Villagers Launch Campaign to Halt Highland Power Plant

By DAVID ROSS HIGHLAND CORRESPONDENT

A VILLAGE in Perthshire is trying to stop a hydro scheme being built in its heart. And the community association in Invervar in Glen Lyon yesterday launched a campaign, supported by the Scottish Green Party, to stop the 1.2-megawatt project.

Local residents complain that the proposed power house would be in the old smithy, less than 100 metres from 88per cent of the population and just five metres from the village playground.

“We support a sensitively sited hydro scheme being built on the Invervar burn but this proposal will have a devastating impact on the community, ” said campaign spokeswoman Fiona Grant.

“We have raised these concerns with our local MSP, John Swinney, about our homes being bombarded with noise, and the private water supply from the burn drying up.”

Residents want the scheme, proposed by local landowner Alasdair Riddell, to be modified to minimise the impact on the village, tourism, and the local environment.

There is particular concern about the effect the scheme could have on visitor numbers, particularly canoeists and climbers and hillwalkers who come to Invervar.

Andrew Thompson, vice-convener of Perth Green Party, said: “The Green Party is fully supportive of the development of well designed, environmentally sensitive, and socially responsible hydro schemes on burns and rivers, as these can make a significant contribution to renewable energy supplies.

“However, it is clear to me that the plans submitted for the Invervar burn satisfy none of these tests.

“It is a shame the developers’ desire to squeeze a quart out of a pint pot in terms of the potential of the Invervar burn to generate sustainable renewable energy is incompatible with the needs of the local community and has resulted in unnecessary tensions.”

But Mr Riddell said that such concerns were unjustified.

“We have carried out extensive research which has led to a logical and sensible proposal being put to the authorities, taking into account all social and environmental factors.

“The proposal is well documented, and meets all technical and environmental standards. All relevant issues raised have been thoroughly reviewed by a range of professional researchers and consultants.

“We have taken appropriate actions and mitigating measures where necessary.”

Originally published by Newsquest Media Group.

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