Electricity pylon compensation scheme is called for by Aberdeenshire MSP
A call has been made for the Scottish Government to set up a compensation scheme for homeowners whose properties are at risk or have already been devalued from a 70-mile pylon development.
Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett has been contacted by constituents in areas who say the value of their property has fallen by more than 10 per cent since plans were lodged to install two substations and a chain of 190ft pylons from Kintore in Aberdeenshire to Tealing in Angus.
Mr Burnett has also been contacted by a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors valuator who warned there is a risk of lenders declining properties, close to the development, for mortgages due to negative equity.
But in a letter response to his concerns, cabinet secretary for energy, MSP Gillian Martin, revealed that the impact on property values is not considered when determining pylon applications and that there are no “statutory provisions for compensation” when a development is approved.
The planned pylon scheme will run 70 miles and has resulted in hundreds of objections from angry residents, who have attended various consultations voicing their concerns at the development.
Mr Burnett has now written back to Ms Martin, asking her to outline why the Scottish Government is refusing to set up a process to help homeowners whose properties are at risk of being devalued as a result of the proposed pylons.
Mr Burnett said: “I’m extremely disappointed that the Scottish Government has no process for financially compensating those whose properties have been negatively impacted by overhead line routes like Kintore to Tealing.
“These plans will cause significant financial hardship to those who own homes along the proposed routes, with some of my constituents already seeing their properties devalued by more than 10 per cent.
“The negligent attitude of the Scottish Government towards residents whose livelihoods are being put at risk by this has been disgraceful.
“It’s clear from the responses I have received that SNP ministers have no understanding of the magnitude of this issue or are even considering setting up such a process.
“I have therefore written to Gillian Martin again asking why she and her SNP government are refusing to set up a process for homeowners whose properties are at risk or have been devalued by OHL routes.”
Ms Martin said in her response: “Impact on property values is not considered when determining an application made under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.
“Published guidance for processing, considering and determining applications for overhead lines is set out here.
“You have raised homeowners concerns that their properties may be devalued by infrastructure development in their area.
“As I set out previously, there are no statutory provisions for compensation arising from the grant of consent under section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.
“Compensation provisions exist where land, or rights over land, are acquired by compulsion.
“There is no process set out in that Act financially compensating those who consider their property value may be affected.”
