SSEN is looking at alternative sites for a substation at Fiddes following huge community backlash.
The energy giant put out proposals to build two substations at Fiddes and Tealing as part of a project for a new 188ft pylon line between Kintore, Fiddes, and Tealing.
But the Mearns community has furiously hit back at the plans, which would result in one of the UK’s biggest substations being built in the tranquil countryside made famous by Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s Sunset Song.
Campaign group Save Our Mearns has been leading the battle.
Now SSEN has announced due to “recognising the strength of feeling”, it will be extending the area of search for the new Fiddes substation.
The electricity giant said if an alternative potential site is identified then further work would be required to then find alternative potential overhead line routes too.
This would require further public consultation as part of the overall project.
SSEN said it expects an update on the alternative site search to be ready in October.
What were objectors’ concerns?
Although the entire project has been criticised, one of the most unpopular parts of the plan was the Fiddes substation.
It will be 2,300ft by 2,300ft, or 120 acres, the same size as the Blackhillock substation near Keith – which was the largest substation in the UK when it was built in 2019.
It would also have been located near the house where famous author Lewis Grassic Gibbon was born and married.
Many detractors, including the houses residents, criticised the plans for “ruining” the tranquility and look of the countryside – made famous by the authors novel Sunset Song.
Farmers unsure if SSEN will go through with changing site
However, the prime agricultural land is still used by farmers today.
The families of Shona and John Alexander have been working the land for more than 60 years.
Now Mrs Alexander cautiously welcomed the news they may consider another site, but said she was finding it “hard to believe”.
She said: “They are stills saying ‘if’ they find an alternative site, so it is all still up in the air.
“It means we will be waiting until October and it is a long time to be having that hanging over you.
“It now means it will not be us suffering but it will be someone else. It would be better if it wasn’t happening at all.”
Campaigners urge SSEN to look at alternatives to overhead lines
Organisers of the Save Our Mearns campaign group Kate Matthews and Tracey Smith are also not convinced a new site will be found.
They have organised another public meeting at Westerton Farmers near Laurencekirk on Saturday at 10.30am.
Mrs Smith said: “We welcome the news that SSEN are looking at alternative sites for the substation, our fear is that this will now become the problem for someone else and that’s not what we want.
“If SSEN are genuine when they say they are listening to feedback then they must also look at alternatives to the overhead lines.
“We urge SSEN to consider offshore to take the power south where it is needed.”
But former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford said today the SNP Government needs to “look people in the eye” and explain pylons are needed to get the country to net-zero.
SSEN: ‘We are listening’
SSEN’s consultation period for the project, which was extended twice, will finish on July 28.
Russell Stewart, regional development project manager, said: “We hope that this demonstrates that we are listening and actively considering local feedback where possible.
“To help inform the identification of a potential alternative site, our teams will continue to balance key environmental and technical constraints, alongside seeking to minimise community and landscape impacts.
“We would once again like to thank all stakeholders who have kindly taken the time to provide their feedback and encourage anyone with an interest in the project who has not yet shared their views to do so.”
On June 14, SSEN Transmission published an initial response to the consultation feedback received so far, addressing some of the key themes which were identified.
West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie said: “I have been in meetings with communities and SSEN and the passion of many people to preserve their beautiful landscape is obvious.
“And I hope that moves such as this will give communities some assurance that their voices can, and will, be heard.”
