A public inquiry into a controversial overhead power line planned from the Glenkens to Tongland is set to end on Monday.
Opponents and backers of Scottish Power Energy Networks’ Kendoon to Tongland Reinforcement (KTR) project have been battling it out since proceedings opened in Kirkcudbright’s Arden House Hotel on October 24.
The inquiry subsequently moved to Ernespie House Hotel at Castle Douglas where Reporter Katrina Rice has heard often complex arguments from legal teams and experts representing developers SPEN and campaign group Galloway Without Pylons.
Almost 1,000 objections to the scheme were lodged with the Scottish Government with many local people appearing in person at the inquiry to voice opposition.
GWP argues the KTR would destroy thousands of trees and habitats and scar the landscape, proposing instead that the new line should be laid underground.
SPEN maintains it has a duty to deliver efficient affordable projects and that the KTR is needed to boost capacity and ensure resilience in the distribution network.
On Monday, hearings focused on the scheme’s socio-economic and tourism impacts with GWP co-ordinator Paul Swift, pictured right, and Graeme Blackett of consultants Biggar Economics leading evidence.
Mr Swift pointed out the pylon line would pass over or close to scenic locations popular with visitors and important to the local tourism economy.
Places affected by the pylons, he said, included the Otter Pool on the Raiders Road forest drive which attracts more than 30,000 visitors a year, the nearby Stroan Loch picnic site, and Bennan, Slogarie and Laurieston forests.
He also claimed “totally unacceptable” volumes of heavy construction traffic would “destroy” an ancient beech avenue on the Laurieston to Gatehouse road.
For SPEN, Mr Blackett stated in his submission that there was “no evidence” that the KTR project would change tourism behaviour.
He said: “Whilst it can be agreed that scenery is important to tourism and recreation in Dumfries and Galloway as it is for the Scottish tourism sector as a whole, it does not follow that changes to the landscape will have adverse consequences for tourism and recreation.”
The Reporter will visit key locations on the proposed route on Wednesday.
