Land dispute halts hydro scheme

PLANS for a hydro-electric scheme at a beauty spot immortalised in song by Robert Burns were blocked yesterday after councillors refused to lease common good land for the scheme.

Last April, Perth and Kinross Council approved plans by Green Highland Renewables for a "run of river" scheme close to the Falls of Moness at the Birks of Aberfeldy. But the scheme was put on hold after a rare herb, known as small cow wheat, was found in woodland close to the development site.

The Aberfeldy common good committee, which owns the land, yesterday refused to enter into a 99-year lease with the developer. But councillors left the door open for Green Highland Renewables to return with a revised scheme.

The committee called for negotiations to begin with the developer about a shorter lease and for detailed studies to be carried out about the potential impact of the scheme on the beauty spot and on tourism in the area, sparking outrage in the village.

John Manning, a spokesman for the Protect The Birks Campaign, said the committee should have declared the 2 million hydro scheme "dead in the water".

He added: "This decision leaves uncertainty hanging over the Birks. And the amount of water to be extracted would leave the Falls of Moness reduced to a trickle."

Papers presented to the committee indicated that the development could provide an annual income of up to 42,000 to the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund.

But the committee rejected the request for the developer to acquire rights to the land needed for the hydro scheme.

Neil Fraser, of Green Highland Renewables said: "We will be happy to work with the Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee and Aberfeldy Community Council to address the various issues raised and we're confident there will be a positive resolution."