Scottish Government found to have approved every SSE or SSEN planning applications for last 15 years

Spokeswoman for CB4PC, Lyndsey Ward, added: "It certainly explains why communities have come to expect these particular multinationals to get approval for their proposals even if they have been refused by the local authority. 

"People often feel, and have been told so by SSEN staff at public consultations, that there is no point objecting, it is a ‘done deal’ and that the Scottish ministers back them.

"Now this apparent guaranteed approval is public knowledge maybe, just maybe, the Scottish Government will actually change course and heed public opinion instead of helping to boost the wealth of shareholders in these global investment companies at the expense of the UK-wide consumer, electorate and the environment."

A spokesperson for SSEN Transmission told us: “We have significant experience and expertise in the development of critical national electricity transmission network infrastructure in the north of Scotland, where our developments are informed by extensive public and statutory stakeholder consultation and follow robust processes, in line with all necessary planning and regulatory policies.

“Prior to the Scottish Government’s determination of our Section 37 planning applications, these applications are first considered by relevant local authorities. To illustrate the robustness of our planning processes, in the 15+ years since the Beauly Denny line was referred to a public local inquiry, we have submitted in excess of 40 Section 37 overhead line applications and on just three occasions have our Section 37 applications been formally objected to by local planning committees. On all three occasions, these objections went against the clear recommendation of those local authorities’ own planning officers and for two of these decisions, there were no other statutory stakeholder objections to consider.

“We remain committed to consult extensively with all stakeholders as part of the development of our projects to help ensure our final proposals balance stakeholder feedback against key environmental, technical and economic considerations and the planning and regulatory policies that underpin the robust planning regime under which we operate.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Scotland has some of the most stringent environmental impact regulations anywhere in the world and our planning and consenting system ensures that local communities can always have their say. Clear guidance is in place to ensure early public consultation and engagement is carried out for all large-scale infrastructure proposals.

“Any consenting application submitted to the Scottish Government for consideration is subject to consultation with the public and statutory and local bodies. Potential impacts on communities, nature and other valued natural assets or cultural heritage are important considerations in the decision-making process.”