News Release
John Mayhew, representing the Beauly Denny Landscape Group, gave evidence today at the public enquiry into the highly controversial Beauly to Denny power line. His statement outlined the value attached to Scotland’s landscape and the damage that could be done by the visual intrusion of the powerline proposal.
John Mayhew, Head of Policy and Planning for the National Trust for Scotland, explained:
“Our landscapes contain the record of the achievements of those people who went before us, and form a key part of our national, regional and local identity. They provide the settings which are critical to people’s decisions to stay in or relocate to Scotland, and which can encourage inward investment. They are therefore of fundamental importance to Scotland’s environment, society and economy.”
His report states that the proposed powerline development would significantly adversely affect several places regularly enjoyed by visitors to Scotland, including the Great Glen and Highland Perthshire and would have adverse impacts on views from some of the main routes used by visitors. These landscapes have significant recreational value and both local people and visitors enjoy and value them.
John Mayhew continued:
“The Beauly-Denny Landscape Group is strongly opposed to the proposed development, believing it to be wrong in principle and seriously damaging to nationally significant landscapes. The central issue is therefore whether this undoubted damage to the landscape can be justified by any overwhelming arguments in favour of the development. I do not believe it can.”
END
Editors Notes
The Beauly-Denny Landscape Group is a banner under which the Association for the Protection of Rural Scotland, John Muir Trust, Mountaineering Council of Scotland, National Trust for Scotland, Ramblers Association Scotland and the Scottish Wild Land Group are participating in the Public Local Inquiry for the Beauly to Denny powerline proposal.
Evidence will be given on behalf of the Beauly-Denny Landscape Group by:
- John Mayhew, Head of Policy and Planning, National Trust for Scotland;
- David Jarman, geomorphologist and former Head of Planning West Lothian Council; Stuart Young, construction consultant;
- Professor Roger Crofts, environmental and management advisor, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and former CEO of Scottish Natural Heritage;
- Professor Andrew Bain, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and former professor of economics.
See Inquiry website for full text of evidence given.
