Services

Landscape and visual impact assessment

Visualisations and Graphic Support

Key Tasks

Landscape and visual impact assessment

Landscape design

Stakeholder consultation

Visualisations

What we did

ASH was commissioned by Glendevon Energy Ltd to prepare a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for the 2 MW Loch a' Bhraoin storage scheme on the Abhainn Cuileig and Loch a' Bhraoin, located 18km south east of Ullapool.

The scheme comprised the following key elements:

•  An adjustable intake weir spanning 30m in length on the Abhainn Cuileig, raising the level of Loch a' Bhraoin by up to 1.2 m, (within the natural 1:200 year return flood inundation range);

• Two secondary intakes sited on the Allt Breabaig and Allt Leacach diverting water for the scheme;

• A powerhouse, sited on the northern bank of the river approximately 25 m x 11 m and 8.76 m in height, with a small transformer compound sited adjacent;

• A buried pipeline of up to 1.8 m in diameter conveying water from the intake to the powerhouse;

• Buried pipelines transferring water from the two secondary intakes;

• A buried tailrace and outlet structure returning water to the Abhainn Cuileig via an open channel; and

• New access tracks constructed to the main intake weir and powerhouse with a new junction from the A832.

The purpose of the LVIA was to identify and describe potential significant effects which may occur as a result of the proposed development.

The site is located in a sensitive landscape, within a Special Landscape Area and partially within a Wild Land Area as defined by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). ASH's liaison with SNH was key to agreeing the scope of the LVIA and the wild land assessment that was required.

ASH worked closely with the project engineers, Cairneyhill Ltd, on the landscape mitigation measures, including the location, design and finish of the powerhouse.

The scheme was consented by the Highland Council in November 2018.