On 06 January 2010, following a lengthy public inquiry, Scottish Ministers granted consent to construct and operate the Beauly Denny overhead line in the SPT licence area between the Wharry Burn, Dunblane, and Dunipace, Denny.
In approving the overall scheme Scottish Ministers required SP Energy Networks to develop measures for the mitigation of the landscape and visual impact of the towers and overhead line.
The Stirling Visual Impact Mitigation Scheme (SVIMS) was subsequently prepared under a process of detailed consultation with the Local Authority, statutory bodies and technical specialists. In addition members of the public had the opportunity to comment and shape the proposals. SVIMS can be viewed below.
In the creation of SVIMS the opportunity for further improvements to landscape amenity emerged. These plans are in addition to the proposals already outlined by SP Energy Networks.
To develop these landscape improvements in the overhead line corridor between the scarp of the Ochil Hills and Glenside SPEN worked in partnership with local groups and other delivery bodies. By capturing ideas and opportunities that are important locally projects have been identified that will help to deliver landscape and visual improvement and support local initiatives.
What Happens Next?
A number of potential projects and ideas were submitted covering a geographical spread across the defined mitigation corridor. An exercise of review, mapping and assessment was then carried out in close consultation with local community groups allowing the projects to be discussed and reviewed in terms of their scope, cost, deliverability and compliance with the mitigation framework criteria. Consideration was also given to linkages and overlaps between projects.
In addition to the local community, stakeholders including Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB, SNH, SEPA, Inner Forth Landscape Initiative, Ochils Landscape Partnership and others were also involved in the process which has now moved to the next phase of delivering the selected projects. Please see the link below to a presentation providing detailed information on the process and projects involved. Due to the nature of the projects, the delivery on the ground will take place over three planting seasons and should be completed by 2018.
Mitigation Documents
Visual Mitigation Archive
Useful Links