Highland councillors raise an objection to major hydro project

Highland councillors have decided to raise an objection to plans for a major hydro-electric project at Loch Quoich near Invergarry. Fearna PSH Ltd proposes repurposing a 1950s-built hydro scheme as a pumped storage hydro (PSH) facility. In a report, council officials said there were concerns about the development's impact on the mountain landscape and its wildlife, as well as rural roads due to construction traffic. The developer said the decision was "disappointing". The Scottish government has the final say on the project. Local community councils, Mountaineering Scotland and RSPB Scotland have also raised concerns. The Scottish government asked Highland Council for its position on the project. The local authority's south planning applications committee discussed the proposals on Wednesday. In a report, officials said there were not sufficient plans to "reasonably mitigate" the scheme's effects on wildlife and geological features of special interest. They also said there would be "significant adverse effects" on protected areas, including the Moidart, Morar and Glen Shiel Special Landscape Area. Councillors were advised to raise an objection. The developer said the scheme had bee