Project Description

SHE Transmission have recently commenced work on the first stages of the Blackhillock substation, having recently completed a temporary compound for our workforce and started earthworks on the main substation site.

The network upgrades at the site of the existing electricity substation at Blackhillock, near Keith, Moray, will comprise:

Area A RED on adjacent Map – In Construction

a 400kV GIS (gas-insulated substation);

a 132kV GIS substation; a 275kV AIS (air-insulated substation);

a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) converter;

an underground HVDC electricity cable from Blackhillock to Portgordon

And the following temporary work area:

Area B GREEN

Temporary compound for construction of AC Substation works – Complete

Area C BLUE

Proposed temporary compound for construction of HVDC Converter and HVDC Cabling works

SHE Transmission intend to commence work on the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) underground cable between Blackhillock and Port Gordon and the HVDC Converter Station, located within the Blackhillock Substation extension, in 2015 and to support this activity will require an additional temporary compound (Area C) adjacent to the Blackhillock site to accommodate the workforce associated with these activities.

SHET have submitted a Proposal of Application Notice (14/01808/PAN) to the Moray Council on 15th September 2014 regarding this development. Following the statutory 12 week consultation period SHET intend to submit a Planning Application for this temporary compound in December 2014 and wish to seek the views of the local community on this stage of the development.

The compound, although temporary (to be removed by 2018) is classed as a Major Development due to it’s size (>2ha).

Pre- Application Consultation is a statutory requirement for Major Developments

This exhibition is part of a consultation process to provide you with information and the opportunity to comment SHET proposals for a temporary compound at Little Gibston prior to submission of the Planning Application

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Proposed Site

Proposed site of new temporary compound – existing buildings and trees will be retained and protected during construction and operation.

Blackhillock HVDC Temporary Compound

Blackhillock HVDC Temporary Compound

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Construction

Construction will consist of:

Site compound establishment from April to July 2015

Delivery of temporary welfare unit for Contractors site establishment workforce

Existing hazards on site identified and demarked to ensure safe operations (eg existing Overhead Line)

Securely fence off compound area prior to commencement of works

General Site Clearance prior commencement of top soil strip

Formation of delivery layby and junction to compound area with signage

Undertake advance drainage works to manage surface water runoff from developed compound area

Undertake site services connection such as water, foul drainage, electricity, BT and diversion of existing 11kV overhead line

Strip topsoil/subsoil ensuring topsoil is stored separate from subsoil - these stock piles will be used in the reinstatement works at the end of the Construction period

Stone up compound area with graded material to produce firm standing area

Site cabins installed with gate security and reception

Parking and storage areas clearly identified and managed

Material deliveries managed to ensure access ways remain clear and loads safely off loaded to storage areas

Site compound operation to October 2017

Late 2017/2018 - At end of project the site will be reinstated back to an arable field utilising stored topsoil

Access

Access will be from the A96 and the U43(H) as per existing access route to the Blackhillock Substation. SHE Transmission have already carried out extensive upgrades to the U43(H) which site traffic will use to access the works at Blackhillock Substation and the temporary compounds in line with the existing Planning Consent requirements.

Road widening – U43 Limehillock to BEAR yard

Reshaped drainage ditches on U43

Completed road south of Rosehall

New Passing Place south of Rosehall

Temporary Compound Site Layout

This exhibition is your opportunity to comment on and ask questions about our proposals so far. We would greatly appreciate it if you would take the time to fill out our short questionnaire and post it in the comments box. Alternatively, you can contact our Communications Manager: Samantha O’Connor Inveralmond House, 200 Dunkeld Road Perth, PH1 3AQ sam.oconnor@sse.com Tel: 07584 313059

Please note that these plans may change prior to submission of the Planning Application and there will be an opportunity to lodge representations to the Moray Council once the Planning Application has been formally submitted to the Council for consideration. More information and comment forms can also be found on the dedicated website: www.ssepd.co.uk/Blackhillock It would be helpful to receive your comments by Friday 28th November 2014

How to Comment

An environmental assessment was undertaken as part of the wider project and the information gained in this will be used to inform all necessary environmental considerations. This included items such as hydrology, ecology, visual impact and archaeology. SHE Transmission are not aware of any significant environmental issues associated with this proposal.

Environment

Temporary Compound

SHE Transmission’s contractor Seimens BAM have already constructed a temporary compound off the U43(H) adjacent to the Blackhillock substation and immediately opposite our proposed new temporary compound at Little Gibston. Our new compound will be similar to this with a proposed layby/stacking area constructed off the U43(H) to prevent deliveries blocking the public road.

Compound car parking and footpaths

Compound car parking

Compound car parking and pedestrian exit

Welfare Facilities

Blackhillock HVDC Temporary Compound

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Programme