Skye power line approved despite council and resident objections
SSEN's "Skye reinforcement" project seeks to replace the existing, single circuit overhead line which is reaching the end of its operational life, according to the company.
SSEN has said the line needs to be strengthened to maintain electricity to homes and businesses in Skye and the Western Isles, as well as renewable energy developments which are set to rely on the new line to carry electricity into the national grid.
READ MORE: Zonal pricing could save Scottish glass sector £20 million, report says
However, campaigners have said extensive surveys were carried out on SSEN's "preferred route" and no others without informing communities.
It has also renewed calls against a large camp for up to 350 workers which will move to the Skye during the construction of the new electricity line, adding to the population of the town of around 1000 people for an estimated five years.
Food and facilities company Sodexo is seeking permission from Highland Council for a camp for SSEN workers in Broadford, Skye.
To meet the required increased capacity of the replacement line, steel structures will be required from Fort Augustus to Edinbane, extending the existing steel structures where they currently terminate at Broadford; with wooden poles remaining from Edinbane to Ardmore.
Around 15km of the circuit will be undergrounded as it passes the Cuillin Hills and another 9km where it connects to Fort Augustus substation.
The planning submission was submitted to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit in September 2022.
Rob McDonald, managing director of SSEN Transmission, said: 'We welcome this positive decision. The Skye reinforcement project is crucial to maintaining local network reliability and will play an important role in helping the UK achieve its energy security and clean power ambitions.
'This project and our wider investment programme will also be a major driver of jobs and economic growth locally and across the north of Scotland, bringing substantial opportunities for communities and businesses.
'We trust that the Scottish Government's new guidance, setting out a 52-week determination period, will see future projects progress in line with the acceleration needed to achieve the country's clean power mission.
"As we now move to the delivery phase of the project, we are committed to working constructively with local communities and businesses to minimise and mitigate construction impacts, alongside maximising the economic, infrastructure and job opportunities this investment will bring."
The Skye Wind Farm Information Group said they were "deeply disappointed" to learn that the Scottish Government granted planning permission, with Dr Andrew Robinson stating: 'The Highland Council objected to the plans in November 2023. As the local planning authority, such an objection would normally trigger a public inquiry, but, instead planning consent has been given and the council's objection ignored. This is a failure of democracy."
A second camp has also been proposed by Balfor Beauly. It is believed the accommodation could see another 350/400 people in the town.
READ MORE: Views sought on plans for major renewable 'energy park' in Perthshire
Robinson added: "The power line brings with it pylons, quarries, trenches and giant substations at Edinbane and Broadford. The two workers camps proposed either side of Broadford village, housing up to 800 workers are only needed to build the power line and the substations.
"These should have been included in the original planning paperwork for the OHL but instead have been salami sliced into separate applications.
"Whilst SSEN told us the existing line is old and needs replacing, their new power line will be much larger, at a size only necessary to take the electricity from all the wind farms proposed for Skye.
"Other options to build a smaller scale line, replacing the existing infrastructure and allowing some extra capacity for smaller scale community owned wind farms were never properly considered.
"This decision today could be seen as a presumption from the Scottish Government that all the wind farms proposed for Skye will be built.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
SNP warned not to ‘squander' £9.1bn boost after Chancellor Rachel Reeves unleashed £300bn UK-wide splurge
LABOUR challenged the SNP not to 'squander' a £9.1billion boost to Holyrood's coffers after the Chancellor turned on the taps at her spending review. Rachel Reeves unveiled a £300billion UK-wide splurge in a bid to appease voters after her party's rocky first year in power. 2 Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar labelled the extra money as 'game-changing' 2 Finance Secretary Shona Robison claimed that if Ms Reeves was being fair, she'd have sent an extra £1bn a year to Holyrood Announcing her long-term spending plans for the years from 2026, she confirmed major investment in defence and nuclear power plus a three per cent above-inflation increase to NHS spending down south. Ms Reeves admitted 'too many people in too many parts of our country' were yet to feel the benefits of the 'change' they voted for when Labour swept back into power last July. The knock-on effect of the Chancellor's funding pledges means a massive cash boost for the Scottish Government to spend as it sees fit. Nats ministers will get an average annual boost of £2.4billion on day-to-day spending and £400million for major projects in the years to 2029. That's on top of the £4billion-plus yearly bonus delivered last October from the first Budget of Sir Keir Starmer's government. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar labelled the extra money as 'game-changing'. He said: 'These plans will bring billions of pounds of investment to Scotland — on top of the record Budget settlement. 'But the massive increase in funds must not be squandered by the SNP government, which has a track record of waste and failure.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said voters would face a clear choice at next May's Holyrood election. He said: 'It's either a third decade of the SNP, who've squandered their opportunity over the last 18 years and squandered the £4.9billion extra the UK Government gave earlier. Top 5 takeaways from Spending review 'Or a government that's committed to investing in public services and infrastructure, renewing Scotland and working with a UK Labour government to deliver jobs right across the country.' But experts warned the extra cash could be swallowed by Scottish Government pledges such as pay hikes for public sector workers and higher devolved benefits. FUEL AID HOPE NATS' Finance Secretary indicated the SNP might dish out more cash to pensioners after Labour's winter fuel payment U-turn. But Shona Robison refused to commit to passing on all of an estimated extra £120million from Westminster to struggling Scots OAPs. Labour has now said older people down south with an income below £35,000 will receive the handouts, following an outcry when they were axed. Experts reckon the extra funds now due to Holyrood will be enough to cover £100 payments Nats have already pledged to pensioners. Asked if the payments could be increased, Ms Robison said: 'There's other things we need to fund as well which is why we're looking at the options. We'll deliver the best deal for pensioners.' Nats ministers are already set to spend £2billion more on welfare by the end of the decade than they receive from Westminster. But SNP Finance Secretary Shona Robison claimed that if Ms Reeves was being fair, she'd have sent an extra £1billion a year to Holyrood. She said: 'This review is business as usual from the UK Government, which is yet again treating Scotland as an afterthought and failing to provide the funding we need. 'Had our resource funding for day-to-day priorities grown in line with the UK Government's overall spending, we'd have £1.1billion more to spend on our priorities over the next three years. In effect, Scotland has been short-changed by more than a billion pounds.' But despite the extra cash, an expert warned SNP policy decisions mean tax rises or spending cuts may be needed to balance Scotland's books by 2027/28. David Phillips, associate director at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, said the winner of next year's election 'will face tough choices' due to increased NHS, benefits, and public sector pay costs. Earlier, Ms Reeves told the Commons her plans were the start of Labour's project to 'renew Britain'. She vowed to back the Acorn carbon capture project in Aberdeenshire. But official documents raised questions about how the scheme, to store gas emissions under the North Sea, would be funded. NUCLEAR SWIPE AT FM & CO RACHEL Reeves slammed the SNP's opposition to arms factories and nuclear power as she confirmed defence spending hikes. The Chancellor announced an £11billion boost for the armed forces plus a £600million increase for security and intelligence agencies. She also confirmed a £250million redevelopment of the Faslane base on the Clyde, where new nuclear submarines will be stationed. It means defence spending will be upped to 2.6 per cent of GDP by April 2027. Ms Reeves blasted Nats' opposition to nuclear weapons and munitions. She said: 'Investment in Scotland, jobs in Scotland, defence for the United Kingdom, opposed by the Scottish National Party, delivered by this Labour Government.' Sir Keir Starmer previously set out the UK Government's Strategic Defence Review in a speech in Glasgow last week. Nats and Labour clashed as the No10 chief claimed Nats' goal of scrapping Trident nuclear missiles would make Scotland less safe. Sir Keir said: 'Imagine the effect that would have on the safety and security of the UK and of Scotland.' They concluded: 'A final investment decision will be taken later.' Scottish Tory finance spokesman Craig Hoy warned UK taxes will probably have to rise at the Budget this autumn. He said: 'This spend-now-tax-later statement will offer no comfort to those betrayed by the first year of a disastrous Labour Government. 'Taxes remain sky-high and the Chancellor will almost certainly have to hike them further to pay for her spending plans, breaking yet another of her promises.' Mr Hoy added: 'Scots are saddled with two failing, high-tax, left-wing governments — one at Westminster and the other at Holyrood.'
Scotsman
2 hours ago
- Scotsman
Indiana Stone's £2,000 jewellery giveaway
We are giving away up to £2,000 worth of jewellery from our Scottish Gold collection to the 110th person to come through the door on the day. Over £500 of additional prize give-aways throughout the day featuring Scottish gemstone products and jewellery. Free drinks and birthday cake at 2pm to shop customers. 10% off, all day, on all Silver jewellery. NEW SCOTTISH SAPPHIRE COLLECTION TO GO ON DISPLAY Our Managing Director, Adam McIntosh, proposed to his wife with Scottish Sapphire as featured on the BBC one show. It's been 30 years since the last Scottish Sapphire was found and polished. Scottish sapphires are one of the rarest gemstones in the world with prices fetching up to £10,000 per ct. Adam bid on a rare opportunity when a rough Scottish Sapphire came up for sale at Bonham's auction house in November 2021 and secured a rough uncut stone for £100! He now sells his Scottish Sapphire featured jewellery back to Bonhams auction house. Since then, Adam has been painstakingly cutting and polishing his Scottish Sapphire; our collection now equates to over 50 gemstones which are featured in a new dedicated cabinet in our Royal Mile shop at 5 High Street, Edinburgh. This unique display of our rarest gemstone also tells the long tale of Scottish sapphires, their history and formation. Our 10th Birthday celebration on Saturday 14th June will showcase an extraordinary ring - an astonishing 3.3ct flawless Scottish sapphire, with upcycled diamonds and crafted with pure Scottish hand-panned Gold. It's called the Trinity Ring; due to its ornate Celtic Scottish Gold craftsmanship and the 3.3ct stone with 3 being recognised as an auspicious number in Celtic traditions. Scottish sapphires are 1000s of times rarer than diamonds with only a few gem bearing crystals found to date compared to the 26,000 kgs of diamonds that are mined every year! The main market for our Scottish sapphires is engagement rings; our local Edinburgh customers want to propose with something that is rare, unique and has fully traceable Scottish provenance. Scottish Sapphires were found through a chance discovery on The Isle of Lewis in the 1980s when an estate worker was carving out the rock for a new stalking track. A massive world class 242ct Sapphire and an additional shard were found by the late Mr. Ian Combe. The land was quickly sealed off with red tape and later designated as an SSSI. No further mining was allowed and there are no known other deposits of large sapphire crystals in Scotland. BACKGROUND to TWO SKIES Founded by Adam McIntosh in 2004, he started trading from a wheelbarrow on the Royal Mile 20 years ago. Adam was born in Edinburgh and spent his early childhood in Papua New Guinea Living with local tribal people. As reported by the Edinburgh Evening News at the time, at 18 Adam left home and travelled the world looking for rare Gemstones. He risked his life; climbing down mineshafts, getting chased by mafia and had to be escorted by armed guards into dangerous and remote locations. After two years of travelling the world, Adam came to realise that the best gemstones are all under his feet in Scotland. Adam was named 'Two Skies' by a Native American tribe. The tribal leader declared Adam would always have a sky looking over him as he travelled and another sky in his homeland ofScotland. Two Skies specialises in Scottish Gemstone jewellery and Scottish gold. We are so lucky in Scotland; our small landmass holds a huge diversity and volume of world class gemstones such as sapphires, beryl, tourmaline, topaz and aquamarine. The variety of world class semi-precious gemstones in Scotland includes garnet, amethyst, citrine and our national gemstone - Cairngorm, a variety of Smokey quartz. 1 . Contributed Adam 'Two Skies' emerging from a Moonstone mine in Sri Lanka Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 3 . Contributed The 'Trinity Ring' created by Two Skies - an astonishing 3.3ct Scottish Sapphire, with upcycled Diamonds and crafted with pure hand-panned Scottish Gold. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 4 . Contributed Adam 'Two Skies' McIntosh with a rare uncut Scottish Sapphire Photo: Submitted Photo Sales
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Chancellor announces funding for Acorn carbon capture project
The Acorn facility had been overlooked by successive UK governments in recent years in favour of investment elsewhere. But the project – which will store carbon emissions from across Scotland under the North Sea – is in line for 'development funding' from the UK Government, according to the Chancellor's spending review announced on Wednesday. Speaking in the House of Commons, Ms Reeves said: 'Today, I can announce support for the Acorn project in Aberdeenshire, supporting Scotland's transition from oil and gas to low carbon technology. 'A challenge and an opportunity well understood by the leader of Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar and the Scottish Secretary.' It is not clear from the 136-page document released by the Treasury how much funding the project will be given, a fact criticised by SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn. 'The SNP has campaigned for investment in Scottish carbon capture for over a decade, so it is welcome that after years of Westminster delays and funding snubs we have finally secured a measure of progress towards making the Acorn project a reality to create jobs and investment for our communities,' he said. 'However, the glaring omission in today's announcement was any detail on the scale of funding and the timescales for delivery which stands in stark contrast to the £22 billion commitment the Labour Government has already given to carbon capture projects in England. 'Westminster has had 20 years to hammer out the detail on Scottish carbon capture, so it must now deliver meaningful funding and concrete support at pace.' Urging the UK Government to display 'a seriousness about Scotland's energy industry', Mr Flynn added: 'You cannot secure economic growth, energy security and net zero without harnessing the existing skills we have in our offshore industries and without proper investment in key projects like Acorn – the SNP will always demand our resources are used to the benefit the people of Scotland and an end to the absurd circumstances whereby energy bills are going up in our energy-rich country while energy jobs are going down.' Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Russell Borthwick welcomed the news, saying he hoped the funding would 'allow work to proceed on the project's preliminary stages and move it forward'. The Chancellor also announced up to £750 million in funding for the creation of a supercomputer at Edinburgh University which could be one of the most powerful in the world. The plan had previously been scrapped by Ms Reeves in the early weeks of her Government taking office. The Chancellor also announced the Scottish Government would receive an average block grant of £50.9 billion per year over the next three years. Announcing the outcome of the spending review, Ms Reeves laid out increased funding for the NHS and housing, stretching into the billions. However, it remains unclear how the announcements will impact Scottish Government budgets this year. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar praised the spending review as 'game-changing', adding: 'The plans set out today will bring billions of pounds of investment to Scotland, on top of the record budget settlement delivered in the budget. 'From the Acorn Project to a national supercomputer in Edinburgh to our defence industry, this Labour Government is investing in Scotland's future while the SNP carps from the sidelines.'
