Pros and cons of Loch Ness-side community's hefty income from renewable industries
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A GREEN energy windfall has inadvertently brought angst to a Loch Ness-side village.
For while the wealth that has come to the Stratherrick and Foyers community from two wind farms and the Glendoe hydro project has brought much benefit, a proposal for new leisure facilities has not found favour with all.
Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) was set up by local people several years ago to manage the community gain money from the renewables schemes.
Now they have more than £1 million in the bank, and in 2021 the community gain income was more than £300,000.
SFCT has used the windfall on various projects including the multi-purpose Wildside Centre at Whitebridge, which is a hive of activity hosting many events including crafter and farmers’ markets, entertainment, office or study space and even a wedding earlier this year.
Last month, SFCT hosted a sizeable Highland Gathering on Corriegarth Estate, with Inverness Royal British Legion Pipe Band, falconry, a sheep shearing demo, a Highland dancing display, hill race, welly wanging, fun races, barbecue, food and drink, craft stalls, a vintage vehicle display, and a dogs event.
However when SFCT bought a pleasant field in Lower Foyers beside Loch Ness and promoted a masterplan of recreation facilities they ran into some stiff local opposition.
Because of the acreage involved, Highland Council planners deemed it a “major project” and SFCT should present a masterplan containing its wish list of community facilities.
It included a new community hall with gym attached, and an all-weather sports pitch covered by a large white fabric dome and around 40 new car parking spaces.
The major plan attracted objections from 18 households mostly in the immediate area, although SFCT argues that wider consultation in the community found a majority in favour of many aspects of the plan.
The objection reasons include road safety, loss of amenity in a peaceful scenic area as well as adverse impact on the landscape with the site visible from the South Loch Ness Trail, the Great Glen Way and across Loch Ness.
There is concern also that the sports pitch’s large white canopy will be out of place.
Stratherrick and Foyers Community Council also objected.
While being supportive of the work that SFCT is doing to improve physical and mental health, it feels the proposal would be better elsewhere. It was especially worried about safety on the narrow road to and from Lower Foyers over a makeshift Bailey bridge.
Nevertheless, the masterplan was recently approved by Highland Council and now individual components of the masterplan will be considered for planning permission.
One of SFCT’s directors, Steven Watson, said: “It is proving difficult to get people the facilities and at the same time not disrupt folks’ lives.
“We are very fortunate we have the money – it is an embarrassment of riches.
“There was commercial interest in the field and it could be said that we saved it for the community.
“I don’t think you will find anyone against the idea of having this community money, but some people in Foyers are saying ‘Why should this be in our back yard’.
“Some folk would like to see the money go to replacing the makeshift Bailey bridge and repairing the old bridge for pedestrian use, but we are not able to use wind farm money for public roads.”
When it comes to detailed planning applications some may go forward and some may not, he said.
Mr Watson added that “flavour of the month” now was working towards zero carbon, and at present local people including youngsters have to motor to Inverness for leisure facilities.
“It is all about having facilities on your doorstep now,” he said.
River Foyers Residents’ Group was formed recently to present an opposing view, and it has met with SFCT.
Residents group spokesman Craig Lightbody said: “We set out our stall to let them know how unhappy we are and how residents felt ignored by the trust.
“They are working towards better communications and that’s how we stand.”
He said steering groups will be set up as the trust moves toward seeking full planning permission for individual parts of the plan, and all residents will be invited to attend these.
