Thousands paid but case unheard

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Written by Gus Jones

Category: Press Releases

Published: 05 August 2015

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.”

BSCG at Grantown 250 Anniversary Celebrations

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Written by Gus Jones

Category: Grantown-upon-Spey

Published: 21 July 2015

BSCG was delighted to be involved with the Grantown 250 anniversary celebrations of June 2015. ‘Food from Flowers’ and protecting ‘Precious Pollinators’ were themes of our display in the food tent and later in the week at the Figgat Fair day we focussed on 'Grantown’s Wildlife Gems'. Honeybee combs at different stages of development provided part of our exhibit which attracted plenty of interest. We also had a display on other pollinators including little scabious mining bee, one of the special bees of the Mossie and an outstanding wildlife area at Grantown-on-Spey.

Leading Conservationist speaks out on deer management

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Written by Gus Jones

Category: Debates

Published: 20 April 2015

Dick Balharry who attended the very first meeting of BSCG in 1975 deserves warm congratulations for the award of the prestigious Patrick Geddes medal for his outstanding contribution to conservation.

Presenting the award at a ceremony at Glen Feshie the Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society described Dick as “a relentless and passionate advocate for improving and protecting Scotland's natural landscapes" who "has influenced, advised, inspired and encouraged so many people and organisations".

The Sunday Herald (19 April 2015) reports on the award and mentions that Dr Adam Watson who spoke at BSCG’s inaugural meeting recalled vital work in Wester Ross undertaken by Dick on the poisoning of golden eagles that contributed to the banning of some persistent organochlorines pesticides in the 1970’s and 1980’s. BSCG members will also recall Dick’s important contribution to the establishment of Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve.

Referring to his speech the paper reports that Dick Balharry criticised landowners for erecting fences to protect native woodlands from marauding deer and commented this damaged the landscape, inhibited public access and deprived deer of shelter. The report is followed by an editorial headed 'Cairngorms talk highlights need for land reform'. This echos Dick’s views and comments "What's now crucial is that ministers introduce measures that oblige landowners to manage their estates for the public, good, rather than private gain."

See the article here: http://www.robedwards.com/2015/04/landowners-under-fire-for-selfish-greed-from-leading-conservationist.html

Environmental Hustings: Friday 3rd April 7pm in Aviemore

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Written by Gus Jones

Category: Meetings

Published: 26 March 2015

Photo: 16 April 2010 Environmental Hustings.

Come along to Aviemore Community Centre on Friday 3rd April 7.00 – 9.00 pm to meet the candidates for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey and put your questions on the environment to them.

All 7 candidates competing for the seat held by Danny Alexander have been invited to the environmental hustings organised by the Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group.

Everyone is welcome to attend. Admission is free with donations welcome.

BSCG is hosting this environmental hustings in Aviemore to enable the public to put their questions on any aspect of the environment to prospective candidates in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch & Strathspey seat for the Westminster General Election on 7th May. This seat is currently held by Lib Dem Danny Alexander.

Candidates:

Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander 
Scottish Christian Donald Boyd 
UKIP Arthur Durance 
SNP Drew Hendry 
Conservative Edward Mountain 
Scottish Green Isla O'Reilly 
Labour Mike Robb

We are most grateful to Bill Sadler, Coordinator of the Grantown 250 Anniversary celebrations, who will be chairing the meeting.
We anticipate this will be a valuable opportunity to find out more about how different candidates stand on caring for our environment.

The Scottish Environment LINK's 'Manifesto for the Westminster General Election 2015' has been prepared for use by all political parties and candidates seeking election to the House of Commons in May 2015. BSCG is a member of Scottish Environment LINK which is an umbrella body for environmental groups across Scotland.

We are also following all the candidates that have twitters on our BSCG twitter.

Location: Aviemore Community Centre, Muirton, Aviemore, PH22 1SF.

GE2015 Candidate Statement - Drew Hendry SNP

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Written by Gus Jones

Category: Debates

Published: 03 April 2015

I first came to the Highlands as an 8 year-old boy on holiday and even then I knew that this was where I wanted to live. My wife Jackie and I moved with our kids to the Highlands many years ago. We uprooted our business and moved that here as well. This region is one of the most beautiful places in the world and we love living here.
 
It’s pleasing to say that I fulfilled that boyhood ambition when I moved here many years ago with my wife Jackie and our kids, uprooting our business and replanting it here, in the Highlands.

Serving my ward, Aird and Loch Ness, which is in this constituency, along with my work on the Cairngorms National Park Authority, has ensured I am constantly reminded of what is exceptional about where we work and live.

Most days I get to walk to work as the Leader of the Highland Council, crossing the bridge over the lovely River Ness on the way. My kids can walk to school, even when it’s raining. My ward of Aird and Loch Ness, which is the equivalent size of Luxembourg, has many wonderful sights to see as I crisscross it, visiting constituents and communities.
 
The reason I’m telling you all of this because the environment is very important to me. I think it is to everyone living in the Highlands. In my experience, most of us feel lucky to be living here. So the local environment and our wider responsibilities for the planet must be seen as a priority for us all.
 
I am grateful to be invited to the hustings organised by the Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group and thank them for this opportunity to focus on the environment. I like the view that we have two ears and one mouth, and we should use them in the same proportion. So I will be pleased to talk about my campaign policies, the Scottish Government’s progress on the environment, and my own initiatives, but I will be listening at the hustings and hoping to hear from the people how we can do more at all levels of government.
 
Of course, I will also be keen to discuss the Scottish Environment LINK’s Manifesto for the Westminster General Election.
 
It is important to say though, that I certainly believe politicians can and must do more on the environment. My Carbon Clever programme for example, which I initiated at Highland Council, focuses on the economy, energy, land use and resources, transport and engagement strategy. It is a growing success and proof that even in these tough times of austerity progressive policies can be delivered.

Follow @Carbon_CLEVER on Twitter for more information. In the meantime I look forward to meeting with all those who will be at the hustings and discussing such a vital campaign issue.
 
Drew Hendry
SNP
@drewhendrySNP
www.facebook.com/DrewHendrySNP2015
That’s why I initiated Carbon Clever