Item 6 Appendix 2 HRA 20250300DET Hydro Electric Scheme Blairgowrie

This document contains a Habitats Regulations Appraisal for a proposed micro hydro-electric scheme near Dalmunzie Castle Hotel. This appraisal carefully looked at the potential short-term impacts that building the scheme could have on important wildlife and habitats. It considered effects on species like lamprey, Atlantic salmon, and otters within the River Tay Special Area of Conservation, as well as birds such as Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Merlin, and Golden Eagle in the Forest of Clunie Special Protection Area and Cairngorms Massif Special Protection Area. The assessment concludes that if key mitigation measures are put in place – including a detailed pollution prevention plan, surveys for protected species before work starts, and scheduling construction to avoid important times for salmon spawning (mid-October to end of February) and bird breeding (February to end of August) – then the project will not negatively affect these protected sites.