Hello everyone I hope you are keeping well.

Its been a long time since an update has been presented and I thought it would be good to let you all know the present status as published by the Crathes, Drumoak, and Durris, community council on 12th February 2026.

SSEN’s 400kV Pylon Application: Kintore to Tealing.
SSEN Transmission has been progressing its proposal for a new 400kV overhead line between Kintore (Aberdeenshire) and Tealing (Angus). The line forms part of the national Pathway to 2030 reinforcement programme and has gone through extensive public consultation.
Current Position (February 2026) SSEN submitted its Section 37 application for the 400kV overhead line to the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit on 19 September 2025.
This includes approximately 119 km of new overhead line and associated works, including new substations at Emmock (Tealing) and Hurlie (Fetteresso Forest) although substation applications are handled by local authorities.
The project has undergone three rounds of consultation since 2023, with route refinements made in response to community concerns, including changes around Drumoak, Echt, and other areas. Due to objections, most notably from Angus Council, the application has now been referred to the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) for inquiry. The case has been assigned reporters, and further procedures are pending.
The Kintore–Tealing 400kV overhead line application is not yet approved and is now subject to a formal public inquiry process under the DPEA. The Community Council will monitor upcoming inquiry details as they are published.

SSEN’s Hurlie 400kV Substation Application
The proposed Hurlie substation, located in Fetteresso Forest near Stonehaven, is intended to form a key node for the Kintore–Tealing 400kV network reinforcement. Current Position (February 2026) SSEN submitted its planning application to Aberdeenshire Council in 2024 under reference APP/2024/1951 after moving the substation from the previously proposed site at Fiddes.
On 30 January 2026, Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee rejected the application following a seven‑hour debate, citing landscape and environmental concerns. The proposal had attracted over 2,000 objections from the public.
SSEN has confirmed it will appeal the decision, stating that the project is essential for supporting clean energy transmission and meets relevant policy and environmental requirements. The appeal will proceed through the Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division.  
The Hurlie Substation proposal has been refused planning permission, but an appeal is being prepared and will be lodged with the DPEA. The Community Council will continue to follow the appeal process closely.