The proposed hydro-electric scheme for the Urlar Burn at Aberfeldy has been rejected by councillors.
Planning permission for the scheme, which is likely to affect waterflow over the falls at the Birks of Aberfeldy, a popular walking and tourist attraction, was passed in April 2009. But the town’s Common Good Fund, which owns the land, said it would not allow the development to go ahead unless certain conditions were met. The Fund wants to see the developers, Green Highland Renewables, reduce the length of the proposed lease and look into the affect on tourism.
The development would affect the River Tay Special Area of Conservation and Birks of Aberfeldy Site of Special Scientific Interest. Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) had previously raised concerns about the Birks of Aberfeldy’s small cow-wheat, a nationally scarce plant which is protected by law. The population at the Birks is the second largest in Scotland and provides seeds which are being used to establish new populations at other locations.
A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Council said: “The committee rejected it, but left the door open for the company to come back with a revised scheme once these criteria have been met.”
Neil Fraser, of Green Highland Renewables, said: “We will be happy to work with Aberfeldy Common Good Fund Committee and Aberfeldy Community Council to address the various issues that have been raised and we are confident there will be a positive resolution.”