To give a better understanding of SSEN’s proposed upgrade to the line between Inveraray and Crossaig, it has developed a web-based interactive summary of the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report. This interactive summary, interactive maps, visualisations and other information and is designed to be viewed on a wide range of devices and formats, for example Android and Mac, tablets, laptops and phones. To view, please copy and paste the following link: https://rambollglobal.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=5d7cd7763351406db34a81321aaa9672

Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (SHE Transmission) has today submitted a consent application to the Scottish Government for the Inveraray – Crossaig project to install a 275 kV overhead line (to be initially operated at 132 kV) between Inveraray substation and Crossaig substation. A copy of the application, with a plan showing the land to which it relates, together with a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report discussing the Company’s proposals in more detail are available for inspection, free of charge. This can be accessed during normal opening hours at Cambpbeltown Customer Service Point, Tarbert Library and Lochgilphead Customer Service Point. The EIA Report can also be viewed at The Scottish Government Library, at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ; or through the Scottish Government portal http://www.energyconsents.scot/. For further information, or to request either a USB flash drive copy of the report (at a charge of £10) or a free short non-technical summary, please contact the project Community Liaison Manager, Kelly Scott. Any representations to the application may be submitted via the Energy Consents Unit website at www.energyconsents.scot/Register.aspx; by email to The Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit mailbox at representations@gov.scot or by post, to The Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation.

The project team would like to extend thanks to all members of the public who took the time to attend our public pre-application consultation events or contributed feedback towards the proposals at any stage of the process. The third set of events held in Inveraray, Ardrishaig, Tarbert, Skipness and Carradale between the end of September and start of October this year, enabled our project team to showcase the further developments made on the proposals and receive comment on the preferred route alignment. The closing date for feedback was 3 November 2016 and all responses received are currently being reviewed ahead of final project refinement prior to submission of a planning application.

You can find the Inveraray to Crossaig Consultation Document in the "Project Documentation" section, titled ‘Inveraray to Crossaig 275 kV OHL Alignment Selection Consultation Document’. The associated Figures are also available for download. The Consultation Document and Figures provide a summary of the alignment choices considered during the design process which has been carried out since the last public exhibition in March 2016. The alignment choices we have considered are included, along with the reasons for our choice of Preferred Alignment. This document was provided to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consent Unit and Statutory Consultees in June 2017.

We have sought a scoping opinion from the Scottish Government for the proposed Inveraray-Crossaig overhead line. Copies of the scoping request and supporting information can be accessed within the project documentation tab. The purpose of the scoping request is to establish the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

As the project team continue to establish a route alignment for the replacement overhead line, further consultation on the Inveraray-Crossaig project is now scheduled for Autumn 2017. However, as we aim to ensure that the local community are well informed of the work that has been carried out since the last public consultation; an in-depth project newsletter shall be published in the summer time. The newsletter shall involve details of the survey work undertaken, changes to the initial proposals and further details of the environmental constraints currently being considered. There will also be an opportunity to provide feedback on the newsletter which will be digitally uploaded to the project webpage. If you would like to receive a hard copy of the newsletter once published, please email the project Community Liaison Manager to register your interest and provide an address.

During the most recent public consultation events held for the Inveraray-Crossaig Overhead Line Reinforcement Project in March 2016, the indicative project timeline displayed further consultation events scheduled for August 2016. In late summer the project underwent a period of review resulting in a postponement of consultation. We are continuing to progress with the project and are currently in the process of identifying a route alignment. Public consultation events displaying the route alignment are intended to be held in the first quarter of 2017. Once dates are selected in the New Year the events will be publicly advertised and local communities informed. If you have any questions regarding the project or further consultation dates, please do not hesitate to contact our Community Liaison Manager, Kelly Scott.