275kV cable works at Land Between Skateraw And Branxton

What was proposed

Approval was sought for the layout, siting and access arrangements for six 275kV cable circuits, transition joint bays and associated construction works.

“Through this application, permission is sought for the approval of matters specified in condition 2 of planning permission in principle 23/00162/PPM in respect of the 275kV Cable Works (works within Development Zones 1-3 and 4a), so for the detail of the layout and siting of the electricity cables and the transition joint bays and the means of access to them.”

“Transition joint bays would be required to connect the offshore export cables and the onshore cables. Each transition joint bay would consist of an underground box-like structure that houses the cable joints and associated link boxes containing three of the six circuits.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The 598-hectare site runs between the Innerwick and Bilsdean/Dunglass A1 junctions, across countryside, with parts within two special landscape areas.

“COMMITTEE: Planning Committee M EETING DATE: March 2026 BY : Depute Chief Executive – Resources and Economy R EPORT TITLE: Application for Planning Permission for Consideration Application no.”

“The nor thern part of the site is situated in the countryside on the north side of the 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.”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers found the detailed layout and access arrangements broadly consistent with the earlier permission, planning policies and environmental requirements.

“Therefore, in the determination of this application the Council, as Planning Authority, can only concern itself with the layout and siting of the electricity cables and associated infrastructure and the means of access to them. In this regard the detailed proposals have to be considered against relevant development plan policy and the requirements of condition 2 attached to planning permission in principle 23/00162/PPM.”

“The layout proposed through this approval of matters application for the electricity cables and associated infrastructure and the means of access to them is broadly consistent with the indicative layout docketed to planning permission in principle 23/00162/PPM.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Road, rail, water, flooding and environmental consultees raised no objections, while road officers requested a hard-formed overrun area at access point 3.

“The Council’s Road Services raise no objection to the proposed development, satisfied the arrangements for access are acceptable and would not result in a road or pedestrian safety hazard, consistent with Policies T1 and T2 of the East Lothian Local Development Plan 2018. They do however recommend that the over-run area at AP3 should not be formed of a loose material.”

“The Council’s Team Manager – Structures and Flooding raises no objection to the application on the grounds of flooding or drainage. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) also raise no objection to the application.”

Officer report

Objections and community comments

One objection raised concerns about completeness, access, noise, vibration, a protected site, roads, traffic and planting; the community council requested management plans.

“* the application is incomplete as all the conditions of planning permission in principle 23/00162/PPM have not been submitted; * the proposals may impede the right to roam; * issues of noise and vibration; * potential damage to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and; * matters of road safety, traffic impacts and planting.”

“East Lammermuir Community Council have been consulted on the application and advise that they do not wish to comment on the detailed technical content of the submitted documents and has faith in the expert approach of the other consultees and East Lothian Council itself to judge this content. They do make comment on the need for a Construction Traffic Management and Routing Plan (CTMRP), Public Access Management Plan, Construction Environment Management Plan and Noise.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A community council representative spoke about public access, while the applicant’s representatives discussed temporary closures, safety and possible alternatives.

What members discussed

Members discussed cumulative access closures, safe A1 crossings, community communication, construction disruption, biodiversity and long-term community benefits.

“Committee members asked questions on: whether the cumulative impact of the closure of the public access point could be considered in determining the application; and the potential for a safe route across the A1 to be provided. [name withheld] pointed to the requirement from the permissions in principle for a Public Access Management Plan for both this project and for Eastern Green Link.”

“Committee members commented on: the national significance of the project in energy decarbonisation; feeling encouraged by the constructive dialogue between SSE and ELCC; the importance of getting details right to look after small communities; the importance of continued communication and safe access for local villages; an appreciation of the time of ELCC’s volunteers to scrutinise proposals; feeling encouraged by the developer’s response to questions; a preference to build a…”

Minutes

The vote

Members unanimously voted in favour of the officer’s recommendation to grant consent.

“The Convener then moved to a roll call vote on the officer’s recommendation to grant consent, and Committee members unanimously voted in favour of this recommendation.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions requiring works at access point 3 and compliance with flood-modelling recommendations.

“Planning Committee agreed to grant the application, subject to the following conditions:”

“The de velopment hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the recommendations as set out in Part 3 of the Berwick Bank Dry Burn Crossing Flood Modelling Report February 2026 (ref: BK-JON-000-CST-BOD-0006) that is docketed to this planning permission. Re ason: In the interests of flood protection. 3.PLA NNING APPLICATION NO.”

Minutes