AN AMBITIOUS visitor centre and hydro project was described as a “milestone” for Blairgowrie and Rattray this week.
Speaking at a special reception in Roy Sim Antiques on Monday, Colin Stewart, chairman of Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company (BARRC) announced that Phase 1 could now start.
And he unveiled an artist’s impression of the state-of-the-art visitor centre teed up for Lower Mill Street.
Mr Stewart reminded members of the company and invited guests that in October 2009 the Scottish Government Town Centre Regeneration Fund awarded Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company (BARRC) £1.5m specifically for a new visitor centre and a hydro-electric project on the River Ericht.
''However, there were conditions which had to be met before the money could be released and this presented the Regeneration Company with a considerable challenge,'' he continued.
''After a great deal of hard work, numerous meetings and negotiations with land owners, etc, the money has finally been released for the hydro project and the building of a new visitor centre in Lower Mill Street beside the River Ericht.
''The Regeneration Company has also established a local community office, One Voice, in Upper Mill Street, providing a base for the main organisations of volunteers working for the regeneration of the town.”
The Visitor Centre, designed by 7N Architects, Edinburgh, will be built beside the River Ericht with a panoramic view of this renowned salmon river and will be sensitively landscaped to safeguard flora and fauna.
The internal design will be flexible by the use of moveable screens and there will be three main areas: an exhibition area, retail space, and a café with an outdoor terrace.
The centre is expected to attract about 20,000 visitors a year. As far as possible, all building work will be undertaken by local contractors.
It is also proposed to install a small 50 Kw screw turbine at the north end of Oakbank Mill lade close to the existing weir and the electricity generated will be sold to the National Grid.
The proceeds, amounting to about £30,000 per year at today’s prices, will be given to the community to help with other regeneration projects in the local area. The leasing agreement negotiated with landowners, Thomas Thomson (Blairgowrie) Ltd, and the owners of Ashbank Lodge, runs for 35 years and this should allow the system to generate a large sum of money for the community over this time period.
The principal civil contractor for the project is J. W. Bentley, and Spaans Babcock will install the turbine and electrical switch gear.
Inter Hydro Technology, who have been associated with the development of the hydro system from its inception, will manage the project during the construction phase.
It is expected that construction work will begin in July and the whole operation completed by Christmas 2010 when electricity will be exported to the National Grid for the first time.
MSP John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, welcomed the latest milestone.
''I am delighted that the plans have been able to progress with the help of assistance from the Scottish Government's Town Centre Regeneration Fund.”
Also at the celebrations was MSP Murdo Fraser who said the Scottish Conservatives secured the Town Centre Regeneration Fund during the 2009-10 budget and Perthshire Conservatives.
''These developments are extremely exciting for Blairgowrie and Rattray and they will make a real difference to the area, both for local residents and for visitors,” he added.
