"Wildlife tourism plays a vital part in Scotland's rural economy, pulling in millions of pounds and also creating many hundreds of job opportunities.
These findings were contained in a Scottish Government report - 'The Economic Impact of Wildlife Tourism in Scotland' - published today. The report found that wildlife tourism annually brings in a net economic impact of £65 million to Scotland's economy and creates the equivalent of 2,760 full time jobs."
For the full item on the Scottish Government web site and the report itself click here and here
Tell that to those who support the installation of wind farms in some of the most important wild places and wildlife habitats in the Highlands!
ReplyDeleteI heartily agree with the above comment. The desecration of our wild places by these abominations is nothing short of scandalous.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the Highland Council have used existing planning powers to ask that an unauthorised hill track be restored to natural habitat. The hill track lies at the foot of Foinaven and because it is in a National Scenic Area it did require planning permission. The Mountaineering Council of Scotland said it would have preferred the Council to prosecute, stating, “we think there needs to be prosecutions to get land managers to take more notice of the very few restrictions there currently are on hill tracks.”
So, it appears that the Highland Council can get it right sometimes, they just need to re-think their policy on wind farms...
I have received another comment re
ReplyDelete"Plans for a massive luxury resort at Dall on the shores of Loch Rannoch have been turned down by Perth and Kinross Council..."
Would be able to publish only after removal of wery last sentence.
Another victory against those who would desecrate our countryside:
ReplyDelete"Plans for a massive luxury resort at Dall on the shores of Loch Rannoch have been turned down by Perth and Kinross Council.
The development, which was to have been for private members only, would have consisted of two 18 hole golf courses, a luxury hotel and shopping complex and houses, as well as a five storey, fake broch emerging from the Loch itself. The proposals were said to be costed at £1.3 billion, with estimates that members would pay an average of £14,000 for a night’s stay and a yearly £2 million membership fee.
Perth and Kinross Council voted overwhelmingly to refuse outline planning permission during a meeting of the full council on Wednesday 16 June. 21 councillors voted to refuse permission for the development, while three voted for a deferral.
Planning officials said the resort would be against national policy and guidance, including on conservation. The plans had been opposed by conservation organisations including Scottish Natural Heritage, the RSPB, and the Woodland Trust as well as locals. Developers Dall Estate and M James Developments had said the proposals would create hundreds of new jobs for the area if approved."
So it seems that Councils can get it right. However, what's the betting that a development of this nature would have been rubber-stamped if the Planning Application had been placed before the Highland Council for approval. On their past record, I would suggest that this would have been given the green light without a second thought.
Thank you for amending.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that you should have so little confidence in our local authority.