Vital Capercaillie habitat threatened by golf course plans

27/09/2009 23:32:07 RSPB Scotland object to Dall golf course plans

September 2009. RSPB Scotland has objected to an outline planning application to construct two golf courses and associated luxury buildings at the Dall estate on part of the South Rannoch forest by the shore of Loch Rannoch. If the development is allowed to go ahead as planned, an area greater than 350 football pitches of native Scots pine woodland - prime Capercaillie habitat - would be destroyed.

The South Rannoch Forest incorporates both the Black Wood of Rannoch SAC (Special Area of Conservation) and SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). It is the most extensive area of Caledonian pine forest left in Perthshire and is important for a number of iconic Scottish species, including the Scottish crossbill and the Capercaillie.

Although the proposed development would not be within the current boundary of either of these two protected sites, the site is already very important for wildlife and has also been identified for expansion of the Caledonian forest. Granting consent would be contrary to current planning and forestry policies specifically designed to protect and enhance very important wildlife habitats like this, and would cause disturbance to the areas around it.

Capercaillie already in trouble
Bruce Anderson, RSPB Scotland Tayside and Fife Area Manager said: "Capercaillie are having a hard enough time hanging on in Scotland without clearing their preferred habitat. The area earmarked for this development is the species' best bet for hanging on at all in Perthshire, and has quite rightly been identified for expansion of the Caledonian pine forest. Loss, fragmentation and disturbance in this area should be resisted at all costs. Scotland has precious little native pine forest left as it is - and what we have should be protected. This development can go elsewhere; the Capercaillie cannot."