Deadline approaches to submit responses to SSEN Transmission’s Fanellan substation planning application near Beauly
The deadline is fast approaching for individuals to submit responses to the planning application for the Fanellan 400kV substation and converter station project near Beauly.
People have until Sunday May 4 to lodge their comments on the application submitted to Highland Council by SSEN Transmission in March.
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The transmission operator says the project is a key strategic development which will play a major role in supporting national energy security and clean power targets.
It is part of its plans to upgrade the transmission network in the north of Scotland.
The submission of the planning application follows three years of development and engagement on the project’s design with local community members and other stakeholders.
But the plans are proving controversial with local residents raising concerns about the scale of the project and the impact during construction including increased traffic volumes.
Kiltarlity residents attending a recent public meeting voted unanimously for their community council to oppose the plans which they say would amount to industrialisation in a rural area.
Beauly Community Council is currently consulting local residents and has been given an extension to the deadline for its response to Friday June 6 to allow time for gathering feedback.
Details of the planning application can be found online at Highland Council’s planning applications page under the reference 25/00826/FUL.
A Highland Council spokesman said although May 4 was the deadline for members of the public to make an in-time representation, any beyond this date would be taken into account up to the point of determination of the application.
“With regard to consultee consultation periods, it is often the case that community councils request an extended period to respond to tie in with their own meeting dates,” he said.
“This is accommodated by the planning authority and any extension given to one community council, is again applicable to all other community councils.
The substation application is targeted to go to the South Planning Applications Committee in the third quarter of 2025 with a precise date yet to be confirmed.
Find out more about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.
