Moray Council votes to oppose new Beauly-Peterhead power line

Moray councillors have voted to raise a formal objection to SSEN Transmission's planned new Beauly to Peterhead power line.

The scheme, spanning 115 miles (186km) from the Highlands to Aberdeenshire, forms part of the electricity company's £22bn Pathway to 2030 programme.

Conservative councillor Marc Macrae described the plans as "vandalism of our countryside".

SSEN Transmission said the project was a "critical step to securing clean, affordable energy".

Following a debate, Moray councillors voted 9-4 in favour of the objection.

Conservative councillors said the development would result in the loss of almost 494 acres (200 ha) of woodland, some of which they said was classed as ancient and native.

They also said there would be a "significant adverse" visual impact on the surrounding landscape and residents.

The section within Moray would measure 37 miles (59km) and contain 172 steel towers measuring between 48 and 72m (157-236ft) high.

Conservative councillor Tracey Colyer said the power line would cause "irreversible changes to the environment and diminish the quality of life for residents".

SNP councillors Jeremie Fernandes and Sonya Warren put forward a motion to back Moray Council officials' recommendation of raising no objection.

However, the pair wanted to add in two further recommendations.

They wanted SSEN Transmission to consider underground cables in areas with the worst visual impact, and asked that a community benefit fund be looked at to compensate the residents living next to the development.

Mr Fernandes believed the application would be approved by the Scottish government regardless of the council's decision and thought the best way forward was to work with the applicant to get the best deal for Moray.

He said: "My motion is one of pragmatism."

SSEN Transmission said it was disappointed by the outcome of the vote and would continue to work with the local authority and others through the planning process.

A spokesperson said: "The project has been developed in line with all relevant policies and legislation, balancing key community and environmental considerations with technical and economic factors.

"The Beauly-Peterhead project represents a critical step towards securing clean, affordable power for families across the country.

"It will help reduce reliance on imported energy from overseas, remove grid bottlenecks, and strengthen energy security at a time when security and affordability matter most."

The spokesperson said the project would also support jobs and economic growth.

The Scottish government has consulted local authorities under a 52-week process to determine whether to give the project the go-ahead.

Reporting by local democracy journalist Olivia Andrews.