Environmental Impact Assessment Woefully Inadequate
Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route will destroy Scotland’s Natural Heritage
The evidence which the Woodland Trust Scotland will give today at the public inquiry into the Aberdeen Western Peripheral route will demonstrate the inadequacy of the environmental impact assessment.
If the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route gets the green light, 15 woods on the ancient woodland inventory will be lost or damaged. Ancient woods are our richest, most important sites for a vast range of insects, birds, animals, flowers and trees and are home to more threatened species than any other UK habitat. Ancient woodlands are one of the glories of our natural heritage; they are places of inordinate beauty, reservoirs of evidence for environmental change, archaeology and economic history. We simply cannot afford to lose them, and new planting can in no way compensate for their loss.
The Trust will testify that these woods, have been undervalued by the environmental statement, and will be effectively destroyed and others will be seriously damaged, whilst demonstrating their importance. The Trust will also cover the widespread under-assessment of the ecological impact of the proposed route.
The Trust will demonstrate that the mitigation plans are substandard. Transport Scotland approach is simplistic, their plans to reduce the negative effects of ancient woodland loss focuses on woodland creation through planting and natural regeneration. This proposal is flawed - ancient woodland by definition is irreplaceable and it is not possible to mitigate for the loss of ancient woodland in any way.
Andrew Fairbairn, Development Manager said “Our evidence will demonstrate Transport Scotland’s complete disregard for the environment in choosing this route. There has been an assumption that offset mitigation is an appropriate alternative to avoidance of damage and loss. The government and planning authorities have a duty to protect trees, and areas of woodland where they have natural heritage value. We call on the government to prove their green credentials by listening to the evidence put before them and stop the destruction of the Aberdeen landscape. Do they want their legacy to be the destruction of our natural heritage?”
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Notes to editors
For media enquiries contact: Jacqui Morris on 01355 578777 or mobile 07979 706675 or The Woodland Trust Press Office on 01476 581121, e-mail media@woodlandtrust.org.uk
The Woodland Trust: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. It has 300,000 members and supporters. The Trust has four key aims: i) No further loss of ancient woodland; ii) Restoring and improving the biodiversity of woods; iii) Increasing new native woodland; iv) Increasing people’s understanding and enjoyment of woodland.
Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 20,000 hectares (50,000 acres).
In 1984, the Trust acquired its first wood in Scotland. Today the Trust owns 80 sites across Scotland covering 8,500 hectares. Further news can be accessed via www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
