Climbers seeking rethink on glen schemes

Mountaineers have urged a local authority to reconsider its options on plans for hydro power construction schemes in a famous glen.

Highland Council is considering seven applications for Glen Etive after comments closed on Sunday.

But Mountaineering Scotland has criticised the plans, saying each scheme would involve new road construction, bridge-building, trenchdigging, cement-pouring and power cabling.

The Mountaineering Scotland chief executive Stuart Younie said the group has written to councillors in a call to reconsider the development of the

“We are challenging the council on its stewardship”

glen over “relatively low power output”.

“We are challenging the Highland Council on its stewardship of Glen Etive and call for the planning department to defend this much-loved landscape,” he said.

Two plans had been withdrawn due to impact concerns but were recently resubmitted with modifications, said Mountaineering Scotland access and conservation officer Davie Black.

He said: “Do the schemes that lie in the Wild Land Area really need a new track to just clean the intake weir?”

A Highland Council spokeswoman said: “Every planning application for hydro schemes is assessed on its merits, taking into account relevant development plan and national policy, including those relating to landscape impact.

“The views expressed by consultees and third parties are also important and will form an important part of the assessment.”