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Questions have been asked about School Woods |
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Roy Turnbull's letter in The Scotsman 30th November 2002 |
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Questions have been asked about School Woods |
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Roy Turnbull's letter in The Scotsman 30th November 2002 |
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Irreplaceable
wood
You reported the failure of the Scottish
Executive to honour its commitment, made at the Johannesburg World
Summit earlier this year, to protect native woodlands (earlier
editions, 26 November).
This was illustrated by the case of School Wood in the future Cairngorms national park, which Highland Council is minded to approve for housing, without intervention from the Executive, or objection from Scottish Natural Heritage. In response, SNH said the wood was zoned for housing at a public inquiry. However, the former Highland Regional Council wrongly informed the Reporter to the inquiry that the wood was of plantation origin. It is not; it is of semi-natural origin, and the difference is crucial. Plantation-origin woods can be created anywhere, for example, by planting trees on a slagheap. Ancient woodland sites, like School Wood, are irreplaceable. During the inquiry, the Reporter walked along the road beside the wood, but did not step off the tarmac to look at it. The First Minister, Jack McConnell, has emphasised that it is possible for the economy to grow without wrecking the environment on which it depends. I hope the Executive’s actions, before the next election, show that it is honouring its commitment to protect native woodlands. ROY TURNBULL Nethy Bridge Inverness-shire
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