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Call to avoid public inquiry over proposed Red John hydro scheme at Dores on Loch Ness


By Calum MacLeod

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David Lee of AECOM and Ross McLaughlin, ILI technical advisor, on the shore of Loch Ness during a drop-in session in Dores last year. Picture: Gary Anthony/HNM
David Lee of AECOM and Ross McLaughlin, ILI technical advisor, on the shore of Loch Ness during a drop-in session in Dores last year. Picture: Gary Anthony/HNM

A renewables developer has re-iterated its call for Highland Council to avoid a costly public local inquiry over a proposed hydro scheme on Loch Ness.

Mark Wilson, chief executive of Intelligent Land Investments Group, has called on the local authority to drop its objections to the company's Red John pumped storage project after attending the inaugural Building The UK’s Energy Future Conference in London.

He says the seriousness of the climate emergency means that the local authority should get round the table and work out how to mitigate the outstanding issues with the scheme.

“Listening to all the delegates, it is now all the more vital we get our Red John constructed as soon as possible," he said.

"The climate crisis is very real and a project like this can make a major difference to reducing our net-zero targets. There is a real sense that there has been enough talk with government and the realisation that action needs to be taken now."

Mr Wilson has said his Hamilton-based company would "fall over backwards” to avoid the need for an inquiry that would cost Highland Council and his own company hundreds of thousands of pounds.

The proposal was rejected by councillors, despite a recommendation for approval by planning officials, over concerns about the impact on the landscape during the construction process.

Mark Wilson, chief executive of ILI Group.
Mark Wilson, chief executive of ILI Group.

Mr Wilson pointed out that other statutory bodies consulted, including SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland, had not made any objections, and said that he hoped it was still possible to reach a consensus with the council.

He said: “The only remaining point of objection concerns the impact on the landscape during the construction process. Everyone is agreed that this would be a temporary issue and I believe there could still be a meeting of minds.

“The land in question is covered with commercial forestry plantations, which are not particularly attractive when felled. When the project is built, these will be replaced by native species and the effect will be greatly beneficial to the landscape and the environment.

“We are perfectly willing to have that process overseen by someone acceptable to Highland Council so that they do not have to rely on our assurances to observe the conditions that are imposed.”

If approved, the project would see the creation of a new reservoir with an embankment 39m high, 600m wide and almost 2km in length in the hills above Loch Ness, along with an underground turbine and an above ground substation, making it one of the largest developments seen in the Highlands.

Mr Wilson added: “There are a whole raft of local economic benefits as well as the chance to create a serious number of jobs out of renewable energy in the Highlands, while at the same time contributing to the carbon reduction agenda that Highland Council has signed up to.

"The facts are known and a public inquiry will only create delay and expense.

“However, if we are forced down that road then we have to proceed full steam ahead because we believe the project is good for the local area, good for the Highland economy and good for the net-zero target."

Last year Intelligent Land Investments held a public exhibition on the Red John scheme at Dores Village Hall. Picture: Gary Anthony/HNM
Last year Intelligent Land Investments held a public exhibition on the Red John scheme at Dores Village Hall. Picture: Gary Anthony/HNM

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