The Beauly to Denny power line public inquiry grinds on, and we’re now immersed in preparing for the Stirling area session. Friends of the Ochils (FotO) is joining forces with Stirling Before Pylons (StBP) to give evidence to this session, though StBP is substantially the larger partner. FotO is contributing a sum of money towards paying for an expert witness to give technical evidence on visual impact and landscape issues, and has picked up the bill for colour photocopying of certain documents.
Other witnesses on the landscape, visual impact, recreation and amenity issues include Emeritus Professor Mike Thomas from the University of Stirling, who is also the Chair of the Forth Naturalist and Historian group. (A leaflet advertising their annual symposium this year on the landscapes of the Forth valley, including the impact of windfarms, is enclosed either with this newsletter, or with the notification of the AGM). Virginia Wills is also talking about the history of the drove road across Sheriffmuir, and I will also be attending as a witness.
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will be leading a substantial amount of evidence as they are firmly opposed to the proposals in this area and in the Cairngorm National Park. SNH are proposing that the power line should be put underground through nearly all the Stirling Council area, and that it should be put to the west of the city as there is no suitable route that can be found to the east. We are delighted that their views on this issue run very much in parallel to ours, and their evidence will count for a great deal.
Stirling Council is also opposing the proposals, but we understand that they will leave it to SNH to bring the evidence on landscape issues.
FotO info: The Stirling session will take place from 20 November to 20 December, Tuesdays to Fridays, between 9.30am and 5pm. It will be held in the Golden Lion Hotel, King Street, Stirling. Do come along and show your support!
