A major proposal to build a vast electricity substation near Tealing in Angus has sparked widespread opposition, with over 1,700 formal objections submitted to Angus Council.
The development, lodged by SSEN Transmission, would see a 200-acre substation constructed at Balkemback Farm, forming a key part of a proposed 400kV ‘super-pylon’ route running from Kintore in Aberdeenshire to Tealing. If approved, the site would span an area equivalent to nearly 30 football pitches.
The plans have triggered alarm among residents, community councils and farmers, who fear the impact on the local landscape, property values, environmental quality and agricultural viability. Several local community councils, including those in Tealing, Strathmartine, Forfar, Kirriemuir and Inveresk, have voiced their opposition, alongside campaign groups Stop Tealing Industrialisation Group (STIG) and the Angus Pylon Action Group (APAG). The two groups submitted a 28-page objection, arguing that SSEN has failed to demonstrate a wider need for the project.
Concerns over the loss of productive farmland have been particularly prominent. In the Scottish Parliament, North East MSP Tess White said the development was causing “alarm and trauma” in rural communities.
“The industrialisation of the North East by SSEN’s monster pylon plans is causing alarm and trauma,” she said.
“Farmers, along with other stakeholders, have raised serious concerns about the loss of prime agricultural land because of the overhead lines. There are also worrying implications for the use of farming machinery, including autonomous tractors.”
Ms White warned that the proposals would result in major disruption to farming operations, with serious implications for food security and the viability of rural livelihoods.
In response, agriculture minister Jim Fairlie admitted in Parliament that “the Scottish Government has not made such an assessment at a national or regional level.” He added that while the government holds various data sets on land use, “they alone could not support an assessment of potential loss of agricultural land.”
After the exchange, Ms White said:
“I’m appalled that the Scottish Government has made no assessment of the loss of agricultural land to pylons.
“This underlines that farmers are being ignored and are seen as an afterthought by both the SNP government and SSEN throughout this planning process.
“During these uncertain times, food security and the protection of our farmland has never been more important.”
SSEN Transmission stated that the Emmock substation site was selected through an extensive site assessment process that included technical and environmental evaluations, along with community consultation. A spokesperson said community feedback had helped refine the design by reducing the platform height and repositioning features to minimise visibility.
“The substation is a key part of our plans to upgrade the electricity network in the north of Scotland in support of national clean power and energy security ambitions – we are working with Angus Council as part of the planning process, as we seek the timely determination of our application,” the company stated.
Angus Council will make the final decision on the substation, while the overall super-pylon line falls under the remit of the Scottish Government. The outcome of the application is expected in due course.
