'Community Sensitivity' Call for Glen Lyon Hydro Proposals

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'Community Sensitivity' Call for Glen Lyon Hydro Proposals

Green MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife, Mark Ruskell has voiced his concerns about the need for sensitivity to the interests of the small community of Invervar in Glenlyon when plans are put forward by the local estate for development of a hydro scheme on the Invervar burn.

The call follows the MSP's recent visit to Glenlyon, during which he met with a number of community groups to discuss planning issues and other concerns. During the visit Mr Ruskell met with local residents at Invervar and looked at their concerns regarding proposals for the siting of a new hydro-electric powerhouse in close proximity to housing and a children's play area.

Local people living in the small Glenlyon hamlet have raised their fears with the estate behind the hydro development, requesting that they be consulted on the routing of pipeline and the site of the proposed powerhouse. They believe that the current plans could result in a poorer quality of life as a result of noise, and may present heath hazards, especially to young children, due to the proximity of the powerhouse building to the Invervar play park.

Consultation

The community is seeking close consultation with the estate about these issues before the final plans for the new hydro scheme are submitted for planning approval.

Speaking after the visit about the Invervar residents' concerns Mark Ruskell, Green speaker on the environment said: " I am generally very supportive of the principle of new small scale hydro power developments and I feel sure that there is considerable scope for such a scheme in Glenlyon. However, these projects need to be developed with great sensitivity, not only to the environment, but also taking into account the interests of local residents who may be potentially affected.

"From what I heard and saw during my visit to Invervar I fear there is a danger that the current proposal for the Invervar burn will give hydro a bad name if it is allowed to go ahead. With a proposed turbine powerhouse situated slap bang in the middle of the only cluster of houses for miles around, and with potential disruption to local access paths, I believe that the estate needs to take on board community concerns and rethink the current plan.

" I really hope that a sensible Invervar hydro proposal can ultimately brought forward that ticks all the right boxes in terms of sensitive siting both for people and the environment. I will be contacting the estate on behalf of the local community to encourage them to adopt a more enlightened approach."

Mr Ruskell has since written to the estate urging closer consultation with the local community andthe recognition of sensitivities surrounding community and public access issues relating to the proposed development.