Foyers Substation and Switching Station Works
Dear Community Council,
Our ref: LT243/Foyers Substation and Switching Station Works/PAN Submission
Proposal of Application Notice: New substation comprising platform area, associated plant and infrastructure, ancillary facilities, laydown area(s), access road and landscape works, and extension to existing Foyers switching station comprising platform area, associated plant and infrastructure, ancillary facilities, laydown area(s), access road and landscape works (National Development) at land to the North East of Foyers Hydro Electric Power Station
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission plc (the Applicant), operating and known as Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN Transmission), is pleased to submit this Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) and associated site location plan relating to the proposed new substation
and extension of Foyers Switching Station to the north east of Foyers Hydro Electric Power Station.
The proposed development is to be subject to the formal pre-application process (November 2022) and is classified as National Development as defined in Annex A of the National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3), by virtue of it forming part of the high voltage electricity transmission network. The Proposed Development falls under the class of development noted as, “new and /or upgraded onshore substations directly linked to electricity transmission cabling of or in excess of 132 kilovolts”. The redline PAN boundary seeks to include all land required to complete the proposed works
associated with the replacement of the existing transmission transformers at Foyers Hydro Electric Power Station.
Further details on the proposed development will be provided to interested parties at two public consultation events to be held face-to-face.
A public consultation event is proposed for 19th October 2022 between 2pm and 7pm at Stratherrick Public Hall, Gorthleck, Inverness IV2 6YS. An advert for this event will be placed in the Press and Journal at least 7 days in advance of the event. A second in-person public consultation event will be held prior to submission of the planning application (programmed for late Spring 2023).
*Please note the venue for the public consultation event has recently been flooded and is not currently available for use. The venue operator has confirmed remedial works should be completed and the venue available for use by the 19th October 2022. If it becomes apparent the venue will not be ready for use on this date an alternative event venue will be sought. This will be confirmed prior to the advertising and mail drop and to any parties previously contacted.
Copies of this notice will be sent to the parties, as identified on the accompanying PAN. The attached PAN form provides further details of what consultation is being proposed.
In terms of additional consultation and publicity, the Applicant proposes the following:
• Mail Drop of information postcards in the local area;
• Posters in the local area; and
• Updates on the project website.
We trust that the approach as set out above and in the attached PAN is sufficient to meet the terms of the statutory requirements for pre-application consultation, without prejudice to the planning authority’s obligations under the terms of Section 35(B)7 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1997 (as amended). I look forward to receiving confirmation of receipt and validation of this PAN and a response within 21
days.
Should you have any queries or require further information please contact me directly.
Yours sincerely,
Ryan Davidson
Community Liaison Manager
Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission
M: +44(0)7901133919
1 Waterloo St, Glasgow, G2 6AY
Q&A’s With Dores Fish Farm
- How many cages are there, and how many fish are in the cages when at maximum?
There are 18 pens permitted however the pens are not always all stocked with fish – for instance there are currently only 11 pens stocked. We follow the RSPCA welfare standards which have been developed to follow good practice in the care and welfare of commercially farmed Atlantic salmon at all stages of their lives. The maximum stocking density set by the standard is 8kg per cubic metre of water. Dependent on production inputs fish numbers can vary but are generally around 90,000 – 100,000 per pen.
- How long is the cycle from arrival to departure? – i.e., until they are big enough to have to be moved on.
Commonly, the cycle lasts from June to December, on occasion we have been stocked to February depending on the overall production needs of Mowi so approx. 6 – 8 months a year.
- How long is the fallow period between the fish leaving and a new cycle starting?
4 – 6 months depending on production.
- Do all of the cages follow the same cycle at the same time?
Yes, all pens follow same cycle.
- What are the elements of the feedstuff?
We tailor our feed ingredients throughout a salmon’s lifecycle to ensure we are meeting the nutritional needs of our fish. Generally, fish feed includes about 20% fish meal and fish oil, 20% vegetable oil, 20% wheat, 15% soya, and the remainder a mix of beans, peas, corn and vitamin supplements that includes astaxanthin (a naturally produced antioxidant). For full information see – Mowi’s 2021 Annual Report page 68. Link – Mowi_Annual_Report_2021.pdf
- Which medicines are used and what is an average quantity per cycle per cage?
As per our SEPA licence the site is permitted to use veterinary approved medicines containing Bronopol, Chloramine-T and Formaldehyde-based solutions. The limits and controls on use of medicines are set by SEPA to ensure environmental standards are maintained thus protecting water quality and ecology, and all use is audited by SEPA. For an example, formaldehyde, which is a naturally occurring compound in many biological systems, breakdowns rapidly in freshwater to harmless by-products. We are presently undertaking a scientific monitoring study examining the environmental fate and behaviour of formaldehyde solutions which is confirming the rapid breakdown of the product and compliance with environmental standards. Medicinal treatments are only carried out if there is a fish health reason and under veterinary supervision and often growth cycles can complete without the need for treatments. During 2022 the site has carried out six site treatments with Bronopol (10 litres is used per pen) and with Formaldehyde solution (50 litres is used per pen) to treat infections such as saprolegnia, a naturally occurring fungal infection found in wild fish in freshwater loch environments. Quantities of medicines used at our Loch Ness site are reported to SEPA on a quarterly basis, as per the standard reporting requirements in place for all fish farms.
- What other chemicals are used and what is an average quantity per cycle per cage?
SEPA permits a range of licensed substances such as anaesthetics, disinfectants, and detergents to be used at fish farms. As these substances are low in use and have very low environmental risk there are no specific controls or limits set regarding their use. Substances are used only if needed and more commonly applied at a site level as opposed to pen level, e.g. disinfectant footbaths used for site biosecurity or anaesthetics used to safely immobilise fish so they can be handled more easily during health checks. Quantities used are generally very low, as an example disinfectant use <15 litres per year.
- What is the cage cleaning regime, and is this when they are empty and what chemicals are used for this cleaning?
The site has a defined cleaning schedule, and this is carried out during fallow periods following guidance from Marine Scotland. Products used for cleaning and disinfection – Fat Solve and AquaDes – are on SEPA’s approved list for use at fish farms.
Best regards
Stephen
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Stephen MacIntyre
Head of Environment
Mowi Scotland Limited
Community Resilience Briefing 23-09-22
Dear Community Resilience Group/Community Council/Colleagues,
Welcome to The Highland Council’s fortnightly briefing for groups with an interest in local community resilience.
Covid related information
- Scottish Government Covid-19 Guidance
- NHS Inform Covid data
- NHS Inform Covid information and guidance
- NHS Highland local vaccination information – this includes information on the winter Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Flu vaccination programme which is now underway.
Funding
SCVO is a key source of funding information for the third sector https://scvo.scot/funding. Funds that may be of interest include:
- Scottish Sea Farms – Heart of the Community Trust
Provides financial grants to projects which deliver lasting change within their communities. Included areas of support are family-oriented activities, opportunities for young people, mental wellbeing, isolation, and lifeline services. Applications can be made at any time. - North Highlands & Islands Climate Action Hub Funding
Offers grants to community groups for community engagement events or seed funding for projects focused on climate action themes such as reducing waste, food growing, or recycling. Next deadline is 31 March 2023. - Bauer Radio’s Cash for Kids Charities
Grants are given to charities and organisations to help them undertake projects to ensure care and support can continue to be provided to disabled and disadvantaged children aged 0-18. Deadlines vary by scheme.
- Community Regeneration Funding
Over £5 million is available in funding for projects responding to the needs of their local areas. Full details are available in the attachment and the deadline for expressions of interest is 7 October.
Welfare, poverty reduction and resilience
- CyberScotland – Attached is the September 2022 Bulletin. Topics this month include the latest NCSC Threat Report and keeping students secure online.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
- NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing.
- Cost of living crisis and your mental health
Many people are feeling the strain as the cost of living continues to increase. This resource provides information on how you can maintain your mental wellbeing at this time, alongside information on how to manage your money as bills rise. - Mental Health Delivery Group – Attached is the Autumn 2022 newsletter which includes topics such as poverty, money, alcohol and drugs, and training for a helping role.
Emergency Planning
- Met Office Weather Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2022-08-11
- Met Office Weather Ready https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/weatherready
- Floodline Scotland https://floodlinescotland.org.uk/
- Ready Scotland – preparing for emergencies https://ready.scot/
Other
- Five Highland Community Councils did not form following the recent interim election due to failing to attract half the maximum membership required. These were:
- Boat of Garten
- Conon Bridge
- Culloden
- East Nairnshire
- Shiedaig
An additional three were put in a state of abeyance following resignations. These were:
- Acharacle
- Cradlehall and Westhill
- Melvich
Additional interim elections are going to be held for these eight community councils. Attached is a document with further information regarding this election and how to get involved.
- Local Housing Strategy Survey – The Highland Council are seeking local community feedback to help steer the new Local Housing Strategy 2023-28. All Highland residents are urged to participate to share their views on housing issues and how they feel resources, investment, and services should be targeted to tackle these challenges.
The survey should take no more than 5 minutes and is open until 30 September 2022.
Douglas Crawford
Business Analyst
Community Support and Engagement
Highland Council
Mental Health Group Newsletter
Community Council meeting Cancelled
The meeting due to be held tomorrow night at Dores Parish Hall has been cancelled. We hope to rearrange for the following Monday the 26th of September but will confirm through the week
Update 23/09/22
Due to members being on holiday , working and illness we won’t be having the CC meeting on Monday the 26th and it is proposed to have it at the beginning of October. I will confirm here and via email nearer the time.