Councillors were scheduled to attend a pre-determination hearing to gather views on a planning application for a new substation. No decision was scheduled to be made at the hearing, but councillors were expected to raise any points of clarification. A report of the hearing was scheduled to be presented to the Formartine Area Committee and the Buchan Area Committee, before going to the Infrastructure Services Committee or Full Council for a decision.

Mains of Greens Substation

Councillors were scheduled to consider planning application APP/2024/1927 from Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (SSEN) for the erection of a 400kV AC substation and associated infrastructure at Land at Mains of Greens, Cuminestown.

The proposed substation was scheduled to include:

• Two 400/132 kV Super Grid Transformers (SGTs)
• Outdoor Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS)
• Associated busbars
• 27 bays for current and future transmission connections
• Three buildings, including two synchronous condensers¹ and a control building

The application also includes a platform for two towers for the BBNP 400 kV OHL² to enter and leave the site. The associated Over Head Line (OHL) towers and their foundations are not part of this application, and would form a separate Section 37 permission.

Other planned works include:

• Sustainable urban drainage systems (SuDS)
• Lighting (only to be used in the event of a fault)
• Security fencing

The construction was scheduled to take approximately three years, and the applicant was seeking permission for 7-day working. Access to the site would be from the C29S, the local road running between the crossroads at Maryhill to the B9170.

Representations

The council received 81 valid representations, all objections, raising concerns including:

• Environmental Impact: Industrialisation of the countryside, loss of agricultural land and natural habitats, pollution risks to soil and water, increased flood risks.
• Noise and Amenity Impact: High noise levels, light pollution, proximity to residential properties, impact of extended construction period and long working hours.
• Water Supply and Drainage: Inadequate assessment of the impact on adjacent private water supplies (PWS), potential contamination risks, insufficient consideration of drainage impact.
• Health and Social Concerns: Impacts on mental and physical health, loss of community cohesion, negative effects from electromagnetic fields (EMF).
• Infrastructure and Safety: Increased traffic posing safety risks, damage to the local road network, congestion on local roads.
• Project Justification and Local Benefits: The necessity of the project has not been sufficiently demonstrated, poor consultation and engagement with local residents, no clear benefits to the community.
• Regulatory and Procedural Issues: Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) lacks clarity and comprehensive scope, contradictions with local policies and strategies, lack of information on decommissioning and long-term effects.

Consultations

Internal and external consultees also raised concerns and provided feedback:

• Environment and Infrastructure Services (Archaeology) had no objections subject to a condition requiring a level 1 standing building survey.
• Environment and Infrastructure Services (Business Development) sought clarification on training and local employment opportunities, as well as consideration of the Strategic Tourism Infrastructure Development Plan.
• Environment and Infrastructure Services (Contaminated Land) recommended a condition requiring a Site Investigation.
• Environment and Infrastructure Services (Environmental Health) had no objection subject to conditions regarding noise levels.
• Environment and Infrastructure Services (Natural Environment) commented on ecology and ornithology, biodiversity enhancement, forestry, and non-motorised access, and noted that protected species licences would be required for works in relation to bats and badgers.
• Environment and Infrastructure Services (Roads Development) removed their objection subject to road improvements being secured via condition.
• Fythie, Monquitter and Rothienorman Community Council raised concerns about noise, light pollution, disturbance to wildlife, traffic, flood risk, private water supplies, electromagnetic radiation, and the impact on the character of the area.
• Historic Environment Scotland did not consider that the proposal would have any significant impacts on heritage assets within their remit.
• Landscape Architect (Carol Anderson Consultant) noted that the proposal would have significant adverse landscape effects within 2-3km of the site, and significant adverse effects on local views.
• NatureScot commented that the proposed development will not impact statutory protected sites for nature conservation.
• Scottish Water had no objection but advised the applicant to check for potential conflict with Scottish Water assets.
• Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) removed their objection after the applicant provided clarification on flood risk, drainage channel re-alignment, and private water supplies, but recommended a planning condition requiring risk assessments for private water supplies.
• Transport Scotland had no objection subject to conditions relating to movement of construction vehicles and abnormal loads on the trunk road.

Relevant Planning Policies

The report pack outlined a number of relevant planning policies, including:

• National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), specifically:
  • Policy 1: Tackling the climate and nature crises
  • Policy 2: Climate mitigation and adaptation
  • Policy 3: Biodiversity
  • Policy 4: Natural Places
  • Policy 5: Soils
  • Policy 6: Forestry, woodland and trees
  • Policy 7: Historic assets and places
  • Policy 9: Brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings
  • Policy 11: Energy
  • Policy 13: Sustainable transport
  • Policy 14: Design, quality and place
  • Policy 18: Infrastructure First
  • Policy 20: Blue and green infrastructure
  • Policy 22: Flood Risk and Water Management
  • Policy 23: Health and Safety
  • Policy 25: Community and wealth building
• Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2023:
  • Policy P1 Layout, siting and design
  • Policy P4 Hazardous and Potentially Polluting Developments and Contaminated land
  • Policy E1 Natural Heritage
  • Policy E2 Landscape
  • Policy E3 Forestry and Woodland
  • Policy HE1 Protecting Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments and Archaeological Sites (including other historic buildings)
  • Policy PR1 Protecting Important Resources
  • Policy C2 Renewable Energy
  • Policy C4 Flooding
  • Policy RD1 Providing Suitable Services

The report pack also referenced other material considerations, including:

• Chief Planners Letter Transitional arrangement for National Planning Framework 4; 13 February 2023
• The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 (as amended by the Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019)
• Draft Energy Statement and Just Transition Plan, January 2023
• The Scottish Government's Just Transition A Fairer, Greener Scotland, September 2021
• Draft Community Wealth Building (CWB) Strategy, Aberdeenshire Council

Environmental Appraisal

A full Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) was prepared and submitted in support of the application. The EIA appraisal identified potential significant effects in relation to forestry, landscape and visual impacts, ecology, cultural heritage, hydrology, hydrogeology, geology and soils, and noise and vibration. However, with additional mitigation, the effects were scheduled to be reduced to 'not significant' for all topics with the exception of landscape and visual impacts, where significant effects were scheduled to remain.