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To: Scottish Power Energy Networks

Stop the Dumfries & Galloway Pylons

This campaign has ended.

Please don't build 50 metre tall, high voltage pylons across Dumfries & Galloway.

Why is this important?

- The proposed pylons will be massively visually intrusive in what is one of the few beautiful, unspoiled parts of the UK left.

- They will harm the environment and local wildlife.

- They will be hugely damaging to the tourist sector in Dumfries and Galloway, a key driver of the local economy.

- The pylon line will seriously affect house values and the ability to sell houses for miles around due to its size and visual impact.

- Other alternatives, such as putting the line underground or under the sea, are available and could be adopted.

Dumfries & Galloway

Maps © Stamen; Data © OSM and contributors, ODbL

Links

Updates

2016-02-23 08:51:03 +0000

See this link. The important line is at the bottom of the article. If a financially weak country like Greece decides to foster tourism and make the place as attractive as possible, why would the government not want to do the same for this area? Only in this case, it would save a lot of money if the line wasn't installed, only to be removed and reinstated underground/under sea later, thus paying for it three times!

2016-01-20 11:27:14 +0000

Permission has apparently been refused to add more turbines to Harestanes Wind Farm in Dumfries and Galloway on the ground that "there would be significant adverse effects on natural beauty". Although it's difficult to understand how adding 7 more turbines to the existing 68 can have more of an adverse effect than has already been created, nevertheless 50m high pylons must also surely be detrimental to the local landscape. See http://www.dng24.co.uk/no-go-for-extra-turbines/

2015-10-31 14:02:15 +0000

We're not alone!
http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1008/733299-pylons/

2015-09-28 08:21:13 +0100

The John Muir Trust has sent a strongly worded objection to SPEN regarding the pylon proposal urging them to consider other options, learn from past mistakes and properly consider the feedback they have received in their recent consultation. Well done The John Muir Trust!

https://dumgalagainstpylons.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/john-muir-trust-to-spen-re-dg.pdf

2015-09-23 18:06:10 +0100

See this objection by The John Muir Trust to a proposed similar pylon line in the north of Cumbria in late 2014. I hope they may be persuaded to similarly object to the Dumfries and Galloway pylons.
https://www.johnmuirtrust.org/assets/000/000/333/141127_jmt_response_to_nw_coast_connections_2nd_consultation_original.pdf?1434015550

2015-09-23 07:19:26 +0100

The objection letter by the National Trust for Scotland has been picked up by the Scotsman newspaper.
http://m.scotsman.com/news/environment/national-trust-joins-protest-over-new-giant-pylons-1-3886609

2015-09-07 16:54:43 +0100

The National Trust for Scotland have objected to SPEN's current proposals. You can read their objection lower down the page on this link http://dumgalagainstpylons.org/flash-news/

2015-09-03 11:27:10 +0100

http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/update/2014-11-11/pylons-to-be-removed-from-west-country-beauty-spot/

2015-09-02 22:09:02 +0100

An encouraging piece in the BBC News website here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-34126883

2015-08-31 23:04:16 +0100

Joan McAlpine MSP has sent a very well argued and powerful letter to SPEN raising various concerns which have been voiced by her constituents. You can see it here https://www.dropbox.com/s/of0tx08fuah7hiz/Pylons%20joan%20McAlpineSPENresponse.pdf%20Letter.pdf?dl=0

2015-08-28 09:15:19 +0100

Conservative elected representatives for Dumfries and Galloway have written collectively to SPEN with a very powerful letter of opposition to the current plans. In conclusion they have written that "Alternatives to SPEN’s proposals do exist – they must now be rigorously explored".

Thank you to these politicians!

2015-08-26 08:51:32 +0100

Please see this link. http://ree.es/en/press-office/press-release/2015/02/president-spanish-government-and-french-prime-minister-inaugurate-the-electrical-interconnection-Spain-France#.

If it is possible for a Spanish company to put an underground cable right through the Pyrenees why is it not possible for a Spanish company (Scottish Power is Spanish owned) to put an underground (or under sea) cable from Scotland to England?

2015-08-22 15:56:36 +0100

I've been away for a few days, but on getting home I've got a copy of DG Life. Sure enough there is an article. In addition there is a letter and further comment on the next page!

2015-08-08 09:14:41 +0100

Please remember to contact elected representatives to make your feelings known. You can find a list of them here http://dumgalagainstpylons.org/contacting-elected-representatives/.

2015-08-03 16:18:11 +0100

I've just been interviewed by a lady from DG Life magazine. She says that there should be a piece on the pylons in the next edition which is due out in the middle of next week. Keep spreading the word!