Updated 25th November 2025
There is a pre-determination hearing on the Fanellan Substation application as part of a Special Meeting of SPAC on 18th December 2025. Parties that commented on the application have been invited to speak at the meeting.
Note: SSEN have arranged public consultation/information events at Beauly and Kiltarlity on 4th December 2025 (see Meetings and Events page) regarding the Black Bridge Replacement only (it will not include the Beaufort Castle estate route as previously advertised).
Spittal-Beauly OHL and Peterhead-Beauly OHL and the diversion of the Beauly-Denny OHL around the Fanellan site have all to be submitted to the Scottish Energy Consents Unit (ECU).
Update 25th November - Public comments to the ECU on the above three applications have now closed.
[Update 23rd September 2025 - Highland Council (as consultee) have Objected to the Beauly-Denny OHL diversion - decision notice can be found here]
[Update 30th October 2025 - Highland Council (as consultee) have Objected to the Spittal-Beauly OHL - document can be found here]
Comment for Highland Council Planning Applications
Can be made as follows:
going to the Highland Council planning portal here and register for an account and submit their online form (Note: the comment section online has a 5000 character limit);
or,
emailing your objection directly to eplanning@highland.gov.uk
or,
posting/hand delivering your letter direct to: ePlanning, eProcessing Centre, The Highland Council, Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, IV3 5NX .
In your email or letter you must put:
Your Full Name
Address
Planning reference number(s) i.e. 25/00826/FUL for the Fanellan Substation
Clear indication of objection to the application
Any other supporting comments or information
Comments on the ECU applications must be made DIRECT TO THE ECU
These are usually Wind Turbine, OHL and larger BESS applications - do not submit them to Highland Council Planning as they are a consultee themselves on these Section 36 or 37 applications.
You can comment direct to the ECU as follows:
Any representations in respect of the application may be submitted via the Energy Consents Unit website HERE;
by email to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit at representations@gov.scot; or
by post to the Scottish Government, Energy Consents Unit, 4th Floor, 5 Atlantic Quay, 150 Broomielaw, Glasgow, G2 8LU, identifying the proposal and specifying the grounds for representation. Please note that there may be a delay in the Energy Consents Unit receiving representations by post.
In your email or letter you must put:
Your Full Name
Address
ECU reference number(s) i.e. ECU00005056 (for the Beauly-Denny OHL Diversion)
Clear indication of objection to the application
Any other supporting comments or information
Some websites and tools to help you draft your objections:
These letters are created by the CB4PC team to help the public draft personalised responses for particular projects going to HC Planning or ECU. Examples:
Please note the submission deadline dates on these applications are stated on the relevant ObjectNow landing page.
This firm of planning consultants based in Nottingham has a website that includes some very useful guides on how to structure an objection and what are valid grounds for objection.
This the general council guidance but indicate what are "material" reasons for objecting to an application and explains the timing of the process.