Aberfeldy Common Good Fund delay decision on Birks of Aberfeldy lease

Dec 4 2009 by Katy Gordon, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

A MEETING to decide whether developers of a hydro scheme at Birks of Aberfeldy – pictured – can lease land has been pushed back to next year.

The Aberfeldy Common Good Fund were due to discuss whether the applicants could rent land at the Birks for the planned turbine house, which had been gifted to the people of the town.

Convener of the common good fund and Highland Ward Councillor, Ken Lyall stated: “Whilst I agreed with this proposal in April’s development control committee, it has become apparent that there was not all the information at that committee to make a full and proper decision.

“SNH are stated in the report with no concerns but it has come to light they do, and also Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Society has concerns about the rare cow wheat plant.”

He continued: “It was apparent to me that after speaking with the head of property today that the proposed report to the next CGF committee on December 16 could not be fully and properly looked at and assessed before then so I had no option but to delay this report until the next meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2010.

“I am glad in a way as this will ensure that there can be all possible consultation with the community, SNH, P&K Countryside Ranger Service, the roads department etc.”

Councillor Lyall added that the planning application has been a contentious issue.

He said: “This consultation is really the duty of the applicant, it is they who are applying for the permission, not the council. The consultees such as the community council, councillors and statutory bodies all have a responsibility to try consult with the community also. I felt I did all I could to advertise this, at community meetings and in the local press.”

The hydro scheme, which would run down Urlar Burn around half a mile from the famous ‘Birks falls’, down the existing Urlar Road and into the Birks for a turbine situated underground at the car park, was approved unanimously at the council’s development control committee in April.