Moves to resolve hydro concerns

Canoeists are the main opponents to the hydro scheme

Councillors have taken a surprise decision not to object to controversial proposals for a major new hydro electric scheme in Perthshire.

The planned scheme on the River Braan had looked certain to become the subject of a public inquiry.

But Perth and Kinross Council is now hoping to resolve a row brewing between the developer and objectors.

The Scottish Executive will decide whether the plan, which could power more than 2,000 homes, is approved.

The scheme's developer, Npower Renewables, has accused the quango Sportscotland of using flawed claims to object to it.

The sports promotion agency said it was "extremely disappointed" with the council's decision.

Npower criticised Sportscotland for supporting the scheme's main opponents - the Scottish Canoe Association - which claimed water levels on the river near Dunkeld would drastically drop if the scheme went ahead.

Reach compromise

In a letter to the council, Npower hydro engineer Alasdair Macniven stated: "We feel that by continuing to base their position on the arguments presented by the SCA, Sportscotland's response is being influenced by opinions that are not in any way impartial and, in places, factually incorrect."

Perth and Kinross Council officials, who recommended that the authority's development control committee should oppose the scheme on environmental grounds, said such a move was likely to trigger a public inquiry.

However, councillors decided to offer no objection in a bid to resolve the concerns.

Npower said it had made an effort to reach a compromise with the canoeists, by offering to shut down the scheme at weekends.

Sportscotland said in a statement: "We consider the River Braan to be of strategic importance for canoeing and that Npower's proposals will impact negatively on canoeing and other recreational interests in the area.

"It is important now that the Scottish Executive takes full account of our concerns in coming to its decision on the scheme."