A PROPOSED 132KV, WOOD POLE, OVERHEAD LINE CONNECTION BETWEEN STRANOCH AND CHIRMORIE WIND FARMS AND MARK HILL SUBSTATION
Scottish Power Transmission plc (SPT) as the transmission license holder on behalf of Scottish Power Energy Networks Holdings Ltd (SPEN) has submitted three applications to the Scottish Government for Section 37 consent and deemed planning permission under section 57(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 for the overhead line connections and associated access arrangements necessary to connect both Stranoch wind farm and Chirmorie wind farm to Mark Hill substation across the local authority areas of South Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway areas.
The proposal development
The supporting environmental appraisal report provides information to support all three applications and is also provided in order to meet the applicant’s obligations to preserve amenity and mitigate environmental effects under Schedule 9 of the Electricity Act 1989.
The overhead line applications include:
- One application to cover the section of the proposed development from Stranoch wind farm substation to pole 119;
- One application to cover the section of the proposed development from Chirmorie wind farm substation to pole 119;
- One application to cover the section of the proposed development from pole 119 to pole 001.
The proposed development also includes a section of underground cable for the final approach into Mark Hill substation which constitutes permitted development under Class 40 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 (as amended). This underground cable section would not be subject to assessment as part of the S.37 consent applications.
The location of both the consented Stranoch and Chirmorie wind farms and the Mark Hill substation, as well as the proposed overhead line is shown in the attached figures.
Duties under the Electricity Act 1989
As the transmission license holder in south west Scotland, SPT has a duty under Section 9 of the Electricity Act 1989 to develop and maintain an efficient, coordinated and economical system of electricity transmission and to facilitate competition in the generation and supply of electricity. The company also has obligations to offer non-discriminatory terms for connection to the transmission system, both for new generation and for new sources of electricity demand.
SP Energy Networks is also responsible for developing the transmission system and connecting new demand and generation to the grid network in accordance with the GB Security and Quality of Supply Standards. Under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989, SP Energy Networks is required to seek consent from the Scottish Ministers for the construction of any non-exempted OHL operating at a voltage greater than 20 kilovolts (kV).
Representations to the Scottish Government
Any representations to the applications may be submitted via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot/Register.aspx; by email to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at representations@gov.scot; or by post to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation. Please note that there may be a delay in the Energy Consents Unit receiving representations by post.
Written or emailed representations should be dated, clearly stating the name (in block capitals), full return email and postal address of those making representations. Only representations sent by email to representations@gov.scot will receive acknowledgement.
Please note that the application reference number must be clearly stated in the representation. If the representation applies to one or more of the applications, the relevant reference numbers must also be stated.