Electrical substation at Land Between Skateraw And Branxton

The site and setting

The large site extends between the A1 junctions, the coast and Branxton, across countryside containing special landscape areas and nearby homes.

“COMMITTEE: Planning Committee MEETING DATE: June 2026 BY: Depute Chief Executive – Resources and Economy REPORT TITLE: Application for Planning Permission for Consideration Application no. 26/00304/AMM Proposal Approval of matters specified in condition 2 of planning permission 23/00162/PPM - in respect of the Substation Development Area including the Substation Enabling Works (Part of Development Zone 4a) and the Substation (Zone 4b) Location Land Between Skateraw and…”

“A1 and the remainder of the site generally consists of more countryside on the southern side of the A1. The village of Innerwick is located to the south and west of the application site. The area of land comprising the northernmost part of the application site where it meets the coast is within the Dunbar to Barns Ness Coast Special Landscape Area. A small part of the southern end of the application site is within the Monynut to Blackcastle Special Landscape Area.”

Officer report

Planning permission and history

The proposal forms part of the Berwick Bank Wind Farm transmission infrastructure, following planning permission in principle and earlier cable approvals.

“Following the connection of the offshore export cables to the onshore cables at the transition joint bays, it was indicated in planning permission in principle 23/00162/PPM that the onshore cables would be routed through predominantly agricultural land between the coast at Skateraw and the East Coast Main Line and A1 trunk road.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative explained the design, community engagement and environmental benefits, while the community council raised concerns about consultation and conditions.

What members discussed

Members discussed decommissioning, national energy needs, changing technology, community information, the conditions and public access to open space.

“At the debate stage, Committee members commented on: there perhaps being scope in the second iteration of the Local Development Plan for stricter rules to require Decommissioning Plans at the application stage; the infrastructure being essential to national energy needs; that the technology used could change dramatically over time; efforts being made to ensure communities were well informed about what was coming forward; the conditions being acceptable; and the need to…”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee unanimously supported the officer’s recommendation to grant consent.

“The Convener moved to a roll call vote on the officer’s recommendation to grant consent, and this was supported unanimously.”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning consent was granted subject to six conditions controlling finishes, equipment, fencing, paths, public facilities and visibility at the access.

“Planning consent was granted, subject to the following conditions:”

“Prior to the commencement of development of the publicly accessible car park and community use area as shown on docketed drawing no. 241998_SLR_SEO_DR_G_204 Rev 02, full details of the layout, surfacing and any ancillary works (including lighting, drainage, boundary treatments, access paths and disabled and cycle parking provision) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Planning Authority.”

Minutes