ScottishPower received consent from Scottish Ministers in January 2010 for an overhead power line.  As part of the approval, we were asked to devise mitigation proposals for the overhead line at certain locations in the Stirling area.  Following an in-depth voluntary consultation  exercise we submitted our proposals to the Government after considering in detail and with expert input, all comments and requests made by Stirling Council and the wider community.
 
Whilst consent was granted for an overhead power line,  a total of 22 options for partial and total undergrounding have been considered. This re-affirmed our position that undergrounding cannot be justified on the grounds of cost, technical difficulties and limited environmental benefits.  This is in line with the view of the Reporter and, in approving the overhead power line, Scottish Ministers.

ScottishPower will now be seeking clarity from the Scottish Government following today’s announcement. We also look forward to meeting again with Stirling Council to consider any new information that they may have which has not already been fully scrutinised during the five year Public Inquiry or during our own lengthy voluntary consultation.
 
It is essential that we seek to avoid further delays in delivering this project of national strategic importance.

ScottishPower Stirling Visual Mitigation Scheme Submission Letter

Media Information: Simon McMillan, 0141 566 4875 / 07753 622 257