Row over inquiry dates' clash with Royal Highland Show

The Scottish Government has been criticised after opponents of SSEN’s ‘super-pylons’ scheme failed to force a switch of dates for a public inquiry to avoid a clash with the Royal Highland Show.

Hearings will be held over four days in Aberdeenshire and Angus, where plans for the 70-mile Kintore-Tealing pylon route attracted more than 11,000 objections.

A photograph of eye-catching sheep at the Royal Highland Show in a previous year.

placeholder image — A photograph of eye-catching sheep at the Royal Highland Show in a previous year.

Campaigners celebrated securing the inquiry after Angus councillors unanimously voted to reject SSEN’s plans to link its 400kV network of pylons across the North East.

But farmers will only be able to take part in the first two days of the inquiry in Aberdeenshire, as the Angus dates clash with the Royal Highland Show between June 18 and 21.

The hearing dates were set as June 16 - Kintore; June 17 - Banchory; June 18 - Brechin; June 19 - Tealing. A plea by NOTKUP legal counsel John Campbell KC to alter the dates has been rejected.

All individuals, groups and community councils which completed an “opt in” notice to the DPEA were required to do so again by midnight on Tuesday.

Tracey Smith, who is standing for the Scottish Conservatives in Angus North and Mearns in May’s election, said: “Considering there are major concerns about what will happen to farmland and the safety of running vehicles underneath the proposed new lines, it’s ridiculous there’s been no thought paid to Angus farmers.

“The Royal Highland Show is a focal point of the entire year for many families, and if I were being cynical, the timing is suspect.”

Angus MacMillan Douglas, Angus South candidate adde: “This public inquiry is going to impact on everyone in Angus regardless of how you feel about the visual aspect.

“Most of the dairy and meat products we get in this part of Scotland can be sourced from local farms. Destroying grade A land is only going to ramp up imports, put people out of work, and we’ll end up with lower-quality food.”

Scottish Government officials said the clash was not raised at a preliminary inquiry hearing. Putting the hearings back would cause difficulties for other parties and planning and environmental appeals division staff.

A delay until late August was also ruled out but statements can still be submitted.