A planned hydro-electric scheme for Perthshire is being recommended for approval by Perth and Kinross Council, despite it attracting more than 25 letters of objection.
RWE Power Renewables claims the scheme at River Braan in Trochry will provide power for around 1,500 homes, with work to begin this year.
The site is located near Rumbling Bridge, between Trochry and Dunkeld, and will include the construction of a shaft, built 30 metres deep, which will house a turbine, generator and other equipment.
At the base of the shaft, 350 metres of tunnelled pipeline will return the water to the river downstream of the Rumbling Bridge.
The proposed scheme will have a generating capacity of up to 1.99MW and an average annual energy output of around 6,800MWh, which would provide electricity for around 1,500 homes.
The River Braan to the Rumbling Falls is part of the River Tay Special Area of Conservation, which has Atlantic salmon, otters, trout, brook and river lamprey.
More than 25 letters of objection have been received by the council with regard to the plan, with Dunkeld and Birnam Community Council stating it opposes the scheme based on its “adverse impact” on the environment and the cultural heritage of the area.
A statement sent by the community council to the local authority reads: “Due to the proposed 18-month construction and its complexity, we believe there would be a high risk of the development having a detrimental effect on the environment and particularly the water quality of the Braan.
“There will be some long-term jobs from the development but the potential impact on recreational tourism could well mean potential loss of employment in other sectors within the area. The development has the potential to disturb the area during construction in terms of noise emission.”
Dunkeld Smoked Salmon also expressed its opposition to the scheme. In a letter lodged with the council, it states: “We understand this would have implications for the future stocking of wild salmon in the Braan. We would wish to object to the proposed scheme and the impact this has on the beauty of the area.”
In a lengthy report, Nick Brian, Perth and Kinross Council’s development quality manager, detailed the history of the site, which saw an unsuccessful application in 2005 that affected a “large and sensitive” stretch of the river.
Mr Brian confirms in his report that there were no objections from Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust to the proposed new scheme, nor from Scottish Natural Heritage or Sepa.
He states 44 letters were lodged, with only one supporting the River Braan hydro scheme. The representations raised matters ranging from the scheme’s visual impact to noise and included the impact on protected species and on salmon and trout. However, Mr Brian is recommending approval of the scheme.
He states: “The proposed development would contribute to the Scottish Government’s target of 100% of electricity generation from renewable energy sources by 2020.
“I have taken account of the potential impacts the development may have on the environment In this case there are no material considerations that would justify refusal of the application.”
The plan will be discussed at a meeting of Perth and Kinross Council’s development management committee on Wednesday.