Woodland destruction letters in The Scotsman

At School Wood, Nethybridge, the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust is enabling Highland Council and the insurance multinational, Zurich/Eagle Star, to destroy an ancient woodland site. Zurich requires an affordable housing provider to secure planning permission.

At Carr Bridge, more than 100 houses have been allowed in sensitive Scots pine woodland, thanks to an appeal decision by a Scottish Executive planning reporter. A flawed decision taken despite opposition from the local community and the unanimous view of the Cairngorms National Park Authority and local Highland councillors.

(DR) GUS JONES
Convener, Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group
Nethybridge
Inverness-shire

Protect ancient woodland Fri 6 Jan 2006

At the World Summit on Sustainable Development, in Johannesburg in 2002, the 49 countries of Africa, some of the world's poorest, committed themselves to the elimination of lead in petrol. That goal was achieved at this New Year.

At the same summit, the Scottish Executive, representing one of the world's richest countries, joined with others in stating that it was "committed to the restoration, protection and expansion of native woodlands in the UK as well as to promoting the restoration and protection of forests and their biodiversity globally".

The most valuable of Scotland's native woodlands are its ancient and semi-natural woodlands - areas that have a long history of woodland cover. Yet, since signing its commitment, the Executive has allowed such woods to be sacrificed to development even within our new national parks. Although areas of new native woodland can be (and are being) created, ancient woodland is irreplaceable: once destroyed it is gone forever.

Last year, a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for absolute protection for ancient woodlands received a record number of signatures. This year gives a chance for change, with a review of the Scottish Forestry Strategy and of national planning policy guidelines for natural heritage issues. Let us hope that by next year the Executive will be able to join the countries of Africa in having honoured its world summit commitment.

ROY TURNBULL, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire


Woodland destruction letters in The Scotsman 9th January 2006
Executive has allowed such woods to be sacrificed to development even within our new national parks. Woodland destruction Roy Turnbull (Letters, 9 January) highlights inaction to save native woodland, despite government promises. At School Wood, Nethybridge, the Highland Small Communities Housing Trust is enabling Highland Council and the insurance multinational, Zurich/Eagle Star, to destroy an ancient woodland site. Zurich requires an affordable housing provider to secure planning permission. At Carr Bridge, more than 100 houses have been allowed in sensitive Scots pine woodland, thanks to an appeal decision by a Scottish Executive planning reporter. A flawed decision taken despite opposition from the local community and the unanimous view of the Cairngorms National Park Authority and local Highland councillors. (DR) GUS JONES Convener, Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group Nethybridge Inverness-shire Protect ancient woodland Fri 6 Jan 2006 At the World Summit on Sustainable Development, in Johannesburg in 2002, the 49 countries of Africa, some of the world's poorest, committed themselves to the elimination of lead in petrol. That goal was achieved at this New Year. At the same summit, the Scottish Executive, representing one of the world's richest countries, joined with others in stating that it was "committed to the restoration, protection and expansion of native woodlands in the UK as well as to promoting the restoration and protection of forests and their biodiversity globally". The most valuable of Scotland's native woodlands are its ancient and semi-natural woodlands - areas that have a long history of woodland cover. Yet, since signing its commitment, the Executive has allowed such woods to be sacrificed to development even within our new national parks. Although areas of new native woodland can be (and are being) created, ancient woodland is irreplaceable: once destroyed it is gone forever. Last year, a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for absolute protection for ancient woodlands received a record number of signatures. This year gives a chance for change, with a review of the Scottish Forestry Strategy and of national planning policy guidelines for natural heritage issues. Let us hope that by next year the Executive will be able to join the countries of Africa in having honoured its world summit commitment. ROY TURNBULL, Nethy Bridge, Inverness-shire