ASH undertook and co-ordinated an environmental assessment for a new 132 kV wood pole overhead line between Quoich and Aberchalder (near Invergarry) in the Highlands of Scotland

The existing steel lattice line in this area forms part of the single circuit connection to Skye and the Western Isles. Construction of the new 132 kV wood pole line will provide additional and more secure connections in this area, whilst allowing refurbishment of the existing line.

Key Tasks

Route / site options appraisal

Screening and Scoping

EIA coordination and project management

Stakeholder consultation

Public consultation

What we did

Prior to submission of a Section 37 Application under the Electricity Act (1989), ASH prepared a Screening Report for issue to the Scottish Ministers to determine whether the project would be classed as 'EIA Development'. In September 2018, Scottish Ministers confirmed that the application was not required to be accompanied by a full Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Nevertheless, in recognition that some environmental effects may arise, ASH prepared an Environmental Appraisal and put forward appropriate mitigation measures. The environmental topics considered comprised ornithology, terrestrial ecology, hydrology and hydrogeology, landscape and visual, and cultural heritage. Potential impacts in relation to traffic and private water supplies were also considered, and a Woodland Report was prepared detailing the felling requirements.

Key environmental considerations for the project related to the following: proximity to some of the component waterbodies of the West Inverness-shire Lochs Special Protection Area; felling requirements (given that a large part of the overhead line is routed through commercial forestry); potential landscape and visual effects; and potential effects on sensitive habitats and protected species. Through the environmental appraisal process, ASH advised SSEN on opportunities to mitigate potential effects, including alignment micro-siting.

Consent for the project was granted by Scottish Ministers in October 2019.

 

 

Find out more

We’re always happy to answer your questions. If you’d like to find out more about the services we can offer for your project, you can email us on info@ashglasgow.com or call 0141 227 3388.