A research consortium is looking into more environmentally friendly methods for laying housing foundations on peatland in the Highlands and Islands.
The new study is being carried out by Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University.
It is hoped a solution can be found to mitigate the disruption to the natural ecosystem and capture carbon dioxide to increase economic development in parts of the Highlands and Islands.
It is being supported by the Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC).
JAHAMA Highland Estates, which is owned by troubled steel tycoon Sanjeev Gupta, is assessing the feasibility of a range of construction methods to minimise disturbance to peat and mitigate the environmental impacts.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), NatureScot, ECOSystems Tech and the Scottish Government are also supporting the initiative.
Peatland plays an important role in Scotland’s natural landscape and ecosystem, consisting of dead and decaying plant material with carbon captured in the remains.
As much as 20% of Scottish land is covered in peat soil serving which is a significant carbon store for more than 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon - equivalent to 140 years’ worth of Scotland’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the soil is often unsuitable for building upon because of low strength, landslide risks and its tendency to deform under load.
This project will explore a number of options that allow peat - and stored carbon - to be left in place, such as deep-soil-mixing, and piling.
Timber piling would use tree trunks or long poles of timber to carry the foundations of a building.
Disturbance of the peatland would be minimised, especially the presence of groundwater, which is essential if peat is to continue to accumulate.
The aim of the first phase of the project is to assess and compare the geotechnical suitability, environmental impact, logistics and cost implications of the different approaches.
In a second phase, live field trials are planned to assess the suitability of proposed solutions.
Julia Stoddart, chief operating officer at Jahama Highland Estates, said: “With over 14,000ha of peatland on the estate, restoration work forms a significant part of our parent organisation GFG Alliance’s efforts to offset the carbon footprint of its industrial operations as it progresses towards carbon neutrality by 2030.
“As a large employer in the local area, GFG Alliance also recognises the importance of this research in addressing the long-standing issues concerning housing stock in the Highlands. We are committed to reconnecting people and place in Lochaber and Badenoch. Releasing constrained land for sustainable new housing would be transformative for our local communities.”
Scott Dingwall, head of regional development, Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross, at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “The availability of suitable affordable housing is a key factor in regional development across the Highlands and Islands. It is needed to attract and retain young people as well as inward investors looking to locate in the region.”
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