Development Detrimental Downside

The Torrs hydro electric scheme takes away the unique eye-level access to the waterfall, diminishes its dramatic effect, and spoils the scenic view by attracting the eye to its industrial development.

Unique Experience Lost

Unique eye-level access at the side of the thundering weir has been lost, as that is where the 23 x 3.5 m industrial plant sits.

Nowhere else was there a feature like this where a waterfall could be appreciated at such close proximity. Lots of people, in particular young children, enjoyed stepping down into the old waterwheel well for the experience of viewing and listening to the torrent of water. It gave a sense of awe at the drama of a river and a respect for nature - this is now lost forever.

Waterfall Dramatically Depleted

Water over the weir is severely reduced, so that the dramatic waterfall is spoiled.

When asked about alternative sites, the developer of the hydro scheme told the Town Council he would not want to touch the lower weir alongside Torr Vale Mill as it would take too much water away. Yet this is the same water that flows over the upper weir where he does plan to bypass much of the water.

Beauty Spot Spoiled

The scenic view from the picnic area across the weir towards Queens bridge is ruined by a block house and large mesh-covered pit.

Some councillors tried to make out that the pit and blockhouse would be aesthetic in themselves - this nonsense just demonstrates the bankruptcy of their case.

There were repeated requests for a photographic impression of what the development would look like from the picnic area, but the developers did not do this - for obvious reasons:

Industrialisation

Supporters of the scheme say the site was in past times a mill, so industrial development is appropriate. This is an absurd argument, as it could be used to justify any development at this site, including building a factory complex there.

Whatever the site may have been in the past, it had become a park of grass, trees and paths created around the rivers and gorge. The small remains of the mill stand as a 'ruin' would in a park landscape. The weir was in the past part of a feed for a waterwheel, but had become a waterfall spectacle enjoyed by locals and visitors.

The Torrs is no longer an industrial site and should not be allowed to be treated as such.

 

The PANORAMA and VIDEO show the scenic value of the picnic site and waterfall - before it was spoiled.

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This page has been modified to reflect what has happened since the building of the hydroelectric industrial equipment. The rest of the website remains as it was during the campaign to Preserve the Torrs.