NATIONAL park planning chiefs have awarded listed building consent for a pump house at a power station near Loch Lomond.
James Edmundson’s proposal for the Sloy Power Station was approved after no objections or expressions of support were received by Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority.
The planned development will allow water to be pumped through the pipelines and tunnels from Loch Lomond back up to Loch Sloy during times of low energy demand.
It is also claimed in a handling report that it will increase the capacity at the nearby Sloy Hydroelectric Power Station.
A national park planning officer said in a handling report: “Whilst the proposed new pump hall would operate underground, detached from the listed structure, a new standalone glass and stone structure to house the electrical switchgear, pump infrastructure and gantry crane would be built above ground to the northeast end of the existing power station turbine hall.
“The proposed glass and stone structure would be a similar height and scale to the original power station building and would be separated from the existing listed building by approximately five metres.
“Designed to sit lower in height than the main building, and of a design which offers a modern interpretation of the listed building incorporating tall glazed bays and simple pilasters, the proposed pumphouse would not over dominate the existing power station nor interrupt views to the main elevation of the existing buildings.
“Whilst proposed as a new element in the grounds of the listed building, the introduction of the new pumping station would not significantly detract from the character of the existing power station nor affect the understanding and appreciation of the architectural merits of the existing power station or its wider landscape setting.”
The official added: “The application includes a programme of ongoing maintenance and management of the woodland areas which would remove non-native species from the site and ensure a suitable planting is established which is native to the listed building site.
“With regards to impact upon the wider landscape, this has been assessed in respect of the parallel planning application.
“It is assessed that whilst the addition of the new building and associated hardstanding areas would change the setting of the existing power station from one featuring a focal point building within a mature amenity parkland-type setting, to one more characterised by built development, this would be a very localised effect and would be seen in the context of a high quality of design and implementation.
“Considering the sensitive design approach of the proposed development and the landscape mitigation proposed to protect the setting of the category A listed building, it is concluded that the special interest of the A-listed building would be preserved, and the proposal will result in a sensitive incorporation into the site.”
