Irreplaceable Caledonian Forest faces developer's axe – Register your complaint
25/08/2009 16:12:07
Ancient woodland threatened on the Dall Estate. Credit Woodland Trust.
Woodland Trust to fight largest ever UK loss of woodland
August 2009. Development plans to build a vast housing and leisure complex threaten to flatten 160 hectares (400 acres) of historic Caledonian forest north west of Perth. A further 240 hectares (600 acres) of associated woodland is also threatened from the plan submitted on a part of the vast Dall Estate, which boasts unique eco systems and rare wildlife formed over hundreds and probably thousands of years.
The Woodland Trust Scotland has now added its objections to a growing list of dissenters listed with Perth and Kinross Council.
Black Wood of Rannoch
The South Rannoch woodland lies next to the Black Wood of Rannoch - the most southerly remnant of Caledonian forest in Scotland. Formed at the end of the last Ice Age it is considered to be one of the last remaining wildernesses in the British Isles.
The potential loss of woodland is the biggest amount of threatened ancient woodland the Woodland Trust has ever encountered and has been described by the Woodland Trust as ‘totally ludicrous'.
Capercaille & Black grouse
South Rannoch woodlands are home to a wide variety of wildlife, much of which is not found elsewhere in the British Isles. The ‘Red List'-protected capercaillie, the population of which has declined so rapidly that it is at very real risk of extinction, is found in the woodland, together with the equally rare black grouse - one of the most rapidly declining bird species in the UK. Other important dependent species include bats, red squirrels, wood ants and golden eagles.
Woodlands on the Dall Estate under threat. Credit Woodland Trust.
"The Woodland Trust Scotland has submitted its objection to the plans. The proposals will effectively pour concrete over this habitat, destroying the valuable wildlife within and isolating the Black Wood of Rannoch even further", says Andrew Fairbairn, Policy and Communications Manager Woodland Trust Scotland.
Thousands of years of evolution being lost forever
"It is disappointing that, in this day and age, with so much more awareness of the importance of protecting the natural environment that a developer can propose something so damaging and ludicrous that would result in thousands of years of evolution being lost forever. Ancient Woodland is an irreplaceable habitat and there has been no attempt to minimise the damage to it, it will just be razed to the ground if this goes ahead."
He continues "We call on Perth and Kinross council to throw out this planning application, due to the totally unacceptable level of environmental vandalism it will cause, and to allow this fragment of the once great forest to remain."
Ancient woodland is the UK's rainforestAreas of Caledonian Forest covered Scotland but now only small fragments remain. Ancient woodland is the richest habitat for species in the UK, the UK's equivalent of the rainforest. Caledonia was the ancient Romans' name for Scotland, the name continuing as a description of its once dense forestation
The Woodland Trust is urging all those concerned to make their objections via the Perth and Kinross Council website or post by 31st August. To object online visit the
http://www.pkc.gov.uk follow the planning links and search for planning application reference: 09/01273 and object by clicking on the ‘leave a comment' tab.
Read the comments about this article and leave your own comment
Marie did say it all.
All i can add to it, is to say after visiting Scotland this year, i can not understand how such beauty and wilderness like the Caledonian Forest can be destroyed.
For the sake of the wild animals and people alike, this important habitat should be protected.
Please do not let them ruin a very our precious enviroment, and ancient forest, that we can never get back.
Posted by: Anita Reck | 20 Nov 2009 15:36:04
Is there an official petition opposing this proposed development?
Posted by: Denise MacKenzie | 04 Oct 2009 23:45:26
how can it be that in a country with one the smallest percentages of natural forests left in the world the last remnants still are not safe. Surely this is not going to be allowed to happen. Ancient forests are a haven for vast amounts of different lifeforms.
Posted by: micky jones | 03 Sep 2009 22:32:13
Marie - above - says it all - if this development is needed then look for a Brownfield site near to this Ancient Forest. We certainly have to look at the people who consider permanently destroying (for that is what this project would mean) ancient woodland of this calibre.
Is there an equivalent site for the Scottish Parliament to register Petitions - and if so, why has no Scottish SMP Member started this already?
Richard Cooper Chair of Riverside Concern 3Rivers which is a UK based Environmental Watchers and Cares Group
Posted by: riversideconcern3rivers | 29 Aug 2009 03:57:26
Never, never, never should the Caledonian Forest be permanently ruined after thousands of years ONLY to satisfy YET AGAIN the pecuniary goals of money-making property developers in the GUISE of providing social housing THAT SHOULD BE PLACED ELSEWHERE - on reclaimed industrial land (BROWN FIELD SITES) of which there are PLENTY. Those who can even be considering this action can only be described as CRIMINALS - YOU CANNOT ALLOW THIS!!!!
Posted by: Marie Gilman | 28 Aug 2009 17:34:45
Stop this criminal waste!
Posted by: Sonia Rowland | 26 Aug 2009 10:51:55
This is a criminal waste!
Posted by: Sonia Rowland | 26 Aug 2009 10:51:13