Highland councillors lobbied by campaigners opposing overhead powerlines and substations
Placard-waving campaigners worried about the “industrialisation” of the Highlands from renewables greeted councillors as they arrived for a meeting at Highland Council’s headquarters.
The gathering comprised more than 20 representatives from communities from Caithness to Beauly opposing SSEN’s overhead pylon lines and substations, further onshore wind development and battery storage.
Armed with large banners, they highlighted their concerns about a Social Value Charter for Renewables Investment which was due to be discussed at the meeting but which campaigners fear will encourage more renewable developments in the region.
EXPLAINED: Why are Highland communities protesting about super-pylons?
The proposed document sets out the community benefit expectations the council has from developers wishing to invest in renewables in the area.
But the campaign group, Communities B4 Power Companies, said: “This new and alarming document encourages yet more industrialisation of the Highlands and has been cobbled together with the developer in mind and without any public consultation whatsoever.”
Lyndsey Ward spokeswoman for the group said: “We would urge all Highland councillors to do what is right for the people who elected them into their position of trust and defer from voting on this charter until full and transparent public consultation has been completed.”
Ms Ward called for communities to have their voices heard.
“They are struggling on their own with their own resources ,” she said.
“They are flooded with applications not only for sub-stations and overhead powerlines but onshore windfarms and battery storage.
“Planning is tipped in favour of the developer but we want it tipped in favour of the people who live here.”
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh councillor Liz Kraft, who engaged in a lively debate with campaigners before going into the meeting, said she was not sure that asking for more money from developers was encouraging more to come.
