Balmoral Estates hydroelectric plan examined after concerns raised

Plans for the hydro power scheme on the Queens Balmoral estate have raised concerns about noise. Picture: Getty

The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), which is responsible for planning in the area, said the proposal raises “issues of significance to the collective aims of the National Park”.

It has now called in the application, which was originally submitted to Aberdeenshire Council, and will be the deciding body for the application.

Balmoral Estates proposes installing a 2MW hydroelectric scheme on the River Muick, about 7km to the south-west of Ballater.

The scheme comprises the construction of a buried pipeline about 3km long, along with a semi-buried powerhouse, and a pipe and channel returning water to the river. Aberdeenshire Council objected to the proposal, citing noise concerns.

Team manager Louise Cunningham wrote: “I am concerned that there may be noise emission from the proposals which could be detrimental to the amenity of neighbouring noise-sensitive receptors.

“Typically, hydropower turbines can emit significant amounts of noise.

“The noise information currently provided in the environmental statement offers no measurements of the current background noise, nor any site-specific predictions.”

In its environmental statement in support of the application, Balmoral Estates said significant noise is not expected during either the construction or operational periods of the development.

Red squirrels, otters, badgers, water voles and pine martens are among the wildlife living in the area.

In the environmental statement, Balmoral Estates also said that, assuming mitigation and good practice measures are adopted, “no significant residual impacts on terrestrial habitats have been predicted as a result of the proposed scheme”.

Balmoral Estates can request the opportunity to address the planning committee in support of its application, and has until 19 March to ask to do so.

All planning applications in the national park area are made to the relevant local authority, but the CNPA “calls in” and determines the bigger and most sensitive applications.

CNPA regularly calls in hydroelectric plans, and said its policies generally encourage renewable energy of a scale and character compatible with the National Park.

A spokeswoman said: “The CNPA planning team take an objective and professional approach to all cases based on the merits of the submission and the prevailing policy context.”