Highland councillors called on to approve SSEN substation expansion

PLANS for the expansion of a substation just over a mile away from a popular Loch Ness tourist village are being recommended for approval.

SSEN Transmission’s Fort Augustus substation is seen as crucial to the energy firm’s £20 billion upgrade of electricity infrastructure across the north of Scotland for connecting other parts of the Highlands with that network.

The Fort Augustus 400kV substation upgrade project proposes an extension to the existing substation at Auchterawe, as part of an uprating of the Beauly-Denny overhead line to operate at 400kV on both circuits.

One of the circuits has previously operated at 275kV since its energisation.

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The extension proposals comprise platform extension, erection of substation buildings, associated plant and infrastructure, associated ancillary development, drainage infrastructure, temporary construction compound and laydown areas.

Members of Highland Council’s south planning applications committee are being asked to agree officers’ recommendation to grant the application when it comes before them on Tuesday next week.

A report prepared for members indicates no objections to the scheme from statutory consultees except the council’s own ecology officer who fears a “significant deficit of biodiversity” as the result of development.

While referring to a Biodiversity Net Gain report the officer notes a “lack of detail” accompanying this, and says without that detail they cannot confidently assess whether or not the proposed development would accord with requirements.

The report states: “Should planning permission be forthcoming, conditions are advised requiring the submission of a Habitat Management Plan which delivers biodiversity enhancement; GIS data; a Construction Environmental Management Plan; an Environmental Clerk of Works (EnvCoW); undertaking a pre-construction survey, including for any nesting birds.”

Fort Augustus and Glen Moriston Community Council do not object to the application but note “a history of rubbish left outwith the substation by subcontractors”.

The report adds: “Additionally, they noted planting along the periphery of the site has only been partially successful, leaving many empty plastic tree guards.

“As such, they request a condition which states the site must be kept tidy and ensure planting is successful with a method of monitoring and enforcing this.”

The report further states: “Whilst the Ecology Officer objection is noted with regards to a lack of detail regarding off-site habitat creation and enhancement, given the significant number of current and upcoming applications relating to electricity transmission and associated infrastructure in Highland, SSEN are in the process of preparing an overarching strategy for the delivery of offsite biodiversity enhancement across the region.

“The biodiversity enhancement and compensation measures required for this application can be secured by way of a legal agreement which will give Highland Council comfort that mitigation measures will comply with the relevant policies within the Development Plan.”

And it adds: “There are clear impacts that might be expected from this development, particularly during its construction.

“These can be managed through best practice construction management techniques to ensure surrounding interests, particularly road access and the amenity of local communities is safeguarded from the key impacts of the development.

“The attached planning conditions will strengthen and clarify the plans and supporting environmental information provided by the applicant.”

These conditions include that, before any work begins, SSEN should submit for approval the details of a scheme for the delivery of offsite biodiversity enhancement and compensatory woodland planting.

The same terms are laid out for submission of a construction and environmental management plan “containing site specific details of all on-site construction works, post-construction reinstatement, drainage and mitigation…”

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