Ramblers Scotland response to Beauly Denny decision

News release

Dave Morris, Director of Ramblers Scotland, said:

The Scottish Government claims to be a European leader in clean green energy but no other European country would surely permit such a powerline to be built through its wildest, most beautiful mountains. This has been a deeply flawed planning process with no effective scrutiny of suitable alternatives, including a potential east coast powerline upgrade and subsea options. The public inquiry left Scottish politicians in a “take it or leave” situation with no options and no plan for what is required in the development of the Scottish grid as a whole.

It is likely to be many years before work can start on the Beauly Denny powerline. During that time potential legal challenge to the Minister’s decision as well as a potential rethink on whether Beauly Denny is the best value for money option are clouds on the horizon for the developers. Those seeking election to the next Westminster and Holyrood parliaments need to be asked where they stand on the Beauly Denny planning decision and whether there are other reasons why this massive assault on the wild land of Scotland should be abandoned.

ENDS