Community council seeks clarification on abnormal loads
Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry (SBRBA) Community Council will lodge a freedom of information inquiry with Highland Council to determine the operational hours of abnormal movement to and from the Coire Glas site along the shore of Loch Lochy, writes Fiona Scott.
An update from chairman John Fotheringham at last week’s monthly meeting revealed that scrutiny of the current exploratory works programme identified that SSE Renewables – the company behind the project – intended to operate a 50 per cent increase in operational hours, and, despite promises, were still using the B8004 and B8005 to access the site.
He told the meeting that the latest abnormal movement had occurred earlier that same day, Tuesday March 7, with two hours’ notice.
“The lack of public scrutiny to the consent changes is a concern,” he said.
Ward 21 councillor Kate Willis had already written to David Mudie, the south planning manager, about SSE Renewables and its contractors failing consent.
Despite Ian Innes, project director, welcoming the commencement of community benefit discussions, an attempt by SBRBA CC to take up the offer was met with a refusal “until the impact on communities was fully known”.
Mr Fotheringham said he would write to Kate Forbes MSP to ensure she is fully aware of the current position with the developer and community benefit.
Members of the Kilfinnan Road resident and business group are also concerned about the abnormal movement: “We believe the council and the developer need to come to some kind of specific agreement with standardised and careful protocols and oversight for how this road is to be shared between residents, businesses, leisure users and construction traffic,” said a spokesperson for the group.
“We see no evidence even of a sufficient traffic management system in place.”
The next Coire Glas liaison group meeting takes place on Monday April 3 in Glengarry Village Hall and online with Mr Fotheringham and Ian Langley in attendance.