Save Loch Ness recently contributed to a podcast, hosted by the Inverness Courier, where we and Glen Earrach Energy (GEE Director Roderick MacLeod) share our views on Pumped Storage Hydro on Loch Ness.

Unfortunately both ‘sides were recorded separately, so Save Loch Ness weren’t able to engage in direct debate with GEE but no doubt future opportunities will arise. It did lead to some enthusiastic discussion in our group, covering many areas, and unfortunately more than could be included in the final edit of the podcast.

There were many insights on ecology, hydrology, geology…..to mention just a few issues with the GEE proposal. There were also some interesting snippets that are not covered in the EIA (though happy to be corrected). Perhaps you will be interested to learn of the new housing campus (with commercial space) that is proposed….though not only are we struggling to find this detail in the EIA, we are also not clear where it will be located….Drumnadrochit…Milton,..Balnain…answers on a postcard please?

For those who have traffic concerns, the construction of lower control works, including the movement of structures, equipment and people will now all apparently be done via the canal/loch system. Again this isn’t covered in the EIA, and no doubt GEE hope any detail, scrutiny or impact assessment, can be deferred to a traffic management plan, to be secured by condition – kicking the issue and the cost exposure down the track (or road, or loch?)! This is in addition to extraction of 240,000 m³ of excavated material via canal, which is in the EIA. To quote the EIA ‘this approach and the final destination for the material will be confirmed post-consent.’ No doubt this will be music to the ears of all boat operators on the loch….

Talking of ears, if you would like to hear more please listen to the podcast…..