Questions in the House

CONSERVATIONISTS have accused the Scottish Executive of breaching a commitment to the world summit on sustainable development by failing to stop a proposal for housing in a Highland wood.

The dispute is being viewed as a taste of planning rows to come when the Cairngorm National Park opens next year.

Highland Council approved plans from Eagle Star to build 40 houses at School Wood, near Nethybridge. The application, which divided local opinion, was referred to the Executive with the possibility that it would be "called in" for a decision, but no action was taken and it was sent back to the council.

However, some residents say the Executive’s inaction goes against a pledge made as part of Scotland’s contribution to the world summit in Johannesburg.

Under the UK Forest Partnership for Action, the Executive is committed to the "restoration, protection and expansion of native woodlands in the UK".

There is also concern that the proposal was approved without objection from Scottish Natural Heritage. Dr Gus Jones, the convener of the Badenoch and Strathspey Conservation Group, said: "We are calling on all concerned to immediately review this case so as to comply with commitments to protect native woodland."

Dr Adam Watson, an authority on the Cairngorms, said: "This wood is a priceless asset. SNH’s refusal to change its stance and the Executive’s passing the buck back to the council openly contradicts the government’s international commitment at Johannesburg to protect native woodland. Clearly, the left hand did not know what the right hand had done.

"This is incompetence."

George Hogg, SNH’s east Highland area manager, said the area had been zoned for housing after a public inquiry and has no conservation designation. He said there is no evidence that the wood is used regularly by capercaillie.

Robert Cameron, Highland Council’s area planning manager, said: "This is allocated land and all the issues were considered. SNH’s advice was there would not be any significant detrimental effect on any nature conservation interest."


Questions have been asked about School Woods
	in the House
	and in The Scotsman