20 Feb 2010

 Update briefing on Powerline Electric and Magnetic fields (EMFs) and ill health Feb 2010

14 Feb 2010

Consent to build the Beauly to Denny 400kV Overhead Power Line was granted by the SNP Government on January 6th 2010. The full text of the Minister's statement to Parliament, background on the application, the report of the public local inquiry, advice to the Energy Minister and a range of other information is available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/beauly-denny. The announcement was devastating for Stirling Before Pylons - but bewildering too, because the Minister, Jim Mather, talked on Newsnight and then the following week in an Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee of extensive conditions and major mitigation which could include undergrounding.

Two of the three areas specified by the Minister are individual properties - but the third is "Stirling", stretching from the Ochils to Plean. Mitigation for the "Stirling" area is to be determined by Scottish Power in consultation with Stirling Council and there will be a full Council meeting on March 11th devoted to this issue. The Council continues to support Scottish Natural Heritage's position of undergrounding to the west of Stirling, as proposed at the Public Inquiry. So it is vital that you let your local councillors know your views, so that they can represent these to the Council. You are also welcome to attend the Council meeting on March 11th.

Public Petition PE812 was reviewed again last week. Here is the relevant documentation and a press release. The Committee has written to the Minister asking for clarification on the health concerns and undergrounding.

 SBP Response to PE812 - Jan 2010
 SBP Press Release - Feb 2010
 Scottish Government: Letter from Chef Medical officer to Public Petitions Committee

13 Feb 2010

Central Scotland MSP Dr Richard Simpson is angry that the health issues surrounding the proposed Beauly-Denny power line have been totally ignored. SBP believes the risk of childhood leukaemia near high-voltage power lines is doubled, as well as increased risk of certain adult cancers, depression and suicide. The Labour MSP said that a report by the Sage advisory group is at least four years out of date on the medical evidence. "I remain concerned both as a representative of the area but also as a doctor that the precautionary principle is being largely ignored," he said. "The fact that there was no discussion on the health issue leading to a rejection of that precautionary principle is, I think, politically unacceptable." Read more here on the Daily Record website:

Health concerns row erupts around controversial Beauly-Denny power line plans 09/02/10

16 Dec 2009

 Consideration of PE812 November 2009

 European Health Update (EMFs and Ill Health)

 Magnetic Fields and Child Brain Tumors

 Statement to the Petitions Committee on Health Issues Dec 2009

 Helath Protection Agency: Consideration of PE812

 Scottish Government Chief Medical Officer Consideration of PE812

 StBP Press Release Dec 3 2009

 StBP Press Release Nov 29 2009

16 Dec 2009

 Government response to SAGE

 StBP Review of the Government response to SAGE

 Children With Leukaemia Press Release: Government Refuses to Protect Young Lives

14 Apr 2009

 European Parliament Press Release EMF Resolution 2 April 2009

 SBP Press Release EMF Resolution 8 April 2009

 SBP Briefing: EMFs and Health Risks

31 Mar 2009

On 17th February 2009 the Reporters to the Public Inquiry presented their 6-volume report on the Inquiry, held in 2007, to civil servants in the Energy Consents Unit. It is now up to the Scottish Ministers to come to a final decision about the Beauly – Denny power line proposals. We don’t know how long that will take – it could be within weeks, or might take all year. The Reporters' findings on the Public Inquiry will be held in confidence until the Ministers announce their final decision.

Stirling Before Pylons is now working hard, with Friends of the Ochils, on two main fronts. First, we want to ensure that the civil servants and the Scottish Ministers are fully aware of relevant recent developments. These include:

• the continuing development of the scientific evidence on negative impacts on health of living close to high-voltage power lines;
• the increasing number of developments on the undergrounding of high-voltage power lines in many parts of Europe, and
• moves by Historic Scotland to set up a register of battlefields in Scotland, with a view to protecting those of sufficient merit from adverse development. The Sheriffmuir Battlefield is one of the least spoilt, and most important, of those that should be listed.

Second, we want to remind relevant politicians that large numbers of people in the Stirling area have strong views against the Beauly-Denny proposals. We encourage supporters to write to their Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs), or to write to the press, to express their views. We have produced a post card, which we aim to get thousands of people to sign and send to the local constituency MSPs (Keith Brown – Ochil and Bruce Crawford – Stirling), asking them to tell the relevant Ministers about the strength of feelings in this area. You can find these post cards in a number of shops and other outlets in the area, and they will be available at street stalls in Stirling and at the Stirling Farmers Market. We urge you to fill one in and send it off. Alternatively, download and print a letter version of the post card, and send that in.

 Download and print a letter version of the SBP post card
(1.75MB, PDF format - right-click the link and select "Save Target As" to download to your computer)

 SBP Briefing: Undergrounding in Europe (March 2009)

04 Mar 2009

There was tremendous support on 3 March 2009 from Public Petitions Committee members for the concerns raised by Stirling Before Pylons regarding the latest response from the Scottish Government. Nanette Milne MSP requested further investigation into the reduced undergrounding costings. Nigel Don MSP questioned the Scottish Government's dismissal of health concerns in the light of recent scientific papers and also questioned the Health Protection Agency's competence in addressing these. He said that history has taught us to take heed of such warnings, and feared that there was a lack of communication between the HPA and other review bodies which strongly advocate precautions, a sentiment supported by Robin Harpur MSP. Bill Butler MSP questioned whether the government is really confident that there are no long term risks and referred to the latest studies showing an increased risk of Alzheimers. John Farquar Munro MSP said that in the light of all the evidence showing HVOTLs to present a serious hazard to public health, the precautionary principle should apply. John Wilson MSP referred to the WHO's recognition of HVOTLs presenting a potential health hazard.

 Press Release: Public Petitions Committee Supports Health Concerns 4 March 2009

 Scotland Before Pylons Briefing Note March 2009: roposed Beauly - Denny Upgrade to HVOTL Not Necessary

03 Mar 2009

Our petition on the adverse health effects associated with living in close proximity to high voltage overhead transmission lines (HVOTL) - PE812 - came up for further review by the Public Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 3 March 2009. Although we continue to be disappointed by the response from the Scottish Government, we are hopeful that the Petitions Committee can continue to push for the latest scientific evidence raised in PE812 to be properly addressed. Our petition continues to receive cross-party support from MSPs, including Murdo Fraser (Con) and Prof Christopher Harvie (SNP).

 Press Release: Review of PE812 by Public Petitions Committee 3 March 2009

 Alan Cameron Letter to PPC 15 Jan 2009

 SBP Response to Latest Consideration of PE812

15 Dec 2008

Stirling Before Pylons continues to hold very serious concerns for public health from high-voltage overhead transmission lines (HVOTLs). We are not alone in this, and Germany has now joined other European countries in legislating meaningful precautionary measures. However, the Scottish Government continues to ignore our concerns about HVOTLs. View these documents for further information:

 SBP Press Release - 13 December 2008

 Scottish Government Consideration of Petition PE812 - Alan Cameron's Letter to Petitions Committee 31 October 2008

 SBP Response to Alan Cameron's Letter of 31 october 2008

2 Dec 2008

The recent publication of the Swiss National Cohort Study (Huss et al., American Journal of Epidemiology Nov 5 2008) into the relationship between Alzheimer’s disease and residential proximity to high-voltage overhead transmission lines (HVOTLs) was reported in the Express newspaper (Nov 11 2008, Pylons double risk of dying from dementia), at the end of which a spokesperson from the Department of Health said it "was reviewing its position in the light of the study"... we have requested a cop of their review and await their response with interest. This major Swiss study analysed 4.7 million people over a 5 year period and shows a clear and quantifiable association between HVOTLs and the disease. The association becomes stronger with closeness to power lines and duration of exposure. Living within 50 metres of a high-voltage power line for 15 years or more reveals a doubling of risk of Alzheimer's disease.

 Swiss National Cohort Study (Huss et al., American Journal of Epidemiology Nov 5 2008)

This Swiss study is not isolated, but consistent with the combined analyses of risk of Alzheimer’s with occupational exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields (Garcia et al, 2008). Moreover, Alzheimer's sufferers display significantly reduced melatonin levels, so this study adds credibility to the plausible biological mechanism based on reduced melatonin levels.

The evidence for risk of Alzheimer's from HVOTLs is now quantitatively comparable with that for Childhood Leukaemia, for which magnetic fields have been internationally recognised as an IARC class 2B carcinogen, with the UK’s own Draper Report (2005) quantifying the risk with distance from HVOTLs. The Health Protection Agency claim that even if they were to accept a causal link between powerlines and childhood leukaemia they would not recommend precautions on account of the relatively small number of children involved. Last week Terry Pratchett's petition to Gordon Brown put the case for the 700,000 Alzheimer's sufferers in the UK, with an annual cost of £17bn to the UK economy. The numbers involved are therefore significantly higher than with childhood leukaemia, so the cost benefit analysis must now surely swing in favour of precautionary measures for the most vulnerable, young and old alike, in our society.

2 Dec 2008

Switzerland introduced precautions to protect their public from the adverse health effects of HVOTLs back in 1999. The latest country to introduce precautionary measures is Germany. Their recommendation that no new HVOTLs should come within 200m of individual properties or 400m of residential areas is in accordance with the latest epidemiological studies. The new German legislation has been developed specifically in response to their development of Renewable Energy which requires major new grid infrastructure. They are proposing to underground a significant proportion of these new lines. Austria is now considering following suit. We have requested details and a transcript of the German legislation from the appropriate ministry - but prior to its arrival have written up some notes.

12 Mar 2008

Petitions Committee to strongly recommend Scottish Government adopt a precautionary approach and investigate subject further.
PE812 on the adverse health effects associated with living in close proximity to high voltage overhead transmission lines (HVOTL) was reviewed on February 19th by the Petitions Committee of the Scottish Parliament. The petition, submitted by Caroline Paterson on behalf of Stirling Before Pylons, calls for a recognition of associated adverse health effects and the implementation of planning regulations to protect the public. It has been under review by the Committee for over 3 years. Yesterday's meeting positively endorsed PE812 as an issue of great concern, both to politicians and the public, requiring continued investigation by the Scottish Government with the strong recommendation that a precautionary approach be adopted. The petition was supported by Dr Richard Simpson MSP (Lab), who drew a close analogy with the risks associated with passive smoking (together with Kenny Gibson MSP he introduced the private members bill on passive smoking in 2001). Dr Simpson talked of the overwhelming evidence for an association with childhood leukaemia and living in close proximity to HVOTLs, but referred also to the latest research into associated adult conditions, including Alzheimers. He stressed that precautionary measures should be taken now based on the latest scientific studies, and that to wait until absolute proof, would be too late. Moreover, the costs then of rerouting HVOTL would be prohibitive, so there was every reason, including costs, to act now in a precautionary manner. This point was supported by several Committee members, reinforcing the cross-party support there has always been for PE812.

Keith Brown MSP (SNP) also supported PE812 referring to the Westminster Cross-Party Inquiry Report (July 2007) which called for a building moratorium of 60m, extending to 200m for extra high voltage lines, such as the Beauly to Denny 400kV. His recent parliamentary motion S3-800 gained the support of approx. a third of MSPs. He also referred to the massive public concern on this issue, with the Beauly to Denny proposal generating 14000 objections specificlly raising health concerns. Mr Brown talked of precautionary guidelines already adopted in other countries, and his wish that the Scottish Government address these together with the latest scientific evidence.

The Convener of the Petitions Committee, Frank McAveety agreed that there was a consensus that the Committee write to the Scottish Government strongly advising them to adopt a precautionary approach, and to look for a legislative window on how this might best be achieved. The Convener also called for the most up-to-date research to be studied by the government, with a review of precautions already adopted in other countries, including the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, some Italian and German regions, some US states, Australia etc.

Petitioner, Caroline Paterson of Stirling Before Pylons : "I am greatly encouraged by the unanimous, cross-party approval of the Petitions Committee to proactively investigate this important subject, with a commitment to a precautionary approach. The Petitions Committee review many important issues, and PE812 has been in the system for over 3 years, but I do now feel that the Scottish Government will be seriously addressing this subject of immense public concern".

4 Feb 2008

Ochil MSP, Keith Brown has a motion currently lodged with the Scottish Parliament (S3M-800) on the Cross Party Report on Leukaemia which, together with ammendment S3M-800.1 from Dr Richard Simpson, has substantial support with over one third of MSPs signed up.

1 Feb 2008

Prof Denis Henshaw, one of our expert witnesses at the strategic public inquiry in Perth, recently took part in an Irish television feature covering a local anti-pylon campaign.

31 Jan 2008

Thanks to all who attended the public meeting in Blairlogie on 17 December 2007 . The BBC was there to film the meeting and cover the campaign for a feature which aired across the UK on the One Show. The feature lasted about 15 minutes and hopefully helped to raise awareness of the very serious health issues. You can see the feature online via the One Show website.

25 Jan 2008

The Stirling Before Pylons Petition on Powerlines and Adverse Health Effects (PE812) is up for review at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 19 February 2008. Keith Brown MSP and Dr Richard Simpson MSP hope to attend to support this issue being addressed by the Committee and the Government.

12 Dec 2007

There is a public meeting to discuss the Health Issue on Monday December 17th, 12.30 onwards in the Reading Room (village hall), just off the square in Blairlogie. Ochil MSP Keith Brown will be introducing his parliamentary motion, S3M - 800, regarding the Westminster Cross-Party Inquiry Report into childhood leukaemia and power lines. There will also be an update on the progress of the health case at the Public Inquiry, and a briefing on the latest developments in Westminster. Everyone is welcome to attend. The BBC will be filming the meeting for a current affairs programme and we hope this will help to publicise the health issue more widely.

 Parliamentary Motion S3M - 800

10 Dec 2007

On Thursday Dec 6th Dr Sylvia Jackson gave evidence on behalf of the hundreds of constituents who objected to the Beauly to Denny proposals during her time in office. Dr Jackson’s attempted to refer to critical new reports highlighting the dangers of living close to high voltage power lines and was stopped by the reporters, chairing the Inquiry meeting. After the Inquiry session last Thursday Sylvia Jackson said: “ These new reports are vitally important and the implications of their recommendations must be discussed in the context of this local inquiry. The Beauly to Denny powerlines proposals does not comply with them”.

 Press Release: Sylvia Jackson Gives Evidence

3 Dec 2007

On Friday 30th November, Shadow Health Minister Dr Richard Simpson MSP gave evidence to the Beauly to Denny Public Inquiry in Stirling on behalf of StirlingBeforePylons.org. He drew on his medical expertise to reject the routing of the proposed Beauly to Denny 400kV line in close proximity to houses, educational establishments and care facilities. He stated that the publication of the Draper Report (BMJ June 2005) had changed his view on the dangers of living in close proximity to power lines. He now has serious concerns about their definite/probable health effects. He drew an analogy with his work on the dangers of passive smoking – an issue initially hidden by the tobacco industry. SHETL & SP still deny the health risks associated with living in close proximity to high voltage overhead transmission lines (HVOTLs), despite international acknowledgement of the doubled risk of childhood leukaemia associated with those living within c.100m.

Dr Simpson expressed particular concern at the close proximity of the proposed line to hundreds of homes in the Eastern Villages (Plean, Fallin, Cowie) of Stirling. These communities, with 7,000 residents, have suffered from unemployment and associated health inequalities since the closure of the mines. Dr Simpson stated that the routing of this line to the east of Stirling went against his principle of social justice, having spent years trying to improve the health and welfare of these disadvantaged communities.

An estimated 2000 plus people in the Stirling area alone will be within 600m of the line – a distance at which a significant increased risk of childhood leukaemia was reported in the Draper study. There are approximately 40 properties within the critical 200m band at which there is a 70% increased risk of childhood leukaemia.

 Precognition: Richard Simpson

 Press Release: Richard Simpson on Health Implications 3 Dec 07

26 Nov 2007

Last week's Landscape and Visual session concentrated on the threat to the southern scarp slope of the Ochils, Yellowcraig Wood, and the Dumyat / Cocksburn Reservoir area of the Sheriffmuir road - plus the impact on the Eastern Villages area, the loss of views from further along the Sheriffmuir road, the danger to the University campus’ designation as a Historic Garden Designed Landscape and the detriment to the Area of Great Landscape Value designation for the Ochils.

When asked how she had reacted to the applicants’ Landscape assessment (given her own thorough examination of the issues), Scottish Natural Heritage's Landscape witness, Carol Anderson, responded: “I was astounded.”

Friday’s Archaeology session focused on the impact on the Sheriffmuir battlefield. Alan Leslie’s assessment (for the applicants) is that the overhead line would not cause undue damage. However he admitted his assessment was entirely from the point of view of an archaeologist and he readily acknowledged that, from an historical point of view, the battlefield's importance is immense. We believe that not only is the battlefield of great importance but so too are the landscape settings of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle. Alan Leslie also confirmed he had relied on advice from Dr Tony Pollard in his assessment of the battlefield. Tony Pollard put out a major press release, on the day of Alan Leslie’s evidence, drawing attention to the importance of Scotland’s key battlefields – including Sheriffmuir – and urging greater protection for them from developments such as the power line. This got full-page coverage in Saturday’s Herald, and a half page in The Times.

The battle for the Archaeology and Cultural Heritage issues will recommence on Tuesday, 27th November.

22 Nov 2007

It is with immense sadness that we announce that Archie Bone, who was to have given evidence at the Public Inquiry on behalf of Stirling Before Pylons as a spokesperson for the village of Fallin, died suddenly yesterday. His health had been rather poor for some time. Archie will be a huge loss to his community and to all who knew him - he was, in more ways than one, a larger-than-life character, and a fount of local knowledge. We will ensure that Stirling Before Pylons is represented at his funeral, and will seek to ensure that proper recognition is given to him at the Public Inquiry.

22 Nov 2007

The Applicants are clearly reluctant to address the health concerns surrounding this proposal and attempted to have many of our supporting documents disallowed on the grounds that they are not relevant. These documents reaffirm the Stirling public's fears that the Beauly to Denny proposal will have a seriously detrimental impact on their health and we are delighted to report that all of our supporting documents on the issue have now been allowed.

21 Nov 2007

Stirling Before Pylons fears that Public concern over health and the powerline proposal may not be addressed at the Stirling Public Inquiry. Evidence submitted by Stirling Before Pylons focuses on environmental issues, including the historic and natural landscape (the line would pass through the Sheriffmuir battlefield and destroy the stunning Ochils backdrop to the Wallace Monument) and community amenity issues, with particular reference to the adverse health effects associated with HVOTL. One of the key issues in this campaign is the adverse health effect of living in close proximity to HVOTLs. Since 2004 it has been internationally acknowledged that living close to such lines doubles the risk of childhood leukaemia. The UK Draper report (BMJ June 2005) quantified a 70% increased risk of the disease within 200m of HVOTLs. Concern for public health has been central to opposition in the Stirling area, with this being the most populated section of the route. The route passes to the east of the City, alongside rural settlements and the Eastern Villages. Hundreds of homes in the area would have serious health effects imposed on them, and thousands of individuals would potentially suffer as a result, with a University Hall of Residence potentially standing at only 200m. The Applicants have underestimated the numbers who would be affected. The reporters were initially reluctant to address this subject, but with government policy currently under review, they allowed the science to be briefly examined in Feb at the Strategic Public Inquiry in Perth.

Related Link: Children with Leukaemia: Report will save lives

 Press Release: Health Concerns 16 Nov 07

20 Nov 2007

Three giant posters will be positioned at the Keir roundabout on the M9 (Junction11) to the west of Stirling from Tuesday 20 November 2007, to mark the start of the Stirling Session of the Public Inquiry. Our thanks to Colin Kilgour and Clive Kilgour who kindly gave their time to erect the posters. Full photography and design credits can be found here.

19 Nov 2007

The Stirling Public Inquiry starts on Tuesday 20th November in the Golden Lion Hotel, 8-10 King Street in the centre of Stirling at 10.00am. As this is the first day there is likely to be some Media interest - so please attend if you can from 9.15AM onwards. This is a Public Inquiry, so anybody can attend and Stirling Before Pylons would really appreciate your support. It is important that the Reporters are made aware of the strength of local opposition to this proposal, so please do come along if you can - even if just for an hour or two.

You can download the timetable here:  Stirling Public Inquiry Timetable

Please note that (from our recent experience in Perth) there is no way of guaranteeing that the timetable will be strictly adhered to -so be prepared for some flexibility. For those with concerns about the health issue, please be aware that the Reporters are extremely reluctant to hear evidence on this topic (and none has been submitted by the Applicants (Scottish & Southern Energy and Scottish Power) for the Stirling session. In the timetable the topic of health comes under the heading of "Communities". Although scientific evidence was raised at the Strategic Public Inquiry in Perth, Stirling Before Pylons is committed to raising public concern on this topic at the Stirling session - this being the most populated section of the route with many homes and institutions threatened by their close proximity to the proposal.

The Public Inquiry will take place each week from Tuesday to Friday starting at 10.00am and finishing at either 4.00pm or 5.00pm (see timetable) until December 20th. Read more in the Public Inquiry section.

Precognitions for Stirling Public Inquiry.

2 Oct 2007

Anyone interested in supporting the campaign should attend the full Stirling Council meeting in the Council Chambers, old Viewforth on Thursday 4th October 2007 at 7pm. It is important for Stirling Council to understand the continued strength of local feeling on this issue, thereby increasing the chances of them presenting a reasonable case at the Public Inquiry. We are informed that a special motion regarding the power line will be presented at the start of this meeting.

27 Sep 2007

 Update briefing on Powerline Electric and Magnetic fields (EMFs) and ill health

27 Sep 2007

The Reporters for the Beauly to Denny Public Inquiry have rejected a critical new study submitted as evidence by Stirling Before Pylons. "The BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for a Biologically-based Public Exposure Standard for Electromagnetic Fields" was published on August 31st 2007 by the The BioInitiative Working Group and submitted to the Inquiry Reporters within days. However, they chose to reject the document, claiming it was late and not material to the inquiry. Read the report online here: www.bioinitiative.org. Chapters 1 and 17 particularly relevant. The Report (from highly acclaimed international scientists) dissents from existing ICNIRP and WHO guidelines, and recommends an interim planning limit of 0.1 microtesla for homes near new lines, which in practical terms would equate with a building moratorium of approximately 200metres for HVOTL.

 SBP Press Release: Public Inquiry Reporters Reject Critical New Study

27 Sep 2007

In July 2007, the Westminster Cross-Party "Inquiry into Childhood Leukaemia and Extremely Low Frequency Electric and Magnetic Fields (ELF EMF)" was published and can be veiwed online here: www.epolitix.com/forum/cpielfemf. This publication by a group of Westminster MPs calls on the government to adopt precautionary measures for HVOTL. Its key recommendation is for “a moratorium on the building of new HVOTL within 60m of existing homes and schools”, with the further recommendation that “government consider the case for extending this distance to 200m”. One of the study’s stated aims is to inform devolved governments, including the Scottish Government, of the current state of research in this field. The Beauly to Denny proposals do not comply with these recommendations.

19 Sep 2007

Scotland Before Pylons is an umbrella group representing and supporting local groups along the 120 miles of the proposed new Beauly to Denny overhead transmission line.

 Scotland Before Pylons briefing to MSPs, 19th September 2007

 Scotland Before Pylons Press Release, 18th September 2007

9 Sep 2007

Although the Panorama programme focuses on the WiFi (wireless free technology) issue and not powerline EMFs (electric and magnetic fields), many of the individuals and organisations interviewed work in both fields. The programme highlights the obstacles set by industry to prevent precautionary health measures being adopted, when the evidence for a potential health hazard is high. There is however some hope in that Sir William Stewart, who advocates precautionary measures for children from WiFi technology, is the head of the Health Protection Agency currently reviewing the SAGE Report (Stakeholders Advisory Group on Electric and Magnetic Fields).

You can watch this BBC Panorama documentary on the dangers of radio frequency radiation online here: Wi-Fi: A Warning Signal. A transcript of the show is also available online, via the BBC website.

Read more about Health Concerns.

12 Mar 2007

The Beauly Denny Public Inquiry started on 6 February 2007. You can view or download our Strategy Session briefing notes from the Public Inquiry section.

Beauly Denny Public Inquiry website: www.beaulydenny.co.uk