NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 6 January 2010 BEAULY-DENNY DECISION On the day of the decision on the Beauly to Denny power line application, Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSPs Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith have criticised the SNP Government for the lack of clarity on the detailed conditions of the planning consent for the line, for not fully exploring alternative options to the Beauly to Denny power line, and for not requiring the line to be undergrounded near Stirling and at other significant parts of the route. Murdo Fraser MSP said: “This was a shambolic announcement from the SNP Government on what has been the most controversial planning application in Scottish history. Energy Minister Jim Mather was incapable of answering a series of simple questions about the mitigation measures or the likely timescale for construction of the new line. “It is vital to communities in Stirling, Perthshire and the Highlands along the pylon route that they are told exactly what will be done to protect their interests. All we are left with today is a fog of confusion. We need urgent clarity from the SNP Government on the detailed conditions of the planning consent for this line. “We need to know what consideration the Scottish Government gave to alternatives to this new line, such as strengthening the east coast line, as proposed by Sir Donald Miller, or sub-sea cables “The Minister must tell us why he did not require undergrounding sections of the line in areas of high scenic value to be done in order to protect landscapes in sensitive locations. In Stirling for example, the new pylons will have a major impact on views to and from the Castle and the Wallace Monument. “Few people would dispute the need to upgrade our grid infrastructure if we are to properly exploit Scotland’s potential in offshore renewables. Nevertheless today’s announcement will be greeted with dismay by residents in Stirling, Perthshire and the Highlands who have campaigned against the line, and also by environmental groups like the John Muir Trust, the National Trust for Scotland, the Ramblers Association, and many others. We finally have a decision but too much is still not clear. “The SNP Government has given the go ahead to a power line that will cut through the Cairngorms National Park, destroy majestic and outstanding landscapes and wildlife habitats in Perthshire, run through the historic Sheriffmuir battlefield and spoil the Wallace Monument and Stirling’s skyline. The SNP Government has not listened to the thousands of concerns and objections to the line and I hope that people will let them know what they think of this decision at the ballot box.” Fellow Mid-Scotland & Fife Conservative MSP Liz Smith said: “The whole process of reaching this decision has been marred by the totally confused approach taken by the SNP Government. To make matters worse, today's statement by the SNP Government has singularly failed to provide any details for the five "mitigations" which the Minister says will apply in certain areas, including Muthill and Stirling. We have no idea what he means nor do we have any accurate information about the timescales involved or whether any further planning permission will be required. “Local communities and campaign groups will, quite rightly, be very angry about the lack of clarity within today's announcement and what will be the expected remit of the liaison groups which the Minister says he will set up to advise on mitigation. “This power line, which has been controversial since day one, will cut through some of Scotland's most scenic and beautiful landscape and yet we are left with many very serious doubts about the process by which the final decision was made. This is an unacceptable state of affairs.” ENDS   back to top of page