Residents in a Highland village claim they are losing value on their properties and suffering stress over a power giant’s plans to further expand an electricity substation closer to their homes.
The Auchterawe substation, west of Fort Augustus, has already tripled in size over the last four years to accommodate the Beauly to Denny power line upgrades.
And SSE has applied to further expand the substation – over two phases until the end of 2024 – to meet the growth in renewable electricity generation across the region. This includes the Bhlaraidh and Beinnuen windfarm connections and the Coire Glas hydro power station.
But local residents are angry that SSE has opted for a scheme which will involve building to the south-west of the existing substation, closer to their homes.
Yesterday, Auchterawe resident Stephen Lanning said the proposed expansion would bring the substation site boundary within 30 yards of the nearest property, and within 75 yards of his own home.
He said that a proposed new 400Kv high voltage substation as part of the first phase of work would scale a height of 52ft, towering above any bunding or planting used to screen the development.
Mr Lanning, who has lived in his self-built home for 10 years, said: “We have been treated like idiots (by SSE). We’re not against what they are having to do but it’s just the way they have done it.
“When I built my house the substation was so small you did not realise it was there. We bought into peace and quiet, it was idyllic, but now it’s an industrial site.
“It has been going on so long and will continue to, and it’s worn us down. We as residents can’t talk about anything else. It’s had psychological effects. I get two to three hours of sleep a night and I am lying awake every night thinking about this. It’s having an impact on my health and the health of others.”
Mr Lanning said he was forced to take his house off the market after a year in February, as he could not even sell his home for £40,000 less than the market valuation for his property. He stressed his neighbours have experienced similar problems.
His property consultant stated in a letter that the “proximity to the SSE sub station would undoubtedly have an impact on the sale-ability of the house and would put many people off viewing”.
Mr Lanning added: “What I want is for them to compensate for the difference in the value of this house. I think it would be moral and ethical for them to do so.”
SSE consulted with local residents in September 2016 on four possible options for the expansion scheme.
Option A was selected last summer despite unanimous objection by local residents.
Eight objections have so far been lodged against the plans which affect about a dozen properties in Auchterawe.
SSE’s view
A spokesman for Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Ltd said: “Our proposal has been developed in close consultation with the local community and other stakeholders based on a range of economic, environmental and technical considerations. As this is a proposed extension to an existing substation, there are a number of constraints restricting the options available to provide the necessary reinforcement.
“We recognise that with any project of this scale there will inevitably be questions and concerns in the local community, and we remain committed to work with the local community throughout the development of the project.”
The spokesman said that, since April 2014, they have worked closely with local residents to provide updates and that they facilitate and attend a community liaison group for senior management teams to be on hand and address concerns.
He added that they are in the process of sending out targeted mail to raise awareness about the group.