Woodland stretching almost 20 acres will be bulldozed to make way for a “giant shed,” according to campaigners who have lost a long battle against a proposed Highland substation.
Councillors yesterday (TUES) approved a plan by SSE to build the facility at a riverside beauty spot near Tomatin.
That was despite an Inverness councillor’s claim that the planning application was in breach of Scottish Government and council planning policy aimed at protecting forestry.
The company needs the 40ft high substation for the transmission of electricity generated by the influx of renewable energy projects in the area. It will be obliged to replant trees within an eight-acre area.
Opposing the planning application, city councillor Jim Crawford forced a vote of members who attended an earlier site visit, but lost 19-4 with one abstention.
He argued that SSE failed to explain why the Garbole substation needed to be built in woodland and backed local objectors’ calls for an alternative site to be considered.
“I’ve been told that if they don’t like it they can challenge it in the courts. But they’re private individuals, they can’t afford it,” he said.
Also speaking after the meeting, Pat Wells of the Save Strathdearn Campaign said: “This was expected but very disappointing. It causes a lot of heartache that another beautiful Highland landscape will be despoiled by industrial development, this time a giant shed.
“It wasn’t necessary because there was an alternative site available.”
She added: We’ve spent thousands of hours and thousands of pounds. We’ve got no more money.”
SSE project manager Simon Robertson, said: “As a responsible developer, we’ve gone through a rigorous development process, taking into account a range of technical, environmental and economic considerations.
“Feedback from the local community played an important part in the identification of a suitable location and design, which has been carefully designed to minimise the visual impact of the development in the surrounding area.
“We’re fully committed to keep the local community and other interested parties updated as we prepare for the construction phase.”
