A BID to bring back a hydroelectric scheme which once powered Blair Castle has been laid before council planners.
The Croft Comrie Burn Diversion was originally created in 1908 to provide power for the Highland Perthshire castle and several properties on Atholl Estate.
The estate trustees say that the re-establishment of the scheme will significantly reduce its carbon footprint.
Agents for the estate, Campbell of Doune Ltd, said: “We should make it clear that this scheme does not involve the laying of significant length of new pipeline, due to the fact that the pipeline already exists, ready for use.
“The required civil engineering works really are a light touch on the landscape, which enjoys the concerned and sensitive environmental stewardship of our client.
“The trustees are forward-thinking and keen to reduce the carbon footprint of the trust’s activities.
“The trustees foresee the small amount of civil engineering works required to bring the hydroelectric generation scheme back into production as of substantial benefit to one of Highland Perthshire’s largest visitor attractions, and of benefit to the nation as a whole through the generation of renewable electricity.”
Atholl Estates originally built an aqueduct to carry water from the River Tilt tributary, Allt Slanaidh burn, to a holdingdam above Blairuachdar to supply a water-powered sawmill.
Under the 8th Duke of Atholl, a hydroelectric turbine was installed in 1908 on the bank of the Banvie Burn, supplied by the holding dam. The pipeline still acts as a water feed for the castle’s fire hydrants.
The original turbine house still exists and is said to be in generally reasonable physical condition, although the original Gordon and Gilkes turbine will be replaced with another of the same make to get the system up and running.
The Kendal-based company has been making small hydro power systems since 1856 and has supplied more than 6,500 turbines to more than 80 countries.
The estate already operates a pair of run-of-river hydroelectric schemes, opened in June last year.
The systems one on the Dowally Burn with storage on Loch Ordie, and the other on the Broom Burn have a collectivegenerating capacity of almost 1MW, enough to power more than 250 homes.
Other recent planning applications lodged with Perth and Kinross Council include:
Alterations and extension to house and garage/barn, 5 Holding, Leadketty, Dunning Hutton.
Erection of house (in principle), land 70m north-east of Cleish Mains Steading, Cleish Karen Fraser.
Erection of house, plot next to 26 Holdings Coltward, Campmuir Peter Brown.
Alterations and extension and erection of retaining wall, Littlerigg, Dunning Glen, Dollar Donald Turnbull.
Erection of two signs, the Gateway Centre, North Methven Street, Perth PKAVS.
Alterations and extension, Tulliegruggie, Tippermallo Road, Methven Ramsay.
Alterations and extension to the Meadows, Vicar’s Bridge Road, Blairingone Fred Saunders.
Alterations and extension, 4 Athollbank Drive, Perth Louise Cowling.
Erection of a garden shed, 23 Hill Street, Crieff Brendan Gisby.
Alterations and extension, Gowanlea, Pier Road, Kinross Stuart Brand.
Erection of house (Approval of matters in condition 12/00284/IPL), land 350m north-east of Shieldrum Farm, Bridge Of Cally Ferguson and Thomson.
Modification of consent (11/01989/FLL) Amendment to condition 1, East Cult Farm, Dunkeld the Trustees of the Eighth Earl Cadogan’s Settlement.
Alterations and extension, Balhomie Farm Cottage, Cargill Shand Partnership Ltd.
Erection of house, Teviot Dale, College Road, Methven Marshall.
Modification of consent (10/01598/FLL) change of house type, Viewfield Cottage, Brucefield Road, Blairgowrie GS Brown Construction Ltd.
arichardson@thecourier.co.uk