Determination Processing Document
Planning for Major Transmission Projects which may be subject to EIA
This note sets out a forward view of where transmission overhead lines are being considered in Scotland. The
note is intended to provide interested parties with information on where overhead lines are envisaged over
the period to 2020 and beyond and to give an indication of when formal processes are likely to be engaged.
This note in no way replaces or alters any statutory process under the Electricity Act 1989, Town and Country
Planning Act 1997 or any other statutory instrument.
Background
The Scottish transmission companies have been given a ‘fast track’ settlement of up to [£7bn.] This
investment is essential to deliver a 21st century transmission network capable of delivering Scotland’s
renewable energy ambitions, including:

connection of 3.6GW of additional generation

improve connections between where energy is generated and where it is consumed and

enable the much needed modernisation of aging assets.
To achieve this will require the erection of around 740km of transmission overhead lines. A summary of these
is provided in the table below.
Planning Transmission Overhead Lines
The erection of transmission overhead lines is determined by Scottish Ministers under powers granted by the
Electricity Act 1989. These decisions are made following a consultative process and consider all legal and
planning obligations. These are shown in Diagram 1 below. Further details and guidance can be obtained
from the Energy Consents and Deployment Unit or via the link
New Projects in South of Scotland
Blacklaw Extension
New Projects in North of Scotland
Lewis Infrastructure
Reinforcement Projects
400 kV East Coast Reinforcement
Devol Moor – Erskine
Dounreay – Gills Bay 132kV
Radial
Peterhead
upgrade
Dumfries & Galloway
Dounreay – Mybster 275kV
(Dounreay – Spittal)
ENSG – East Coast/ Central
Upgrade
Dounreay – Mybster 132kV
(Spittal – Dounreay)
ENSG East/ West
Beauly – Tomatin
Earlshaugh-Moffat
Beauly – Keith 400kV
Fallago
Tayynuit
to
Reinforcement
Gretna Line Entries
Inverary to Crossaig
Gretna-Ewehill/ Newfield
Errochty Reconfiguration
Harestanes & Moffat
Orkney 132kV
Neilston
Blackhillock Development
South West Scotland
Fort Augustus to Skye Tee 132kV
Inverary
Druim Ba
Dumnaglass
Corriegarth, Halsary and Sallachy
132kV connections
GlenUllinish
Shetland 132kV
Rothienorman
400kVOHL
APPLICATION PROCESS FOR PROJECTS
WHICH ARE EIA APPLICATIONS UNDER S37
OF THE ELECTRICITY ACT
At this point timescales would be set down and agreed between the applicant,
Scottish Government and statutory consultees
TIMEFRAME: Case Dependent
STEP ONE
Formal Project
Introduction
STEP TWO – Scoping
Where the applicant submits a Scoping Report to the Scottish Government
Energy Consents and Deployment Unit (ECDU) the ECDU will consult on this
document and the resulting Scoping Opinion scopes in, and out, what should be
included in the applicant’s upcoming Environmental Statement (ES).
TIMEFRAME: 21 days to issue consultation, 21 day consultation period, 21 days
to finalise document and issue.
STEP TWO
Scoping
STEP THREE – Pre-Application
Based on the Scoping Opinion, the applicant may be re-engaging with statutory
consultees and relevant stakeholders prior to finalisation of the ES.
TIMEFRAME: Case Dependent
STEP THREE
Pre-Application
STEP FOUR – Gate-Check
Approximately 6 weeks prior to submission the applicant will provide a brief
document to the ECDU summarising their interactions with the consultees and
any iterations in design or approach. If a meeting between the developer, ECDU
and statutory consultees is deemed useful at this stage, this will be arranged.
Such a meeting is not anticipated to be necessary for every application.
Administrative issues in relation to consultee lists and proposed submission dates
will be finalised.
TIMEFRAME: 1-2 weeks
STEP FOUR
Gate-check
Public
Local
Inquiry
(where
required)
STEP FIVE
Consideration of
Application
STEP SIX
Decision
STEP SEVEN
Decision Notice
STEP EIGHT
Discharge of Conditions
This process chart does not cover the work undertaken
in respect of routeing and other steps (including
consultation with statutory consultees and early public)
engagement) the applicant undertakes prior to the
formal
application
process.
STEP ONE
– Formal Project
Introduction
Further
Information
(where
required)
STEP FIVE – Consideration of Application
Application is accepted and consultation period begins.
TIMEFRAME: 28 day consultation period for consultees and members of the
public. Two month consultation period for Planning Authority.
Further Information: Additional or further information may be submitted at the
applicant’s discretion. If additional or further environmental information is
provided, this will trigger a further consultation period. In addition, should
consultees report that they consider the information provided by the applicant is
incomplete or deficient, the applicant can submit further information. This
information is subject to further consultation.
TIMEFRAME: A further 28 day consultation period for all parties
Public Local Inquiry: Should the Planning Authority object to the application, a
Public Inquiry may be called to consider the proposal, at the discretion of
Ministers.
TIMEFRAME: Variable and dependent on case-specific issues. Between 9-12
months.
STEP SIX – Decision
Decision taken by Scottish Ministers considering all information provided by
applicant; consultation responses received; representations from members of the
public; all relevant policy, planning and legal obligations and report of the Public
Inquiry, if one has been held.
TIMEFRAME: Variable and dependent on complexity of the case. Between 9-12
weeks.
STEP SEVEN – Decision Notice
Once a decision is made the applicant places a notice in the press advising
members of the public of the decision.
STEP EIGHT – Discharge of Conditions
Should consent be granted the applicant must adhere to the conditions of any
consent and, where applicable, fulfil certain obligations before construction can
proceed and during operation .