SNP approval of Beauly-Denny line slap in the face for people of Stirling

Following the Ministerial Statement on the Beauly to Denny power line, local MSP Murdo Fraser has attacked the SNP for favouring multi-national companies over the views of local people.

Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, Murdo Fraser MSP said:

"The announcement by the Minister today of the approval of the Scottish Power visual impact scheme is a slap in the face of the people of Stirling. The additional mitigation measures amount to very little given the huge visual impact of the new pylons close to the Ochils and the Wallace Monument.

"These proposals faced widespread and united public opposition in the Stirling area. I attended a number of public events where that view was made very clear. Every political group on Stirling Council, including the SNP, were unanimous in their view that the line should be undergrounded in the Stirling area, and that nothing less would do. What a tragedy that the SNP Government has ridden roughshod over not just public opinion, but the views of their own Council group.

"The Minister made great play of the costs of undergrounding, but in relation to the billions we are spending on supporting renewable energy projects the figures involved are minimal.

"I would ask the Minister, in relation to this and future developments, what is the point of public consultation, if at every turn his Government will favour the multi-national company over local people, if they put Scottish Power before Scottish people?"

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