Merkland hydro scheme approved

The small run-of-river hydroelectricity (ROR) scheme will be on Merkland Burn, in woodland popular with walkers and for bikes just north of Brodick village.

It will be the latest of several hydroelectric schemes on Arran, including those that draw on the waters of Allt Gobhlach near Pirnmill and Benlister Burn in Lamlash.

The Merkland scheme will have a single turbine house and intake with an underground pipe delivering water between the two and it is estimated it will produce 660,000 kWh of electricity per year for the public energy network.

To generate the max energy possible, ROR schemes are often situated in hilly or mountainous areas where the force of the river increases as it experiences a drop in elevation.

The Merkland Burn, which rises on the slopes between Maol Donn and Goatfell and flows for approximately three kilometers through Merkland Wood before it discharges into Brodick Bay, was identified as a suitable site because of its location. 

As part of getting approval, a plan has been put in place to protect the Killarney Fern, a European Protected Species (EPS) that was found along the burn at a single spot. The plan will be kept up throughout the whole life span of the scheme to make sure no harm comes to the habitat.

Various other environmental surveys were also carried out to check for protected species, habitat, and fish.

The woodland itself was planted in two phases between 140 and 240 years ago,  is made up of sessile oak, European larch, ash, Scots pine, beech, and silver fir. 

Although the burn is in the North Arran National Scenic Area (NSA), there are no relevant Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the area that are relevant to freshwater habitats, planners heard. A river habitat survey by Trex Ecology found that the burn is not a productive channel for fish, because of its impassable falls and other natural obstacles.

An ecological assessment by Naturally Wild, did find that protected bats and badgers live in the area but because the development will only occupy a narrow strip of land, the impact on these species was considered low.

The riverbank is associated with the European otter, there have been recorded sightings within one km of the proposed site, but an assessment concluded the creatures were not expected to be impacted.

Some felling and pruning of the woodland is expected  for access reasons along an existing track and to get to the powerhouse but it has been recommended that native trees are left where possible.

It was also recommended that any clearance work should be carried outside of nesting season, which runs from March to August, to support nesting birds, and that sensitive lighting  is used during and after the site is built  so there is no direct disturbing of foraging and commuting bats, birds, and small mammals.

The land will continue to be managed by Forestry and Land Scotland, and there will be no restriction upon the replanting of the forest crop or regeneration of native trees once the scheme is up and running.