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Holyrood debate on pylon inquiry Pylon inquiry 'seriously flawed'
(about 16 hours later)
A Scottish Parliament debate is to hear that concerns over controversial plans for a 137-mile (220km) power line are going unheard. A leading Scottish Tory MSP has criticised the consultation procedures used in the public inquiry into plans for a 137-mile (220km) power line.
Scotland's biggest public inquiry is currently being held into proposals for a line of pylons from Beauly in the Highlands to Denny near Falkirk.Scotland's biggest public inquiry is currently being held into proposals for a line of pylons from Beauly in the Highlands to Denny near Falkirk.
Deputy Scottish Tory leader Murdo Fraser called for the Holyrood debate Deputy Scottish Tory leader Murdo Fraser described the process as "seriously flawed".
His motion claims the concerns of objectors have been dismissed and many submissions were ruled inadmissible. He led a debate on the subject in the Scottish Parliament.
More than 17,000 people have submitted objections to the Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) proposals.More than 17,000 people have submitted objections to the Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) proposals.
'Rigid timetable'
The firm said the power line was vital to allow renewable energy projects to connect to the electricity grid.The firm said the power line was vital to allow renewable energy projects to connect to the electricity grid.
The motion from Mr Fraser, the Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, claims that objectors' concerns have been disregarded by inquiry reporters. The motion from Mr Fraser, the Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, claims the public inquiry has not fully examined all the issues and important evidence has been dismissed because of the need to stick to an excessively rigid timetable.
He also notes that many protest submissions have been ruled inadmissible and that serious issues have not been fully considered. He said: "Given the scale of the application and the huge amounts of public money involved, we believe that this is wrong and undemocratic."
Much of Scotland will be affected by this power line if it is given the go ahead Murdo Fraser MSP
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP believes the handling of the inquiry will impede the democratic process and destroy the confidence of the objectors involved.
"I have a deep concern relating to the approach to, and conduct of, the Beauly to Denny public inquiry," Mr Fraser said.
"That is why it is important that the Scottish Parliament discusses the handling of this public inquiry in order that its conduct can be fully scrutinised."
He added: "These problems must be addressed because the scale of this application is huge and much of Scotland will be affected by this power line if it is given the go-ahead."
The scheme would see 600 pylons up to 65m (213ft) high replacing the existing transmission line.The scheme would see 600 pylons up to 65m (213ft) high replacing the existing transmission line.
The inquiry is due to continue until the end of the year.The inquiry is due to continue until the end of the year.