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Protecting sites in Scotland
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Home > Our work > Conservation > Protecting wildlife sites > Protecting sites in Scotland > Menie Estate Golf Development
Menie Estate Golf Development
In November 2006, Trump International Golf Links Scotland (TIGLS) submitted a planning application for a golf course and resort development at Menie Estate, just north of Aberdeen. In addition to two golf courses with associated structures, TIGLS sought permission for a large hotel, 500 houses and 1,000 holiday homes. RSPB Scotland objected to the Trump International application because of the destruction it could cause to Foveran Links, one of our nationally protected Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – a fragile dune system described as ‘unparalleled in Great Britain’. The developer's own Environmental Statement acknowledges that there will be very significant adverse effects on habitats and biodiversity - the mobile dunes which form one of the main qualifying features of the Foveran Links SSSI will be destroyed by the stabilisation necessary to build one golf course. This is one of the very best examples of a mobile dune system in the country and SSSI designation should offer such a site a very high level of protection. There are also other habitats, bird populations and further biodiversity interests which are threatened by this development. The developer's own Environmental Statement acknowledges that there will be very significant adverse effects on habitats and biodiversity... Aberdeenshire Council, who initially dealt with the application, considered that the adverse environmental effects outweighed the proposed employment and economic benefits and that there was no case for overturning development plan policies by issuing a consent. In an unprecedented move, before the Council had issued a notice of refusal, Ministers called in the application for their own determination, as they judged the matter to raise issues of importance requiring consideration at a national level. A Public Local Inquiry was held earlier this summer into the application. RSPB Scotland gave evidence, jointly with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Botanical Society of the British Isles. We urged the Reporters to suggest refusal or, if they were minded to recommend consent, to attach a condition that no development should take place on the SSSI or the mobile dune system in the southern part of the site. We asked respected Scottish golf course architect Mike Wood to show how a possible championship level course could be built, without destroying the protected sand dunes at Foveran Links SSSI, which are an invaluable piece of natural heritage. His study (see link) was submitted to the Public Inquiry as a potential way forward. It became clear from the evidence heard at the Inquiry that:
A Report, with recommendation, was sent to Cabinet Secretary John Swinney MSP and he announced the decision to grant outline planning permission on 3rd November 2008. What you can do We appreciate that many people will be as disappointed as we are with this decision. We are examining the decision documents and will be looking carefully at all the applications Trump International will have to make as the development progresses. In the meantime, you may wish to contact your MSP and express your regret that the Scottish Government could not find a way to consent this development without allowing destruction of the shifting sand dunes at Foveran Links SSSI. You can find your MSP using the link on the right. You can contact us on campaigns.scotland@rspb.org.uk Last modified: 06 November 2008 |
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Minsmere RSPB Reserve, general view of Boomacre Mere - David Tipling (rspb-images.com)
Hummingbird hawkmoth - Steve Round
Tree sparrow perched on branch in woodland - Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1018091)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)