Consultation Document – Overhead Line Alignment Selection Fort Augustus – Skye Project February 2018 REF: LT91 Rev Prepared Approved Checked By Date of Issue By By 0 ASH AC JT 03/10/2017 1 SSEN FW MB 15/02/2018 ASH / 2 AC JT / FW 23/02/2018 SSEN 1 CONTENTS GLOSSARY 4 PREFACE 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 7 1. INTRODUCTION 8 1.1 Purpose of Document 8 1.2 Document Structure 8 1.3 Next Steps 8 2. THE PROPOSED TRANSMISSION PROJECT 9 2.1 The Need for the Project 9 2.2 Proposed Transmission Project Overview 10 2.3 Proposals Overview 10 2.4 Access during Construction 11 3. ROUTE SELECTION PROCESS 13 3.1 Introduction 13 3.2 Methodology 13 3.3 Corridor Selection 13 3.4 Route Selection 14 3.5 Preferred Route 29 4. ALIGNMENT SELECTION PROCESS 30 4.1 Introduction 30 4.2 Alignment Selection 30 4.3 Alignment Appraisal 31 5. CONSULTATION ON THE PROPOSALS 39 5.1 Questions for Consideration by Consultees 39 5.2 Next Steps 39 2 Appendices Appendix 1: Environmental Appraisal of Preferred Alignment Appendix 2: Comparative Appraisal of Additional Route Options (Sections 0, 3, 4 and 5)* Appendix 3: Further Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (Sections 2 and 3)* Figures Figure1: Preferred Route Figure 2.1 to 2.18: Alignment Options and Environmental Constraints (Sections 0 to 6) Figure 3.1 to 3.6: Alignment Options and Environmental Designations (Sections 0 to 6) Figure 4.1 to 4.6: Preferred Alignment (Sections 0 to 6) Visualisations* 1. Loch Sligachan Caravan Park 2. Loch Sligachan Car Park Viewpoint 3. North of Loch Ainort 4. Bridge on Moll Road 5. Donald Murchison’s Monument 6. Kylerhea RSPB Hide 7. Glen More Gate (from crossing point) 8. Bealach Aoidhdailean (South) 9. Bealach Aoidhdailean (North) 10. Gleandubhlochain, Valley NW of 11. Kinlochhourn from road 12. Loch Coire Shubh 13. Glen Quoich Crossing 14. Loch Quoich Dam 15. A82 Aberchalder 16. A82 (Abertarff Place), Fort Augustus 17. B862 Fort Augustus * Note that in the printed version of this Consultation Document these are bound separately to the main report for ease of reference. 3 GLOSSARY Term Definition Alignment A centre line of an overhead line , along with location of key angle structures. Amenity The natural environment, cultural heritage, landscape and visual quality. Also includes the impact of SHE Transmission’s works on communities, such as the effects of noise and disturbance from construction activities. Conductor A metallic wire strung from structure to structure, to carry electric current. Consultation The dynamic process of dialogue between individuals or groups, based on a genuine exchange of views, normally, with the objective of influencing decisions, policies or programmes of action. Consultation Document Issued by SHE Transmission in September 2016 Corridor A linear area which allows a continuous connection between defined connection points. The corridor may vary in width along its length; in unconstrained areas it may be many kilometres wide. Environmental Impact A formal process set down in The Electricity Works (Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 used to systematically identify, predict and assess the likely significant environmental impacts of a proposed project or development. Gardens and Designed The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes lists those gardens or Landscapes (GDLs) designed landscapes which are considered by a panel of experts to be of national importance. Habitat Term most accurately meaning the place in which a species lives, but also used to describe plant communities or agglomerations of plant communities. Kilovolt (kV) One thousand volts. Listed Building Building included on the list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest and afforded statutory protection under the ‘Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997’ and other planning legislation. Classified categories A – C(s). Micrositing The process of positioning individual structures to avoid localised environmental or technical constraints. Mitigation Term used to indicate avoidance, remediation or alleviation of adverse impacts. National Scenic Area A national level designation applied to those landscapes considered to be of (NSA) exceptional scenic value. Overhead line (OHL) An electric line installed above ground, usually supported by lattice steel towers or poles. PAT (Predicting Aquila PAT model is a Geographical Information System (GIS) tool that can be used Territory) Model to predict the range use of resident pairs of golden eagles using a minimum of information, including a measure of the territory centre. It can also be used to predict the extent of range loss. Plantation Woodland Woodland of any age that obviously originated from planting. RAG Rating Each topic within the environmental, technical and cost categories should be considered in terms of the potential for the development to be constrained and a Red/Amber/Green (RAG) rating applied as appropriate. Riparian Woodland Natural woodland home for plants and animals occurring in a thin strip of land bordering a stream or river. Route A linear area of approximately 1 km width (although this may be narrower/wider in specific locations in response to identified pinch points / constraints), which provides a continuous connection between defined connection points. 4 Term Definition Routeing The work undertaken which leads to the selection of a proposed alignment, capable of being taken forward into the consenting process under Section 37 of the Electricity Act 1989. Scheduled Monument A monument which has been scheduled by the Scottish Ministers as being of national importance under the terms of the ‘Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979’. Semi-natural Woodland Woodland that does not obviously originate from planting. The distribution of species will generally reflect the variations in the site and the soil. Planted trees must account for less than 30% of the canopy composition Sites of Special Scientific Areas of national importance. The aim of the SSSI network is to maintain an Interest (SSSI) adequate representation of all natural and semi-natural habitats and native species across Britain. Span The section of overhead line between two supporting structures. Special Area of An area designated under the EC Habitats Directive to ensure that rare, Conservation (SAC) endangered or vulnerable habitats or species of community interest are either maintained at or restored to a favourable conservation status. Special Landscape Area Landscapes designated by The Highland Council which are considered to be of (SLA) regional/local importance for their scenic qualities. Special Protection Area An area designated under the Wild Birds Directive (Directive74/409/EEC) to (SPA) protect important bird habitats. Stakeholders Organisations and individuals who can affect or are affected by SHE Transmission works. Study Area The area within which the corridor, route and alignment study takes place. Terminal Structure A structure (tower or pole) required where the line terminates either at a substation or at the beginning and end of an underground cable section. The National Grid The electricity transmission network in Great Britain. Volts The international unit of electric potential and electromotive force. Wayleave A voluntary agreement entered into between SHE Transmission and a landowner upon whose land an overhead line is to be constructed Wild Land Area (WLA) Those areas comprising the most extensive areas of wild characteristics within Scotland. 5 PREFACE This Consultation Document has been prepared to seek comments from all interested parties on the preferred alignment identified for the proposed Fort Augustus – Skye Project between Fort Augustus Substation and Dunvegan Substation. Initial public exhibitions have already been undertaken in order to provide local communities the opportunity to provide feedback as early on in the process as possible. These were held in Fort Augustus, Glenelg, Kyleakin, Dunvegan and Invergarry. A total of 85 people attended the meetings and 16 written feedback forms and emails were received. The feedback received at the meetings was generally positive, with attendees feeling they had been provided with a good level of information on the proposed transmission project. The Consultation Document is available online at www.ssen-transmission.co.uk/projects/fort-augustus-skye/ Copies will be placed for public viewing during normal working hours at the following locations: Fort Augustus Service Point Memorial Hall, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DJ Invergarry Post Office Invergarry, PH35 4HG Glenelg Post Office Glenelg, Kyle, IV40 8JR Broadford Library Library/Service Point, Old Quarry Industrial Estate, Broadford, IV49 9AB Portree Highland Council Service Point Tigh na Sgire, Portree, Highland, IV51 9GP Dunvegan Post Office Dunvegan, Isle of Skye IV55 8GU Further public exhibitions will be held following analysis of the consultation responses received to this document. Comments on this document should be sent to: Lisa Marchi Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission PLC 10 Henderson Road Inverness IV1 1SN Email: [email protected] Mobile: 07825 015507 All comments are requested by 30th March 2018. 6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Consultation Document invites comments from all interested parties on the proposals by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (SHE Transmission Plc) to construct a new 132 kV overhead line between Fort Augustus substation and Dunvegan substation. The existing 132 kV overhead electricity transmission line from