Further site visits planned to proposed route of controversial Dumfries and Galloway power line

Further site visits to key locations along the proposed route of a controversial power line are set to take place later this month.

Scottish Government reporter Katrina Rice made trips to places which could be affected by the Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement project in November. But heavy fog meant she couldn’t get a full view of the situation.

Ms Rice will now return at the end of this month. The visits came after a public hearing into Scottish Power Energy Network’s proposals took place in October and November.

A further hearing is due to be held later this month.

SPEN wants to take down some of the existing 132kv infrastructure and install a 400kv connection to upgrade the electricity network.

However, their plans have proven controversial with nearly 1,000 people objecting.

GWP say the new power line – which would feature 30km of cables and more than 100 power lines – would destroy thousands of trees and habitats. They want the power line to be put under ground.

SPEN say putting it underground would have a “significantly higher cost” than above ground and could potentially “have greater effects on environmental considerations such as ecology and archaeology.”