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Other information

This section outlines the information that applicants will need to provide in relation to the proposed scheme on the following areas:

• Morphological
• Built heritage
• Landscape
• Recreational use

Morphological information requirements

SEPA will require information on the river morphological type to assess potential impacts on sediment movement and transport as a result of the development. This can be assessed using photographs submitted as part of the general requirements. Sediment management conditions will be part of any licence, and these conditions will be dependant on your site and the size of your impoundment.  There may be a requirement during the determination of an application for a developer to carry out further survey work if certain sites are seen to be high risk. This may also lead to the development of a sediment management plan.

Built heritage information requirements

SEPA will require applicants to identify any Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Listed buildings or other sites or monuments on the Sites and Monuments Record or the National Monuments Record which may be directly or indirectly affected by any of the controlled activities involved in constructing or operating the proposed scheme.

Historic Scotland, the Royal Commission on the Ancient & Historical Monuments of Scotland and local authorities hold information on built heritage sites and archaeological sites.

Landscape information requirements

If the hydropower scheme could potentially result in significant adverse landscape and visual impacts, applicants are likely to be required to carry out a landscape and visual impact assessment. The assessment should be carried out in accordance with the Guidelines for landscape and visual impact assessment 2nd Edition, 2002 (IEMA/LI). This may form part of an environmental impact assessment. Circular 15/1999 for the Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999 indicates that an environmental impact assessment is more likely to be required for any new hydro-electric scheme which has more than 5MW generating capacity.

• Annex D: Information on landscape interests  (20kb)

Information on recreational use

Applicants will be expected to identify what they know of any recreational use of the part of water environment directly or indirectly affected by the proposed scheme. This should include evidence based on the presence of paths leading to, and along, the river or loch; the presence of moorings or fishing huts; records of observed use; or contact or communication between the applicant and recreational interest groups, including anglers, canoeists and others. The advertising and consultation process may also highlight other water users that the applicant may not have knowledge of. This may result in requests for further information.