December 6, 2011
Scotland

Pylon threat for eco-home dream

Lancashire Evening Press, www.lep.co.uk 6 December 2011

A couple’s dream of retiring to an idyllic rural hamlet could be shattered by a 29-metre pylon.

Simon Bailey, 50, thought he had discovered the perfect 35-acre small holding in the sprawling Scottish countryside, to build an eco-home for his retirement.

Mr Bailey, an IT manager, from Out Rawcliffe and his 49-year-old wife invested their £160,000 savings and began planning their future.

But after work on the home in Carsphairn, in Dumfries and Galloway was underway, they discovered ScottishPower had planning permission for a pylon on their land.

He said: “It is not a minor visual downgrade, it literally devastates the view.

“It is not just my view, I am also concerned the community did not realise what was being planned.

“There is already a row of pylons behind hills a bit more sensitively recessed; they thought they were being upgraded.

“It is a nightmare situation. Can you imagine what this feels like when you have sunk your life savings into it?”

Mr Bailey said the development had been discussed with the land’s previous owner but he was not made aware of it until full planning permission was granted in July this year.

He said he is now ready to battle the development and is prepared to go to court if necessary.

He added: “They are legally required to get this ‘wayleave’ document signed otherwise they have no right of access to build the pylon.

ScottishPower needs it from me, I am not going to voluntarily sign that.”

A spokesman for ScottishPower, told the Lancashire Evening Post: “Mr Bailey has been in contact with us regarding the proposed connection for Blackcraig wind farm.

“The route of the line had been discussed with the previous owner of the land, and a number of public consultations have been carried out where our preferred route has been published.”

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/12/06/pylon-threat-for-eco-home-dream/