SSEN Transmission proposes new construction traffic route for Fanellan substation, reducing impact on Kiltarlity

SSEN Transmission has proposed a new route for construction traffic servicing its proposed Fanellan substation development, which would significantly reduce impacts on the nearby village of Kiltarlity.

The company has reached an agreement with the Beaufort Estate that would see the vast majority of traffic for the development directed through the estate grounds, effectively bypassing the village.

This proposal follows feedback from the local community regarding concerns over the volume of traffic expected to pass through Kiltarlity during the construction period.

In response, SSEN Transmission has worked closely with The Highland Council’s planning and transport teams to develop the alternative route. This proposal has now been submitted as an update to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) that supports the planning application for the Fanellan development, originally submitted in March.

The new route forms part of a package of traffic mitigation measures for the development, ahead of the potential replacement of the Black Bridge which has been assessed as unsuitable for construction traffic.

SSEN Transmission is currently in discussions with The Highland Council to explore options for securing the long-term future of the Black Bridge. If replaced, the bridge would serve as the main construction traffic route to Fanellan - bypassing Kiltarlity and providing a lasting benefit to the local community.

The replacement would also secure a route for transformer deliveries to the site, currently scheduled for 2029, which would avoid the village.

Callum Petrie, Senior Consents and Environments Manager from SSEN Transmission, said:
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the Beaufort Estate that, subject to approval by The Highland Council, will allow the vast majority of construction traffic to use an alternative route through the estate grounds, bypassing Kiltarlity and significantly reducing the impact on the village.

“This agreement is a direct result of feedback from the local community and The Highland Council regarding the forecasted volume of construction traffic.

“We have worked closely with the local authority to address these concerns and our revised proposals highlight the value of our ongoing engagement with the local community and key stakeholders, with whom we have consulted extensively over the lifetime of this project.

“We thank everyone who has provided feedback and support in helping us develop our alternative traffic route proposals – we now look forward to their consideration as part of our wider planning application.”