Hydro Generation in Glen Lyon - Response

The power house for the proposed Invervar hydro scheme will be in the old smithy in the heart of the village, less than 50 metres away from the four Housing Association residences and less than five metres from the village playground.

It is the policy of responsible hydro companies to site power stations at least 100 metres away from residences because of the problem of noise pollution. Even with noise insulation it is anticipated that the power station will emit a constant background hum, which would have a devastating impact on the residents of such a quiet rural location.

EMF Anxieties
There are also serious concerns of the impact of the electromagnetic field (EMF) from a power station so close to homes and a children’s playground. A 2005 report in the British Medical Journal has established clear links between EMFs and an increased risk of childhood leukemia.

Last month’s article declares that the estates involved in the Glenlyon Hydro Partnership have consulted widely, “along with discussing concerns locally.” Unfortunately this has not been the case as far as the Invervar proposal is concerned.

The developer of the Invervar scheme has only spoken to selected residents of Invervar about his plans, and has failed to properly address concerns raised by residents in the scheme’s Environmental Impact Assessment.

Majority Local View
The overwhelming majority of the community at Invervar, 10 out of the 13 permanent residents, will be objecting to this proposed scheme when it is submitted to planning with the Executive in the coming weeks.

The community supports a clear alternative, to construct a scheme along the lines of an original one proposed by npower (formerly Innogy), which had the power station sited well behind the village causing minimum impact on the local community.

The ill conceived scheme at Invervar rides rough shod over local concerns and if allowed to go ahead unmodified risks giving hydro power in Scotland a bad name.