Council in unexpected pylon move

The line would run from Beauly near Inverness to Denny near Falkirk

Falkirk Council has decided not to drop its objection to a line of huge electricity pylons running from the Highlands to Central Scotland.

The line, proposed by Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), would see 600 pylons built on a 137-mile route.

The unexpected decision was made by councillors against the recommendation of local authority officials.

The council also decided to make a written submission to a forthcoming public inquiry on the proposals.

Falkirk Council's regulatory committee decided to keep in place a "holding objection" to the planned power line.

Officials had recommended it should be withdrawn, after pointing out that only a small part of the line would come into the authority's area, having a minor effect.

Green energy

They also said that the council had yet to receive additional information on an application for a sub-station near the listed Torwood Mire wildlife site, meaning councillors would not be able to reach a determination on it.

Perth and Kinross, Highland and Stirling councils have objected to the power line, but SSE said the development was needed in order to transfer green energy from proposed projects in the north of Scotland.

It would run from Beauly near Inverness to Denny near Falkirk, passing through the Cairngorm National Park and close to the Wallace Monument in Stirling.

The public inquiry into the power line, due to be held in 2007, has received thousands of objections.