Better Cable Route Group

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• Welcome

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• Please take a seat | Keep access clear | Please note fire exits

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• Those who may struggle to hear, please come to the front

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• Please complete the sign-in sheets if not done so

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#bettercableroute

Public Meeting�SSEN Pylon Proposals�

4 December 2023

CONTIN COMMUNITY HALL

#bettercableroute

Agenda

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• From us
• Recap
• Campaign update
• Community Councils update and latest from SSEN
• From you
• What does success look like for you?
• Campaign feedback and suggestions
• Next steps

#bettercableroute

Recap

• National Grid: Pathway to 2030 Holistic Network Design�
• Greater grid capacity (“reinforcement”) for renewables from Northern Scotland�
• Combination of overland overhead and marine cables

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Timeline

SSEN proposals

• 400kV reinforcement: overhead cable Spittal-Loch Buidhe-Beauly
• c. 60m high pylons at c. 350m intervals
• c. 80m wide cleared corridor along the length of route
• Huge access tracks and tonnes of concrete

#bettercableroute

Routing Summary:

Dornoch-Dingwall-Beauly

Routing Summary:

Dornoch-Dingwall-Beauly

Routing Summary:

Dornoch-Dingwall-Beauly

Route selection methodology

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• SSEN admitted their desk-based methodology was limited

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• Heavily weighted in favour of designations, technical criteria (and cost)

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• Takes only limited account of visual or other impacts on residents, recreation and tourism interests

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Campaign update

• Website and Facebook
• eNewsletter (300+ subscribers)
• Eventbrite page
• Volunteers WhatsApp group
• Media campaign (press releases and interviews)
• Community events
• Liaison with other campaign groups across the UK
• Tree surveying
• Working with a leading policy and PR agency
• Applying for charitable status (SCIO)

#bettercableroute

Media coverage

#bettercableroute

Core media messages

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• We believe it’s possible to deliver new infrastructure without destroying the amenity of the area, and that a better solution can be found.

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• We want affected communities to be involved in meaningful consultation and co-design.

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• We won’t be bulldozed, but we are willing to engage to help find the best outcome possible.

#bettercableroute

Tree surveying

#bettercableroute

Tree surveying

#bettercableroute

Community Councils

• Maintained lines of communication with SSEN
• Following public meeting Ian Blackford to meet NG and Ofgem
• Walk out with SSEN in September
• SSEN to provide plan for 2050
• ‘Forum’ of Community Councils
• Organising round-table with SSEN, January 2024
• Liaison with local politicians
• Proposals for community benefit funds
• Report on Consultation published 1 December

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Report on Consultation

• Not addressed objections to D1

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• Does include alternative route as an option

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• Highland Council support exploring alternative options

SSEN Report on Consultation

SSEN Report on Consultation

SSEN Report on Consultation

Discussion

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• A route is coming

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• Westminster and Holyrood policy is clear (climate targets, energy needs, national security)

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• We think the community needs to find the least awful route

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What does success look like under these terms?

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#bettercableroute

Next steps

• We need to stay visible and vocal

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• Buy a banner and window stickers

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• Tree surveying

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• Letters to media and decision makers

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• Fundraising

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• Join the campaign team

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#bettercableroute

Want to help? Join us!

Sign up to our mailing list!

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Bettercableroute.com

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bettercableroute@gmail.com

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#bettercableroute

Thank you

• Lovely to see you all

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• Thank you for your contributions

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• Safe journey home

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• Please donate to our fighting fund!

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Timeline