CAR/L/5010728 - Loch Kemp Storage Limited; Loch Kemp Storage, Easter Drummond, Whitebridge, Inverness, IV2 6UP

Overview

It is part of our remit to protect the water environment. We regulate through authorisations that limit the scope and scale of the activity.

If you have an interest in this application, please tell us by completing the following questions and submitting them to us by 26 March 2026.

Application details

We received an application from Loch Kemp Storage Limited, Loch Kemp Storage, Easter Drummond, Whitebridge, Inverness, IV2 6UP, on 1 May 2025 for a new authorisation to carry out the abstraction of water from the water environment and impoundment of water for a pumped storage hydro scheme (CAR/L/5010728). 

The application form provided by the applicant is available below:

• Form A
• Form D
• Loch Kemp Outflow- flow analysis June 2025.pdfP14674_ASH Design and Assessment- Fish and FWPM Habitat Walkover Report_V3.0.pdf
• LKCV_FIC_PH_ZZ_SC_O_000320-CO_Cross Sections.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 7.1- Loch Ness Hydrological Modelling Technical Note.pdf
• Volume 1 Chapter 10- Terrestrial Ecology.pdf
• Volume 1 Chapter 12- Aquatic Ecology.pdf
• Volume 1- Chapter 13- Fish.pdf
• Volume 2- Figure 10.1- Locations of Designated Sites within 10km.pdf
• Volume 2- Figure 10.7- Potential GWDTE.pdf
• Volume 2- Figure 14.1 Local Hydrology.pdf
• Volume 2- Figure 14.6- Regional Hydrogeology.pdf
• Volume 2-Figure 14.7- Groundwater Vuulnerability.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 10.4- Freshwater Lichens Survey Report.pdf
• Volume 1---chapter 14---geology,soils-and-water.pdf
• Volume-1---chapter-3---description-of development.pdf
• Volume-1---chapter-7---water-management.pdf
• Volume-2---figure-3.4---indicative-layout-of-lower-reservoir-works---during-construction.pdf
• Volume-2---figure-3.5---indicative-layout-of-lower-reservoir wrks-during-operation.pdf
• Volume-4---appendix-3.2---schedule-of-mitigation.pdf
• Volume-2---appendix-3.3---typical-dam-plan&-sections.pdf
• 120019-D-CAR-1.0-1.0.0 Figure-1-Catchment Area & Abstraction Points.pdf
• LKCV_FIC_IT_US_M2_O_010290-0B-InletOutlet Structure-Loch Kemp.pdf
• LKCV_FIC_RD_D4SC_O_010241-0A-DAM 4.pdf
• LKCV_FIC_PH_XX_SC_O_010318-0E-InletOutlet Structure-Loch Ness.pdf
• LKCV_FIC_ZZ_ZZ_TV_X_010140-0A-Kemp Overview with Satelite.pdf
• AI Appendix 12.1- Addendum to Aquatic Surevys.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 10.2- Bryophyte Survey Report.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 10.1- Terrestrial Ecology Report.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 10.3- Terrestrial Lichen Survey Report.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 10.4- Freshwater Lichen Survey.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 12.1- Loch Kemp Baseline Aquatic Surveys.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 10.6- Eco hydrological Assessment.pdf
• LKE-PS-0-2- Loch Kemp- Outline CEMP_Rev1.pdf

SEPA do not believe the following documents submitted with the application to be directly relevant to the determination and have chosen to limit publication to those we consider directly applicable to determination. However, should you wish an electronic copy of any document on this list please specify the title and email registry@sepa.org.uk .

• 120019-R-sHRA-1.0.0- Kemp Pumped Storage HRA Addendum.pdf
• Volume 1 Chapter 11- Ornithology
• Volume 2- Figure 10.4- NVC habitat Map with Proposed infrastructure.pdf
• Volume 2- Figure 11.4- Breeding Bird Survey- Birds of Conservation concern
• Volume-1---chapter-2---design-evolution-and-alternatives.pdf
• Loch Kemp Storage- SAC Compensation Update-Technical Report.pdf
• Appendix 10.9- NVC Survey Report for Ness Woods SAC.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 10.5- Ness Woods SAC Tree Tagging.pdf
• Volume 4- Appendix 11.2- Ornithological Baseline Survey Results.pdf

The applicant will place an advert in the national and local press. You have until 09 April 2026  to submit your comments.

Why your views matter

Why are we consulting?

This is your opportunity to let us know about any risks you believe the activity(ies) will have on:

• The water environment, including potential impacts to species and habitats. 
• The interests of other users of the water environment, resulting from an aspect of the proposed activity(ies) that we regulate.

How we will manage responses

At the end of the consultation, we will publish all comments. You can tell us within the consultation if you do not want your comment published. If this is the case, we will publish a note saying that we received a response but have not made it publicly available.

We will write to everyone who responded to the consultation and provided contact details, outlining the feedback received, how it has been taken into account and our proposed decision. If you disagree with our decision, you will be given the opportunity to request that Scottish Ministers ‘call-in’ the application for their determination.

Scottish Minister may agree to call-in an application if: 

• the representation provides clear reason for the objection, supported by evidence;
• the objection relates to material considerations raised during determination of the application.

The full criteria for Ministerial consideration are listed on gov.scot.

The final decision will be published on this website along with the authorisation, if granted.