Community Inter-connector plans for Gravir
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A multi-national energy firm may force the building of massive electricity transmission infrastructure on crofters' land against their wishes it has emerged. Scottish And Southern Energy (SSE) via its subsidiary firm Scottish Hydro-Electric Transmission (Shetl) intend to turn the small rural coastal village of Gravir in South Lochs into an energy crossroads as the central focus for an electricity transmission network. A mass of electrical lines and cables running from planned giant windfarms on Lewis would congregate in Gravir then pass through a large convertor station above the village. The power would then be exported via a huge giant cable, feared to be encased in concrete, running beside houses under the Loch Odhairn sealoch and across the Minch to mainland customers. Furious villagers are opposed to the siting the industrial works on their doorstep particularly as the large Feiriosbhal windfarm has already received planning permission at neighbouring Eishken with even more huge turbines planned. In addition, SSE proposes to build a giant wind scheme in Pairc near the convertor station. SSE has conceded to demands for a face-to-face meeting later this month. But, in a letter to Pairc Community Council, the energy giant warns that if landowners refuse to allow the transmission cabling on their grazings and crofts then "we might have to apply to the Scottish Government for a necessary wayleave." Adam Bruce, SSE's chief of sustainable development, insists that moving the convertor station nearer Stornoway, would need "a large line of transmission pylons to link Arnish and the windfarm developments in Pairc and Eisgein" creating excessive environmental destruction. He accepts that its construction traffic would damage roads but proposes building a new pavement with street lights. Paul Bailey, chairman of Pairc Community Council, said SSE have a "total lack of consideration for the people of South Lochs. He added that SSE has refused to shift the proposed converter station further away onto the adjacent private Eishken estate. Mr Bailey added: "SSE have agreed to attend a public meeting at the end of the month I hope that this meeting will impress upon the representatives of SSE the feelings of the residents of Pairc and help persuade them to take seriously the valid concerns of the residents which they have quite evidently failed to do to date." Hebrides News Website http://www.western-isles.info/page1859.html |
