2017 feb talk Clare Symonds poster

Planning Matters in Scotland
Talk by Clare Symonds
Chair of Planning Democracy
Saturday 11 February
Talla na Ros, King St, Kingussie 4-6 pm

All welcome - Admission Free - Refreshments

site of a proposed new town in the cairngorms National Park bscg

Land at An Camas Mor in Strathspey  controversially proposed for 1,500 houses

BSCG and co-appellants have halted the legal challenge to the Cairngorms national Park’s 1st Local Plan. This is because the Supreme Court refused to cap the costs that we would have paid to the CNPA should our case fail. Regrettably we have been forced into this position before our case about the correct interpretation of European law could be heard by the court. In pursuing the case that started in 2010 we have adhered to the proper processes following professional legal advice. Our case would have never been taken had the CNPA followed more closely the findings of the 2009 local inquiry into the plan. Our costs have been met entirely through donations and we are very grateful to all those without whose support the legal challenge would have been impossible.

We are still working to oppose the proposed new town of An Camas Mor and other large scale developments in the Cairngorms National Park, which we believe would threaten the natural heritage which the park was set up to protect.

Gus Jones, Convener of the Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group said, “The reason for our challenge terminating at this stage is because the Supreme Court refused to limit our liability to the CNPA’s legal costs. No charity could proceed on the basis of unknown costs.
The incredible level of public support we have received demonstrates the deep and far-reaching public concern that exists about the Park Authority’s unsustainable and developer-driven approach to planning taken in their Local Plan, which threatens the natural heritage that the Park was set up to protect.”

Ian Lawson, founding Convener and long serving Director of the Cairngorms Campaign and former member of the Cairngorms Partnership commented, “That we have been able to take this case so far is testimony to the ground swell of support for what we were trying to do. Many people feel outraged about excessive development in the National Park that includes an entire new town.
We have been following due process and we are disappointed that we have not been able to get the clarification of the law that we were seeking. We hope this case will lead to tighter scrutiny of future Park Plans. We give every one of our supporters our heartfelt thanks for their generous help.”

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BSCG is looking forward to welcoming the candidates for the May Westminster election at a public meeting on Friday 3rd April 2015 in Aviemore Community Centre, 7pm – 9pm.

Make the most of this opportunity to raise the questions that matter on the environment with all the general election candidates.

Admission is free and donations welcome.

The event is kindly being chaired by Bill Sadler, Coordinator of the Grantown 250 celebrations.

Candidates for the marginal and hotly contested Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey seat include:

  • Standing MP Danny Alexander (Liberal Democrat)
  • Drew Hendry (SNP)
  • Mike Robb (Labour)
  • Isla O’Reilly (Scottish Green Party)
  • Edward Mountain (Conservative)
  • Les Durance (UKIP).

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Our leaflet on Damselflies of Badenoch and Strathspey.

Article in P & J on 4th November 2013.

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Open Public Meeting. 

Illustrated Talk by Hayley Wiswell.

Old Kirk, Nethybridge
By Castle Roy
Wednesday 10 July 8.00pm

All welcome
Free ~ donations welcome
Further informatin telephone: 01479 821491