A HYDROPOWER scheme is to be installed on the River Doon at Alloway's Millbrae to generate electricity through the power of the river.

Applications for the site which lies on the West bank of the River Doon and South East of Ayr Rugby Club have been granted by South Ayrshire Council.

The building is expected to be 4.5m high, 9.6m wide and cover an area of 61m sq. It is proposed the material used will match existing garaged at Dutch Mill.

Various organisations including Ayrshire Rivers Trust , Scottish Water, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Environmental Health, Scottish Natural Heritage, Sustainable Development (Biodiversity), West Of Scotland Archaeology Service, Scottish Wildlife Trust, Development Planning have all been contacted regarding the project.

The development has been approved because there is no significant adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring land and buildings.

Jill Cronin, South Ayrshire Council’s Head of Enterprise, Development and Leisure said: “I can confirm that an application to build a hydro scheme at Millbrae in Alloway was approved, with conditions, on 29 August. 

“The Council is committed to encouraging renewable-energy developments that complement the landscape and countryside 

“The Doon Hydro scheme is the perfect fit for local priorities and will return energy production to a site with a history of using the river to produce power, with a mill having operated there for many years in the past.”