by EWAN LAMB
Twelve years ago Borders farmer Simon Bennett's attempt to erect a small wind turbine to power his business was blocked by council planners who claimed the structure would detract from the iconic landscape surrounding Hume Castle atop a rocky crag.
But now Mr Bennett is fighting proposals by Scottish Power to put up a row of electricity pylons and overhead lines [OHL] even closer to the roofless fort because, he says the towers and cables will threaten his family's health while at the same time wiping hundreds of thousands of pounds from the value of Caldside Farm, near the village of Greenlaw.
The 30 kilometre-long collection of pylons (up to 38 metres high) and OHLs linking sub-stations in Galashiels and Eccles will be the subject of an application to the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit later this year. The project is designed to replace two aging power lines.
In 2012, Scottish Borders Council Planning Committee members rejected Mr Bennett's application for a single turbine after being told by officers: "It is considered that the proposal would undoubtedly create an adverse impact on the views to and from Hume Castle with an unacceptable cumulative impact in conjunction with the two existing turbines nearby.
"I concur with the Landscape Section that the proposal would contribute another high and prominently located structure to views that are already significantly impacted by existing turbines, and by the high pylons. It has not been demonstrated that the development would not have any unacceptable landscape and visual impacts as a consequence of its proposed siting."
It is clear that the likely impact of Mr Bennett's proposal will be dwarfed by Scottish Power's scheme.
But the Bennetts have been told the power company is unable to route the replacement OHL along the same path as the existing line which sits in a valley.
In a letter of objection to the planning authority, Mr Bennett cited the following reasons for his concerns: "Their proposal is to route the replacement just to the south of our farmhouse along some of the highest geographical points in the area. I ask for a review and reconsideration of the proposed route due to the impact on an area of outstanding beauty.
"A viable alternative route is available a short distance to the south; the health risks associated with proximity to OHLs; significant financial impact on the value of our farm and ongoing businesses".
The proposed new towers carrying the OHL will be seen on the skyline for miles around, said Mr Bennett, adding: "The proposed pylons are all significantly higher, wider and closer to Hume Castle than our proposed small wind turbine which was rejected due to its size, proximity to Hume Castle, and detrimental effect on the skyline".
In his reference to health risks, Mr Bennett explained the proposed routing would place the family's farmhouse in the middle of a corridor of OHLs. The health risks associated with exposure to Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs) were well documented. The proposed route at its closest would put the general living area at Caldside under 250 metres from the new OHL - the farm would be in the middle of a hazardous EMF corridor.
The letter of objection added: "We bought Caldside farm to grow the business to hand down to our children, and to have a safe and secure environment to raise our children.
"We have invested in our farmhouse, infrastructure and land, and in the local community, including currently developing a small holiday let business. With the replacement pylons in the proposed locations directly in front of our farmhouse it is estimated that the position of the proposed replacement OHL will reduce the overall value by hundreds of thousands of pounds".
Mr Bennett told us: "The community consultation was ineffective, as the majority of homeowners directed impacted by this routing were unaware. Only those landowners who would have a pylon imposed on their property, or the line went over their property were informed. Those who live within a few hundred feet of this new line will receive no compensation, but their health and property value will be significantly damaged."
He was at a loss as to what more he could do to stop the damage to the health of his family, the huge negative financial impact and the obliteration of one of the best views in the Scottish Borders, all for the sake of Scottish Power not moving the proposed route a short distance to run in a natural valley alongside an existing OHL.
Mr Bennett asked his local MP John Lamont (Con) to intervene on his behalf.
A response to Mr Lamont sent by Laura McGhee, Scottish Power Government Affairs Assistant, set out to answer each of the points raised by Mr Bennett.
She wrote: "Health Risks – EMFs dissipate relatively quickly over a short distance from an overhead line. Please find attached an EMF measurement survey taken from a similar overhead line to that being proposed. Also included is an impartial information document compiled by an independent body on EMFs etc."
Ms McGhee claimed there was no direct evidence to suggest that property values would be affected with the distances between the towers (pylons) and property involved in these circumstances. In relation to the proposals, the project team were considering all feedback received which included the points raised by Mr Bennett.
And, according to Ms McGhee: "Impact on area of outstanding beauty – planning legislation guides SPEN (Scottish Power Energy Networks) in overhead line routing – this involves a documented environmentally led approach also considering both technical feasibility and the economic cost to the public. All potentially significant environmental impacts are being assessed by the team, which include the concerns raised by Mr Bennett. The assessment outcome will further shape the design and any mitigation measures involved. SPENs Land Officers will share the updated proposals with landowners prior to any submission of the planning application.
"Viable alternative route – your constituent mentions potentially following the existing overhead line route for the new replacement overhead line which on the surface is an obvious suggestion – however in the case of replacing an existing overhead line which was built decades ago, the planning regulations do not allow the original route to be followed as the starting point – rather the documented, environmentally led approach is a requirement."
She said SPEN recognised that delivering new national infrastructure projects could be difficult and involved challenges – the company made every effort to consult and work with all stakeholders, including communities and landowners. If the new proposed overhead line received planning permission and was completed, the existing OHL being replaced would be removed, providing a positive visual enhancement at this location.
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