PROPOSED BEAULY – DENNY 400kV PYLON LINE

The final route of the controversial new Beauly-Denny 400kV pylon line is due to be published at the end of this month. Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) will be making their application to the Scottish Executive for permission to construct the new pylon line. The proposed route extends to approximately 220 kilometres and has proved controversial from the outset with a number of protest groups springing up along the route of the proposed line. SSE will soon start sending out wayleave agreements to all landowners and occupiers along the proposed route of the pylon line. It is imperative that owners and occupiers affected by the proposed route consider carefully the terms and conditions of the wayleave agreements they receive.

Richard Fawcus of Bell Ingram, Forfar said “Due to the Scottish Executive’s requirement to obtain 40% of electricity produced from renewable sources by 2020, it is likely that the Scottish Executive will give permission for the line to be constructed. One of the main reasons for the construction of this line is to allow the distribution of electricity from wind farms in the north of Scotland to be connected to the National Grid. It is understood that the existing transmission lines cannot support any further wind farm development and therefore this pylon line will help SSE and the Executive reach their renewable targets.”

“People affected by the proposed new line will be put under a degree of pressure to sign the wayleave agreements and return them quickly to SSE. They will have to live with the new pylon line and therefore obtaining good professional advice is very important. Landowners would be well advised to raise compensation issues now with SSE rather than after the wayleave is signed. They are at their strongest negotiating position prior to the wayleave being signed.”

“Bell Ingram are already acting for a number of owners on the proposed route covering approximately 30 kilometres. We believe that there is strength in numbers and this will significantly help us negotiate better terms on behalf of our clients. You only get one chance to negotiate the terms of the pylon line and compensation for your loss. It is therefore important to obtain good professional advice prior to signing the wayleave agreement. SSE will pay the fees of a suitably qualified agent and it therefore makes sense to employ an agent now in order to protect your interests.”

The new pylon line will not only allow SSE to distribute the electricity from the new wind farms but will also possibly be used as a telecommunications highway. SSE are also likely to issue landowners with a telecommunications wayleave for a fibre optic cable that will be hung on the pylon lines. SSE stand to generate income from letting this cable to companies.

Graham Lumby, the Managing Director of Bell Ingram based at their Perth Office is a specialist in telecommunications. He commented that, “The additional telecommunications wayleave agreement should provide landowners with additional revenue for minimal added inconvenience or disturbance. Since fibre optic cables were first strung on overhead electricity lines in the early 90's, we have been responsible for securing well over 2,000 Telecom Wayleaves, so we have a fair idea of what the commercial rates should be. In terms of the pylon line itself, consideration should also be given to any significant reduction in the value of the property, over and above the wayleave or easement payments offered. In forestry areas, SSE need to remove a significant swathe of trees to leave the line clear of any potential windblow. We are acting for a number of forestry owners and our foresters will be valuing the long-term loss of timber and disturbance in such cases".

Richard Fawcus
Associate Director
Tel: 01307 462516
Email: richard.fawcus@bellingram.co.uk