A North East MP has raised fears of “under siege” communities after the Labour UK government said Scottish planning law is “holding back” a wave of mega-pylons.
The Great British Energy Bill, currently going through the House of Commons, will create a state energy firm.
However, fears have arisen that following legislation will remove the automatic right to public inquiry for Scottish councils as per the Electricity Act 1989.
Andrew Bowie raised an amendment to the Bill, which would enshrine public consent in the energy infrastructure process.
The West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP pointed to the UK’s record on halving carbon emissions faster than any G7 nation, as proof the country is already going at pace on net zero.
But the Scottish Conservative shadow energy minister was told the next Labour bill will “speed up and streamline the planning process”.
Mr Bowie said:
“Many communities feel under siege because they are hosting this new energy infrastructure…
“Communities in this country face the prospect of new pylons, new energy infrastructure, new substations and battery storage facilities being built in the countryside.
“That industrialisation of the countryside is the reason that we proposed a review to investigate the costs of other technology that would not be so invasive to their communities, their landscape and the land in which they live and work…
“We need to examine whether undergrounding or offshoring could be cost-comparable or preferable to overhead lines when we move forward.
“We need to take the country with us and have a discussion with the country about consent and consultation.”
Michael Shanks, the MP for Rutherglen, said: “This government are now moving forward…
“To deliver the critical infrastructure that this country needs, nationally significant infrastructure must be built.
“Our planning system is holding that back…
“The planning and infrastructure Bill, which we will introduce shortly, will speed up and streamline the planning process.”
This article was originally published in Aberdeen Business News here.
