Planning Application
Glen Earrach Energy Planning Application
Since April 2024, Glen Earrach Energy has prioritised early and meaningful engagement with the local community. Our project team launched early engagement immediately after submission of our request for a Scoping Opinion, and have since completed four separate rounds of consultation with communities around the full Loch Ness area, well before statutory pre-application requirements began.  
This feedback has directly informed the final design of the project, resulting in major design changes to reduce visual impact, reduce transport on the A82, protect our natural landscape and views of residents, and minimise above-ground infrastructure.
We’ve listened carefully to local views, and we’ll keep doing so.
Following these design improvements, Glen Earrach Energy has now submitted a Section 36 application for planning permission to the Scottish Government.
If approved, our project will offer more storage and greater community benefits than any other proposed project on Loch Ness.
The project is expected to support around 1,000 jobs during construction, create long-term high-quality employment, and inject significant local and regional supply chain value into the Highlands economy.
Having reached this key milestone, we look forward to working with the local community, the Scottish Government and The Highland Council on the next phase of the project’s journey
You can view our plans below.
Cover, Contents, Abbreviations and Defined Terms
Chapter 2 - Project and Site Description
Chapter 3 - Evolution of Design and Alternatives
Chapter 6 – Landscape and Visual
Chapter 7 – Terrestrial Ecology
Chapter 9 – Aquatic and Marine Ecology
Chapter 10 – Water Environment
Chapter 11 – Flood Risk and Water Resources
Chapter 12 – Cultural Heritage
Chapter 13 – Access Traffic Transport
Chapter 15 – Geology and Ground Conditions
Figure 2.1 - Environmental Constraints
Figure 2.3 - Above Ground Infrastructure
Figure 2.4 - Below Ground Infrastructure
Figure 2.5 - Site Design - Pre-Construction Phase Plan
Figure 2.6 - Site Design - Construction Phase Plan
Figure 2.7 - Site Design - Operational Phase Plan
Figure 2.8 - Development Cross Section
Figure 2.9 - Headpond Arrangement Plan
Figure 2.10 - Headpond Cross Section
Figure 2.11 - Headpond Embankments Typical Detail
Figure 2.12 - Headpond Borrow Pit Plan and Section
Figure 2.13 - Upper Control Works Plan
Figure 2.14 - Upper Control Works Section
Figure 2.15 - Lower Control Works - 3D Visualisation
Figure 2.16 - Lower Control Works Plan
Figure 2.17 - Lower Control Works Section
Figure 2.18 - Dry Tunnel Plan and Section
Figure 2.19 - Spillway Section
Figure 2.20 - Valve Cavern Access Tunnel Plan and Section
Figure 2.21 - Tunnel Portal Plan and Section
Figure 2.22 - Waterways Plan and Section
Figure 2.23 - Power Cavern Plan
Figure 2.24 - Power Cavern Section
Figure 2.25 - Valve Cavern Plan and Section
Figure 2.26 - Indicative Construction Compound Plan
Figure 2.27 - GIS Switchyard Plan
Figure 2.28 - Temporary Workers Accommodation Plan
Figure 2.29 - Temporary Workers Accommodation Section
Figure 2.30 - Temporary Core Path Diversion
Figure 2.31 - Excavated Access Track Detail
Figure 2.32 - Floating Access Track Detail
Figure 2.33 - Watercourse Crossing Detail
Figure 3.1 - Design Evolution Design I Pre-Feasibility
Figure 3.2 - Design Evolution Design II Feasibility
Figure 3.3 - Design Evolution Design III Scoping
Figure 3.4 - Design Evolution Design IV Post Scoping Option A
Figure 3.5 - Design Evolution Design V Post-Public Consultation
Figure 3.6 - Design Evolution Design V Design Freeze
Figure 6.2A - Zone of Theoretical Visibility - Headpond and Embankments
Figure 6.2B - Zone of Theoretical Visibility - Lower Control Works
Figure 6.2C - Zone of Theoretical Visibility - Secondary Bund
Figure 6.2D - Zone of Theoretical Visibility - Construction and Permanent Compounds
Figure 6.2E - Zone of Theoretical Visibility - Construction Tracks
Figure 6.2F - Zone of Theoretical Visibility - Permanent Tracks
Figure 6.2G - Zone of Theoretical Visibility - Operational Elements
Figure 6.3 - Special Landscape Areas and Operation Zone of Theoretrical Visibility
Figure 6.4 - Landscape Designations and Operation Zone of Theoretrical Visibility
Figure 6.5 - Landscape Character Types and Operational Zone of Theoretical Visibility
Figure 6.6 - Local Walking & Recreational Routes, Core Paths and Operational ZTV
Figure 6.7A - Viewpoints and Operational Zone of Theoretical Visibility
Figure 6.7B - Viewpoints and Operational Zone of Theoretical Visibility
Figure 6.8 - Cumulative Schemes (Scenario 1) and Operational Zone of Theoretical Visibility
Figure 6.9 - Cumulative Schemes (Scenario 2) and Operational Zone of Theoretical Visibility
Figure 7.1 - Northern Highlands Natural Heritage Zone
Figure 7.2 - European Sites Special Areas of Conservation
Figure 7.3 - Sites of Special Scientific Interest,Ancient Woodland,Invertebrate
Figure 7.4 - Terrestrial Ecology Survey Areas and Camera Trap Locations
Figure 7.6 - National Vegetation Classification
Figure 7.8 - Notable Plants and Habitat Features
Figure 7.9 - Potential Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems
Figure 7.11 - Water Vole Survey Results and Incidental Records
Figure 7.12 - Pine Marten, Badger Red Squirrel Survey Results and Incidental Record
Figure 7.13 - Incidental Records of Other Important and Notable Species
Figure 8.1 - Northern Highlands Natural Heritage Zone (NHZ 7)
Figure 8.2 - Ornithology Field Survey Areas
Figure 8.3 - Vantage Point Viewsheds
Figure 8.4 - Statutory Designated Sites for Ornithology
Figure 8.5 - Moorland Breeding Bird Survey Territories - Waders, Waterbirds and Grouse
Figure 8.6 - Moorland Breeding Bird Survey Territories - Passerines
Figure 8.7 - Breeding Season VP Flight Lines - Waders, Waterbirds and Grouse
Figure 8.8 - Breeding Season VP Flight Lines - Raptors
Figure 8.9 - Non-Breeding Season VP Flight Lines
Figure 8.10 - Breeding Diver and Grebe Survey Waterbodies
Figure 10.1 - Surface Water Receptors
Figure 10.2 - Groundwater Receptors
Figure 10.3 - Private Water Supplies
Figure 10.4 - Watercourse Crossings
Figure 11.1 - Site Waterbodies
Figure 11.2 - Loch Ness Waterbodies and Hydro Schemes
Figure 12.1 - Heritage Assets within the Site and the 1 km Study Area
Figure 12.2 - Designated Heritage assets within the 3 km Study Area
Figure 12.3 - Heritage Assets within Site and 3km Study Area ZTV
Figure 13.1 - Traffic and Movement Study Area
Figure 13.2 - Traffic Survey Locations 2024
Figure 13.3 - Injury Accident Locations 2019-2023
Figure 13.4 - Construction Traffic Programme Vehicle Movements Graph
Figure 14.1 - Sensitive Receptors Considered as Part of the Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment
Figure 14.2 - Long and Short Term Sound Monitoring Locations
Figure 14.3 - Road Traffic Noise Study Links
Figure 15.3 - Superficial Geology
Figure 15.4 - Peat Probe Survey Results
Figure 15.5 - Peat Depth Interpolation Plan
Figure 16.1 - Socio-economic, Recreation and Tourism Receptors
Figure 16.2 - Outline Access Management Plan Recreational Routes and Paths
Figure 18.1 - Loch Ness Woodland Proposed Felling Requirements
Figure 18.2 - Overall Track Felling Requirements Sheets 1-11
Appendix 2.1 – Dochfour Weir Upgrade Description
Appendix 2.2 – Letter from Scottish Canals
Appendix 3.1 – oCEMP
Appendix 4.1 – Scoping Opinion
Appendix 4.2 – Consultation Tracker
Appendix 4.3 – Gate Check Report
Appendix 6.1 – Landscape and Visual Methodology
Appendix 6.2 – Landscape Assessment
Appendix 6.3 – Visual Assessment
Appendix 6.4 – Landscape and Ecology Management Plan
Appendix 7.1 – EcIA Method
Appendix 7.2 – Statement to Inform HRA
Appendix 7.3 – Habitats
Appendix 7.4 – Mammals
Appendix 7.5 – Biodiversity Net Gain
Appendix 7.6 – Outline Peatland Restoration Plan
Appendix 8.1 – Ornithology
Appendix 9.1 – Aquatic Ecology Baseline Report
Appendix 10.1 – WFD Assessment
Appendix 10.2 – PWS Assessment
Appendix 10.3 – Geomorphic Baseline and Watercourse Crossings
Appendix 10.4 – Outline Water Management Plan
Appendix 10.5 – Loch nam Breac Dearga Chemistry
Appendix 10.6 – Stratification Literature Review
Appendix 11.1 – Water Resources
Appendix 11.2 – Flood Risk Assessment
Appendix 12.1 – Glen Earrach Gazetteers
Appendix 12.2 – Site Photographs
Appendix 13.1 – Transport Assessment for Print
Appendix 13.2 – Framework CTMP
Appendix 14.1 – Acoustic Terminology
Appendix 14.2 – Baseline Monitoring
Appendix 14.3 – Acoustic Model Input
Appendix 15.1 – Material Management Appraisal
Appendix 15.2 – Outline Peat Management Plan
Appendix 15.3 – Preliminary Peat Landslide Hazard and Risk Assessment
Appendix 16.1 – Outline Access Management Plan
Appendix 16.2 – Recreation and Tourism Features
Appendix 17.1 – Climate Change Risk Assessment
Appendix 17.2 – In-combination CC Impact Assessment Clean
Appendix 18.1 – Woodland Report LN
Appendix 18.2 – Woodland Report GUW
Appendix 19.1 – Mitigation Register
Additional Information - Appendix 1 - Landscape and Visual
Additional Information - Appendix 2 - Water Resources
Figure 1.1 - Overall Mapping NS
Figure 1.2 - Overall Mapping THC
Figure 1.3 - Meall Fuar-mhonaidh Summit NS
Figure 1.4 - Meall Fuar-mhonaidh Summit THC
Figure 1.5 - Settlement of Foyers NS
Figure 1.6 - Settlement of Foyers THC
Figure 1.7 - Foyers Campsite NS
Figure 1.8 - Foyers Campsite THC
Figure 1.9 - Great Glen Way and Bunloit Road near Bunloit NS
Figure 1.10 - Great Glen Way and Bunloit Road near Bunloit THC
Figure 1.11 - Beach near to Loch Ness View off the B852 NS
Figure 1.12 - Beach near to Loch Ness View off the B852 THC
Figure 1.15 - Core Path Network and Glen Coiltie Walking Loop NS
Figure 1.16 - Core Path Network and Glen Coiltie Walking Loop THC
Additional Information - Advert
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