Supporting information

This section outlines the information SEPA will require from applicants. Further technical guidance on how this information should be collected is also available.

The information we require depends on the environmental risk posed by the proposal and, hence, the potential implications of the determination.

The requirements set out in this section are indicative, so additional information may be required in some cases. It only covers aspects relating to the water environment and does not lay out the information requirements needed by planning authorities. You should contact your local planning authority to find out what information they will want you to provide.

Where the information provided to SEPA is incomplete or of poor quality, significant delays in determining applications may result. In some cases, we may refuse to consider an application where inadequate information is provided. Delays may be incurred if an applicant is asked to provide information that is integral to the determination, as the clock can be stopped on the statutory determination time until the required information is provided. It is therefore in everybody’s interest to ensure that the correct information is submitted with the application.

We recommend that developers contact SEPA at an early stage to discuss information requirements. Where necessary, we may seek to convene a meeting of relevant responsible authorities, other public bodies and the developer to discuss specific information requirements. SEPA will also be happy to attend meetings of this type organised by developers.

Minimal information required for an application

Where  information is provided to support an application, the qualifications and experience of those involved in site surveys or providing other technical information should be described. The following list summarises the minimal information required to accept an application as valid:

• Outline description of scheme design, stating which watercourses (rivers and lochs) will or could be affected by the development, including a map of the scheme showing the location of each controlled activity being proposed.
  
• An 8-figure National Grid Reference for the location of each proposed controlled activity and photographs showing the character of the watercourse at those locations (with a reference scale in the photograph).
  
• Maximum installed capacity (kilowatts) of the scheme and an estimate of the mean annual power expected to be generated (gigawatt hours).
  
• Minimum and maximum abstracted flow for each intake, including minimum river flow at which generation will commence.
  
• The hands off flow proposed and the residual flow at maximum abstraction. If possible, supply photographs of the watercourse at the proposed hands off flow.
  
• Details of the design of each impounding works, including the height as measured from the downstream toe of the works to the crest or top of the spillway; and, where practicable, an estimate of the length, surface area and volume of the impoundment (ie the pool) expected to be created upstream of each intake structure.
  
• Information on designated sites that may be affected by the development.
  
• Details of the river flow that will pass over, through or around the intake structure into the downstream river, including how the flow will vary and how the design of the intake structure enables downstream flow to be provided.
  
• Information on whether the watercourses involved are important to fish and fisheries at a local, catchment or national level, and the locations (with 8-figure National Grid References) of the upstream limit(s) of salmon, sea trout, eels, lamprey, spawning river trout or loch trout in the watercourses involved, or, as appropriate, downstream of them.  Information may be required on other fish species if known to be present, for instance, Arctic charr.
  
• Details of fish screening measures planned for each intake structure.
  
• Details of any provisions made to allow fish to pass safely downstream and upstream if appropriate at the intake structure.
  
• Details of how tailrace flows will be returned to the water environment, including the location of the outfall, the engineering works involved in the construction of the outfall and any fish screening measures. Photographs of the proposed outfall site should also be supplied. The date and time of each photograph must be indicated to allow SEPA to link in with gauging records.
  
• Information on other activities in the same catchment, which could have a potential cumulative effect.
  
• Photographs of the river taken from the same point near the proposed impounding works at low flows after at least two days of dry weather; at medium flows and at high flows (designed to represent a variety of weather conditions). The date and time of each photograph must be indicated to allow SEPA to link in with gauging records.
  
• Photographs of the affected reach showing the representative characteristics of the river bed and bank at low, medium and high flows. This should include a minimum of three photographs within a 500m stretch upstream of the intake.
  
• Photographs of potential obstacles (with a scale for perspective) to fish movement taken at a range of flows. The date and time of each photograph must be indicated to allow SEPA to link in with gauging records.
   

In addition to the general information outlined above, SEPA will also require the information as described in the following sections:

• Hydrological information
• Information on fish and fish habitat
• Information on fish for schemes in protected areas
• Information on other protected species
• Bryophytes and hydro schemes
• Information on morphological characteristics
• Built heritage
• Landscape
• Recreational use

This information can also be found in Section 3 of the Guidance for applicants on supporting information requirements for hydropower applications document.

• Section 3: Supporting information requirements  (69kb)