The soaring price of precious metals has spurred plans to re-open a Perthshire gold and silver mine.
Encouraged by high prices and the rarity of Scottish gold, Scotgold Resources Limited are seeking permission to re-open the Cononish mine near Tyndrum, first granted permission in the 1990s by the former Stirling District Council.
The proposal has sparked fierce debate with conservation bodies claiming it would be an unsuitable development within the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
The application to extract thousands of tons of ore each year for a decade will go before the national park board next month the first planning decision to be made by the full board, not delegated to its planning committee.
As well as undertaking a site visit, the 23 board members will have to weigh up concerns voiced by conservation groups including the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB and the Scottish Campaign for National Parks.
The plan has split the local community with concerns over the environment balanced against the prospect of much-needed jobs and a boost to the local economy.
The decision for the national park is not straightforward either as they are not only the guardian of wildlife and landscape within the park but are also charged with the promotion of sustainable and economic development of communities in the area.
Fears have been expressed that the proposal could have a detrimental impact on the River Cononish and in turn on the Tay and its salmon stocks.
“The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has taken part in discussions with the applicant about some of our objections to the initial Tyndrum planning application,” said Brian Fotheringham, senior planning officer with the agency.
“We have now received further information on these matters and as a result the review process is ongoing.
“Once our internal consultation has been finalised we will send our response to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park as the planning authority,” he said.
The RSPB are concerned about disturbing birds during the nesting season and the Scottish Campaign for National Parks believe mining on this scale would damage the reputation of the park.
The firm behind the project believes it can meet the concerns that have been aired.
Strathfillan Community Council have come out in favour of the controversial proposal claiming it could be a lifeline for local tourism.
“The community needs year-round jobs because there is no career development in seasonal tourism businesses,” said John Riley, who chairs the community council.
“Scottish gold is at a premium and a state-of-the-art exhibition on mining and even visits to the mine would become a major tourist attraction,” he said.
With goldsmiths working on jewellery for sale, it would continue long after the 10 years of the mine.”