‘Fight is not over’ against 27 miles of Galloway pylons
The Scottish Government has overlooked the reporters’ recommendation to refuse the application.
Last updated 18th Feb 2025
Campaigners say they're not giving up the fight against the Scottish Government after a controversial decision on replacing pylons in the Galloway area.
It’s been announced that upgrades to 27 miles of overhead powerlines from Kendoon to Tongland are going ahead - despite locals fighting for underground cabling.
This comes after a seven-year lengthy debate and public inquiry.
Reporters recommended that the application should be refused but ministers saw greater value in supplying energy to 30,000 Dumfries and Galloway homes.
Paul Swift of the Galloway Without Pylons (GWP) campaign group says the fight is not over yet.
“The only course of action now is a judicial review which would cost many thousands of pounds. We are currently assessing this at present with our KC but first of all, we have to digest the reports from the reporter – 294 pages – and from the Scottish Government which is 154 pages.
“Now it’s going to be a difficult decision as the community has already raised £25,000 to pay for our KC and energy expert. I would then need to ask for a lot more money.
“It is particularly upsetting to think that the public inquiry that cost the taxpayer many thousands of pounds has been totally disregarded.”
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The original structure was built in the 1930s.
Replacing them would see the pylons go through Galloway Forest Park – one of the region’s biggest natural attractions which concerns Swift.
“Many tourists have said to me that they wouldn’t come back, certainly during the construction phase which could last five or six years, and they would think twice about coming back if they’re going to see pylons ruin the countryside.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said:
“This project will replace outdated infrastructure which can no longer be maintained to avoid the risk of power outages in the Dumfries and Galloway area and increase the provision of renewable energy to the network.
“Any potential impact on communities and our natural environment will always be forefront in considering any planning application but in this particular instance Ministers have decided that the benefits of protecting the security of electricity supply for around 30,000 residents and providing low carbon energy to the network means that consent should be granted to this application.”