Proposed hydro scheme using Loch Ness and Loch Kemp prompts strong objection from Woodland Trust
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A leading conservation charity is "strongly" objecting to a proposed green energy project on the south side of Loch Ness.
Plans for a pumped storage hydro scheme at Loch Kemp near Whitebridge were lodged by developer, Statera Energy, in December.
But the Woodland Trust, which describes itself as the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity, has submitted an objection, citing direct loss and deterioration of a number of ancient and long-established woodland areas and veteran trees in Ness Woods and Easter Ness Forest.
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Its concerns have been raised as the Ness District Salmon Fishery Board (DSFB) has called for a halt on any further development of pumped storage hydro schemes using Loch Ness, saying dramatic fluctuations in the level of the loch due to hydro power "industrialisation" could spell disaster for its fragile ecosystem and the Ness’s already beleaguered wild salmon population.
If given the go-ahead, Statera's 600MW pumped storage scheme would use the existing Loch Kemp as the upper storage reservoir and Loch Ness as the lower reservoir.
As well as reducing carbon emissions and delivering greater energy security, construction is expected to give a £30 million boost to the Highland economy and employ more than 350 people each year, during construction.
But the Woodland Trust says the proposed development is likely to impact on areas of ancient and long-established woodland, resulting in permanent and irreversible loss and long-term degradation and could amount to several hectares.
"Ancient woods and veteran trees are irreplaceable habitats, once lost they are gone forever," it states.
"As such, they should be protected from any form of development that will result in their loss or deterioration."
Concerns raised include two areas of ancient woodland in Ness Woods, which are designated as a Special Area of Conservation, plus an additional area in the long-established woodland Whitebridge Plantation.
The trust says woodland in Ness Woods would be subject to significant loss from the proposed powerhouse building, construction and operational access track routes and potentially from infrastructure associated with proposed underground tunnels.
A temporary construction access track could also impact on trees.
It also states the long-established woodland at Whitebridge Plantation appears to be impacted by a proposed new estate water supply.
Concerns include intensification of human activity and associated disturbance, fragmentation of the ancient woodland along with noise, light and dust pollution.
Adverse hydrological impacts and threats to long-term retention of trees from increased safety concerns are also cited.
In its letter to the Scottish Government's energy consents unit, the trust states: "This application contravenes national planning policy designed to protect ancient woodland, veteran trees, and other important native habitat and should be considered for refusal.
"We will maintain our objection until the applicant commits to moving the proposed development outside of and a sufficient distance away from the ancient woodland."
If given the go-ahead, the Loch Kemp project has the potential to generate for 15 hours at full capacity, the equivalent of powering over one million homes.
Andrew Troup of Statera Energy said: "We have undertaken extensive and comprehensive environmental assessment work, all of which is set out in our environmental statement submitted in the application.
"We have put forward enhanced compensation measures which would substantially improve the overall condition of Ness Woods Special Area of Conservation, a 230 hectare area of woodland that is currently in 'unfavourable' condition.
"These enhanced management measures would be carried out during the operational phase of the project for up to 75 years, to bring the woodland back into 'favourable' condition."
