Beauly Denny 400kV Transmission Line Project

Transcription

1 Beauly Denny 400kV Transmission Line Project Environmental Liaison Group - Meeting Minute Date: Location: The Cottage, Inveralmond Industrial Estate, Perth Meeting Environmental Liaison Group: Meeting No 2 Attendees: Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) Chris Meek Environmental Project Manager (CM) - Chair Richard Cook Project Support Manager (RC) SP Energy Networks (SPT) Ross Baxter Environmental Manager (RB) Richard Wylie Overhead Line Construction Manager (RW) Planning Authorities Ken McCorquodale (The Highland Council (THC)) - (KMcC) Mathew Hawkins (Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA)) - (MH) Brian Stanford (Perth & Kinross Council (PKC)) - (BS) Peter Morgan (Stirling Council) (PM) Consultees Pat Haynes (Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA)) - (PH) Kirsten Thorburn (SEPA) - (KT) Brian Roxburgh (SEPA) (BR) Dave Batty (Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH)) - (DB) Nicholas Shepherd (Forestry Commission (FCS)) (NS) Others Graham Tennant (Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Limited (BBUSL)) (GT) Apologies: Consultees Adele Shaw (Historic Scotland (HS)) - (AS) Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) John Buchan Overhead Line Construction Manager (JB) Andy Huthwaite Senior Project Manager (AH) Circulation: Attendees, apologies and website

2 Meeting Note: No 2 Actions 1. Apologies and Introductions 1.1 Apologies had been received by CM from those listed above. 1.2 CM welcomed all parties to the meeting on behalf of SSE and SPT. 2. Current Situation 2.1 CM updated the meeting on the current situation with regards to SSE progress. SSE are currently working to discharge pre development conditions as quickly as possible. CM confirmed that some information has already submitted to the Scottish Government for sign off and SSE are awaiting feedback on these submissions. 2.2 RB updated the meeting on the current situation with regards to SPT progress. SPT are currently only working on their proposed mitigation as required by their planning conditions, they hope that they will be ready to submit this by the end of June at this time. 2.3 CM stated that the mitigation proposal within the SSE area is being assessed and discussed with appropriate parties and that the rationalisation projects were being forwarded in line with the details of the consent, applications to the Scottish Government for both of these are expected to be the middle of April. 2.4 The process for approvals for the proposed rationalisations was discussed and details requested via the minutes. CM stated that the process is as follows: SSE prepare the outline scheme proposals SSE submit the proposals to the Scottish Government The Scottish Government submit the proposals to the relevant Councils for consultation The relevant Councils consult with appropriate bodies The Councils respond to the Scottish Government The Scottish Government responds to SSE SSE prepare and submit appropriate applications to gain the necessary consents for the rationalisation schemes. 3. Conditions Tracking, Consultation and Sign Off 3.1 A draft conditions tracking register was presented at the last meeting, this will be RC sent to the members of the ELG for them to review and provide comments. RC stated that this will only be for the SSE area at this time. 3.2 Sign off and consultation was discussed, the following members indicated that KT / DB they would be the main points of contact for their organisations KMcC, BS, PM, MH, DB, KT. Page 2

3 SNH and SEPA will provide details of local contacts for area specific discussion and works as soon as possible. 3.3 DB asked whether the conditions tracking register could be put on line for access by all, this would provide an easy way for people to check on progress re: conditions and sign off. RC stated that he would look into this. RC 4. Terms of Reference for the ELG 4.1 A draft proposal for the Terms of reference for the ELG was tabled by CM for discussion. The ELG felt that the role of the ELG is to provide advice to the developers and that the Terms of Reference should reflect this. 4.2 RB suggested that the terms of Reference should include the conditions and the role of the ELG as detailed within the CPH, it was agreed that this would form an appendix to the rear of a short, bulleted page with the role of the ELG set out. It was agreed that the roles of each relevant party within the ELG should be included. It was agreed that CM would draft the Terms of Reference and circulate asap for sign off at the next ELG meeting. CM 5. Construction Procedures Handbook (CPH) 5.1 CM stated that the CPH is still being checked and made ready for issue for comment, it is hoped that this process will be substantially complete after the next ELG meeting. CM 5.2 Discussions were held on the timescales for comment on the CPH and the availability of the document, the agreed way forward was as follows and does not change from the previous meeting although a timescale of 28 days was agreed as being suitable for comment: In line with the planning conditions, letters are to be sent to the following parties: affected landowners local authorities statutory consultees other parties who have provided comments to the applicant The letter will detail the requirements for comment (timescales, address for comment, details etc) and the availability of the CPH with the following hierarchy: available online website to be confirmed available digitally CD copies can be issued if requested available as hard copy hard copies can be issued if requested It was agreed that the appendices would not form part of the initial sign off as they remain in development as construction progresses. The key principles, working practices and agreed methodologies are all contained within Volume 1 of the document and this would be the basis of approval, with detailed appendices being presented, consulted and agreed as an ongoing requirement Page 3

4 of the ELG. 6. Website 6.1 The provision of a website for ELG / TCHCLG minutes, useful information, the CPH, consultee details and other useful project related information was raised again. SSE are still to facilitate this and advise all parties of the relevant web link. 6.2 It was agreed that details on the roles of the specific organisations should be placed on the website to inform interested parties of the various roles and responsibilities under the function of the ELG / TCHCLG. CM requested that this information could be forwarded asap. RC All 7. Community Liaison 7.1 PM requested that feedback from meetings between SSE / SPT and Community Councils be given to Councils. 8. A.O.B 8.1 Other planning applications both already submitted and approved and still to be submitted were discussed. Currently these applications consist of the following: Sub Stations 5 within SSE area all have current planning permissions and 1 within SPT area which does not have a current planning consent Borrow Pits All within SSE area at the moment, 5 have current planning permission, other applications are ongoing. Offices Planning applications for these are being completed at the moment for submission asap. 8.2 DB stated that lots of information was being passed through him for comment / sign off by SNH, he requested that more notice and / or appropriate timescales be provided prior to submission to allow SNH staff to plan their work loads better. 8.3 DB asked for clarification on which route had been approved by the Scottish Government, CM / RC stated that the approved route is the one detailed within Annex 17 and Addendum 2, these plans will be issued to the ELG members. 8.4 KMcC stated that the Highland Council are currently happy with the level of communication being received from SSE but stated that getting the project website and related links up and running is, in their opinion, critical. He also stated that Highland Council has put the rationalisation plans and other details for the project online on their own website. 9. Future Meetings 28 th April 2010, 11:00am SSE Training Centre, Perth 26 th May 2010, 11:00am SSE Training Centre, Perth 30 th June 2010, 11:00am SSE Training Centre, Perth ELG to note Page 4

5 10. Final Remarks 10.1 CM, on behalf of SSE and SPT thanked those present for a useful meeting and look forward to their continued support and help on the project. Page 5