Loch Leven project Q&A
Have you taken on board local people’s views?
Yes. The project is for the benefit of the whole area – Glencoe, Ballachulish and North Ballachulish. We held two Open Days on 2 and 3 February and have met with the community councils and Highland councillors. We also sent information postcards to every household in the area inviting feedback.
We have looked carefully at all the comments received and it is clear that a large number of people in the Ballachulish and Glencoe communities support what we’re doing while some people in North Ballachulish continue to have reservations. We must do what is in the interests of the whole area but of course we will do so acutely aware of the need to address the outstanding concerns.
We intend to work very closely with the community in North Ballachulish to ensure they are satisfied with the finished scheme.
What is involved?
The new works involves six septic tanks to treat waste water from Ballachulish, Glencoe and North Ballachulish. We will use our existing treatment works site at North Ballachulish. High quality effluent will be dispersed in the deep waters of Loch Linnhe from a long outfall pipe.
All the structures will be below ground and landscaped.
The finished works will help protect the shellfish waters of Loch Leven and provide extra capacity to support new housing and business developments.
What’s different from the original proposal?
We listened carefully to local people and redesigned the layout of the plant so that all structures are completely below ground and grassed over. The original proposal was almost completely buried and would have very slightly altered the profile of the landscape.
We appreciate the scenic nature of the location, adjacent to the historic Ballachulish Bridge and mouth of Loch Leven. As the plant is underground tanks there should be no visual impact or odours.
Can’t you go somewhere else?
The existing site makes the most sense as the infrastructure is in place and it is land we already own and have room to expand. We looked at a number of alternative options. Wherever we develop we must use the outfall from North Ballachulish as this is the legally approval dispersal point for effluent.
Other areas of land we considered would cost possibly hundreds of thousands of pounds when we have land available to us for nothing and for which we have permission to develop.
What assurances can you give on landscaping?
We have assured the community councils that the upgraded site will be completely below ground with grass and shrubbery planted where appropriate. The project is in the whole area’s interest as it will protect the environment and support the economy so we want local people to be happy with how it looks.
