Loch Kemp/Loch Ness Pumped Storage Hydro_PS-270-2
Day 4 Accompanied Site Visit
Strathnairn CC, Stratherrick & Foyers CC plus Ness Salmon & Fisheries Board joined >
- Scottish Government ‘Reporter’
- Highland Council Planning Department
- Statera’s Project Manager
to visit the planned site which – if consented – will become the Head Pond (Loch Kemp), understand its relationship to the Tail Pond (Loch Ness), the location/height/width of the 8 Dams, where Quarrying is planned (borrow pit) and the Site Compound (where deliveries will be made to, on-site accommodation and services will be located).
For Strathnairn the latter has a traffic implication along the B851 road; as the transportation route for HGVs (carrying material, load or plant) to or from the proposed site (at Whitebridge) over the 5-7 year planned construction phase should Planning Permission for the above be granted, and the project proceeds.
For avoidance of doubt the proposed transportation route is identified as the A9, B851 & B862; with Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AILs) proposed to be transported along the Canal & Loch System.
The purpose of the visit was to consolidate the evidence; bringing greater clarity – where needed – to any areas of doubt which remained on the back of the evidence supplied and/or the hearing process. This was agreed with all parties present (Developer, Local Authority and Local Community Councils/Impacted Communities).
Conflicts of interest are centred on a substantial part of the site which takes in the outfall of Loch Kemp, extends to the banks of Loch Ness and is designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Within this ‘area’ a dam is proposed to be constructed to contain the outfall and a part of the SAC is proposed to be lost to inundation; this would result in the loss of a rich habitat which supports a wide range of flora and fauna, and is known to contain ancient woodland and rare lichen.
SAC’s are strictly protected sites designated under the Habitats Directive to conserve habitats and species. Under NPF4 and the Habitats Regulations, developments likely to have a significant effect on a SAC require an appropriate assessment to ensure no adverse impact on site integrity.
As part of this visit the focus was on the formation of a track through the site (installed without planning consent), the planned location of dams, inundation zone and the relationship/impact of planned works to the SAC.
The developer confirmed the location of on-site tests that have been undertaken to date or are running/live to collect data (particularly in relationship to ground conditions and water) and monitor conditions.
Developers are Statera Energy Limited Loch Kemp Storage · Statera Energy