Rare herb may scupper hydro power plan

Published on Wednesday 2 December 2009 21:50

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a hydro-electric scheme at a beauty spot immortalised in a song by Robert Burns have been put on hold after the discovery of a rare herb in the area.

• The Birks of Aberfeldy were immortalised in the song of the same name by Robert Burns after he visited the Perthshire beauty spot in 1787

Earlier this year, Perth and Kinross Council approved plans by Green Highland Renewables for a "run of river" scheme close to the historic Falls of Moness at the Birks of Aberfeldy.

But it has been revealed that concerns have been raised about a rare plant, known as small cow wheat, which has been found in woodland close to the development site.

The Aberfeldy common good committee, which owns the land, had been due to meet on 16 December to discuss leasing part of the world-famous site for a turbine house for the development.

But the meeting has been postponed until late February to allow a more detailed report to be prepared on a number of environmental issues, including information about the prevalence of small cow wheat in the area.

Local campaigners claim the new information may affect how people in the town view the proposal and could have a bearing on whether a lease is awarded.

Common good committee convener Ken Lyall said: "Since the scheme was approved in April, more information has come to light about concerns by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH] and the Royal Botanic Society.

"The Royal Botanic Society has concerns about the future of the cow wheat if this development goes ahead. It is quite a rare plant and the Birks is probably the only area in Scotland where it is abundant."

He went on: "It was apparent to me that the proposed report to the next common good fund committee on 16 December could not be fully and properly looked at and assessed before that time. I had no option but to delay this report until the next meeting on 24 February.

"Whilst I agreed with this proposal in April's development control committee, it has become apparent that there was not all the information at that committee to make a full and proper decision.

"The Birks are in common good land and this ensures that, even with this planning permission, the proposal has to be agreed in principle by the Aberfeldy common good fund committee."

Councillor Lyall added: "I have been contacted by some concerned members of the community who state that some people feel that this is a done deal and there is no point in commenting.

"I can only state that this is definitely not the case."

According to SNH, small cow wheat – an annual herb with a yellow flower, found in upland woodlands – was once widespread in Britain. It is now restricted to only 18 sites, most of them in Scotland and north of the Highland Boundary Fault.

SNH warned: "The species is undergoing a rapid decline."

The Birks O' Aberfeldy

Now simmer blinks on flow'ry braes,

And o'er the crystal streamlet plays,

Come, let us spend the lightsome days

In the birks of Aberfeldy

Bonnie lassie, will ye go,

will ye go, will ye go,

Bonnie lassie, will ye go

To the birks of Aberfeldy?

The little birdies blithely sing,

While o'er their heads the hazels hing;

Or lightly flit on wanton wing

In the birks of Aberfeldy!

The braes ascend like lofty wa's,

The foaming stream, deep-roaring, fa's,

O'er-hung wi'fragrant spreading shaws,

The birks of Aberfeldy.

The hoary cliffs are crown'd wi'flowers,

White o'er the linns the burnie pours,

And, rising, weets wi' misty showers

The birks of Aberfeldy.

Let fortune's gifts at random flee,

They ne'er shall draw a wish frae me,

Supremely blest wi' love and thee

In the Birks of Aberfeldy