Thursday 21 July 2016

Friday 15 July 2016

More from SPEN


Following on from our email last Friday, I wanted to let you know that our report on the first round of consultation has now been published on our website at http://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/dumfries_galloway_project_documents.asp.

Since the consultation was carried out in summer 2015, the scope of the project has been revised. It now comprises a scheme between Kendoon and Tongland as detailed in the next section. The purpose of this document is to explain the reasons why the project has changed, address feedback received during the first round of consultation (which is specific to the revised project) and demonstrate how this feedback has influenced its development.

The full DGSR Project between Auchencrosh and Harker is not being progressed at this time. This report focuses on addressing feedback from the first round of consultation which is relevant to a revised scheme between Kendoon and Tongland. In the context of the first round of consultation, this is feedback which is relevant to Consultation Zones 3 and 4 regarding the replacement of existing infrastructure between Kendoon, Carsfad, Earlstoun, Glenlee and Tongland.

In this regard, feedback received which relates to the areas listed below, and which was provided in relation to those elements no longer being progressed (Summary of Feedback Report, February 2016), is not addressed within this report:
• Consultation Zone 1 (Auchencrosh to Newton Stewart);
• Consultation Zone 2 (Newton Stewart to Glenlee);
• Consultation Zone 5 (Glenlee to Dumfries);
• Consultation Zone 6a (Dumfries to the Scottish/English border); and
• Consultation Zone 6b (Scottish/English border to Harker).

We are in the process of delivering hard copies of the report and all associated documents to the following information points by Friday July 22. Opening hours may vary and we recommend calling ahead before making a special trip to avoid a wasted journey:

Annan Customer Service Centre, High Street, Annan, DG12 6AQ. Tel: 030 33 33 3000
Ballantrae Library, The Hall, Ballantrae, KA26 0NB. Tel: 01465 831521.
Carlisle: Cumbria County Council, Reception area, The Courts, Carlisle, CA3 8NA. Tel: 01228 606060
Dalry Library, Main Street, St. John’s Town of Dalry, DG7 3UP. Tel: 01644 430234
Dumfries Planning Office, Kirkbank, English Street, Dumfries, DG1 2HS. Tel: 01387 260199.
Gretna Library, Central Avenue, Gretna, DG16 5AQ. Tel: 01461 339982.
Kirkcudbright Library, High Street, Kirkcudbright, DG6 4JW. Tel: 01557 331240.
Lochthorn Library (north Dumfries), Edinburgh Road, Dumfries, DG1 1UF. Tel: 01387 265780
Lockerbie Customer Services Centre, 31-33 High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2JL: Tel: 01576 203380
Longtown Library, Lochinvar Centre, Longtown, Cumbria, CA6 5UG. Tel: 01228 791638. (NB. the library will be closed between August 8 and 30)
Newton Stewart Library, Church Street, Newton Stewart, DG8 6ER. Tel: 01671 403450.

Wednesday 13 July 2016

KAP, SPEN, PYLONS Latest and Thanks you for your support

Dear Kirkmahoe resident
 
Most of you will now know that SPEN have announced they will not progress the 400kv line between Auchencrosh and Harker at this time. The original proposed option having been found not cost effective has meant a reduced scheme consisting of a new 132kv line between Kendoon and Tongland has been confirmed as the most favourable option, and has been submitted to Ofgem.
 
You can find information on the factors leading to this decision in the Executive Summary of the submission to Ofgem, under the Project Documents tab
 

 
 
The reduced scheme involves the areas categorised as consultation zones 3 and 4 in the original proposal, which does not include any part of Kirkmahoe. While SPEN have carefully reported that they will not progress the Auchencrosh to Harker option “at this time”, I think we can regard this as a very good outcome for this community and for the many others who were dreading the pylons option. The reduced scheme will also pass through some sensitive areas between Kendoon and Tongland and will need careful consideration, but for the time being Kirkmahoe can certainly breath a sigh of relief, knowing that the spectre of giant pylons has gone.
 
 
There is a proposal to build a pumped storage hydro scheme at Glenmuclock, NW of Kirkconnel. If approved, this scheme would require a transmission system of some sort. Dumgalagainstpylons has been monitoring this proposal for some time, and at their meeting with SPEN later this month will raise the issue of transmission. Their initial thoughts are that any transmission line would cross the hills to Elvanfoot.
 
 
We’ll let you know as we hear any other information about the revised scheme from Kendoon to Tongland or about the Glenmucklock proposal.
 
Well done Kirkmahoe and all the other small communities in the “preferred corridor". A great result.
 
Carol

Friday 8 July 2016

SPEN PYLONS Latest News

Subject: Dumfries and Galloway Strategic Reinforcement Project
I am writing to you to provide an update on the Dumfries and Galloway Strategic Reinforcement project.
Following a comprehensive review of the proposed Dumfries and Galloway Strategic Reinforcement project, SP Energy Networks has submitted revised proposals to Ofgem. The updated submission has determined that a ‘Reduced Scheme’ consisting of new 132kV transmission infrastructure between Kendoon and Tongland is now the most favourable option, after the detailed review determined that the full 400kV Auchencrosh to Harker proposal is not the most cost effective to take forward at this time. On this basis we do not intend to progress the full DGSR Project between Auchencrosh and Harker at this time. Further information on what has led us to this decision can be found in the Executive Summary of our submission to Ofgem. This can be found at the following web link under the Project Documents tab:
The Reduced Scheme
The Reduced Scheme will consist of those elements of the project which we consulted on within consultation zones 3 and 4. We are calling the revised project the Kendoon to Tongland 132kV Reinforcement (KTR) Project. This will consist of proposals for:
- The replacement of the 132kV network between Polquhanity, around 3km north of the existing Kendoon substation, and the existing Glenlee substation. This will involve the building of a new 132kV double circuit overhead line;
The replacement of the existing 132kV circuit between Carsfad and Kendoon with a new single circuit 132kV overhead line
The replacement of the existing 132kV circuit between Earlstoun and Glenlee with a new single circuit 132kV overhead line
The replacement of the 132kV network between Glenlee and Tongland. This will involve the building of a new 132kV double circuit overhead line;
The extension of the existing 132kV Glenlee substation; and
The removal of the existing 132kV overhead lines between Polquhanity, Kendoon, Carsfad, Earlstoun, Glenlee, Tongland and Dumfries. This will involve the decommissioning of around 90km of existing overhead line infrastructure.
Report on First Round Consultation
In addition to this, we also intend to publish the report on the first round of consultation which will include SPEN’s responses to feedback which remains relevant to the KTR Project and confirm the proposed corridors to be taken forward to the next stage of the routeing and consultation process. This will be published shortly and we will communicate the release of this document to all stakeholders separately.
Yours faithfully
Community Relations Team
Dumfries & Galloway Strategic Reinforcement
E: dgsr@communityrelations.co.uk
T: 0800 157 7353

Monday 4 July 2016

The New KCC First Meeting

The first meeting of the 

new Kirkmahoe Community Council

will be on Wednesday, 13th July

at 7:30 pm 

in Kirkton Village Hall.