The application from Angle Park sand and gravel company Ltd had been mired in debate over the future of protected red squirrels which live in woodland which would have been felled.
Although the application had been been recommended for approval by council officials, there was opposition from conservation and environmental bodies such as the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. There was also an objection from Ladybank Community Council and significant reservations from Scottish Natural Heritage.
The planning appeal was submitted after the plans for North Annsmuir Wood were turned down by Fife Council's's north-east Fife area committee on a motion from Howe of Fife councillor David MacDiamaid. Now reporter Roger Wilson has dismissed the appeal and has also rejected a request from the applicant for expenses.
During the appeal process Mr Wilson held a special hearing in Cupar concentrating solely on the red squirrel issue.
The extraction would have been carried out in eight phases over six-and-a-half years and it was stated that it would safeguard jobs and help meet demand for sand and gravel.
In his decision letter Mr Wilson said the balance of evidence suggests an immediate and adverse impact on the red squirrels through the disturbance of their dreys and displacement to other areas where there may be competition for suitable food. The applicants suggested that the impact would be temporary but he felt there is too much uncertainty to place significant reliance on this.
The reporter said that North Annsmuir Wood contains habitat and species of national importance and the development would have an adverse impact on this site's heritage interest.
He said he had to consider the 60% woodland clearance but also the economic and social benefits from the extraction work.
"However, there was very little evidence about the business need for the proposal on this specific site or the employment opportunities that would be lost if the development were not to go ahead," Mr Wilson said. "A balance must be struck.
"While there would be some employment benefits and the proposal would help to meet the demand for sand and gravel, these would be measured locally. However, given the potential harm to a protected species, I am not satisfied that these factors significantly outweigh the natural heritage value of the site."
Mr Wilson added that the removal of a large section of woodland habitat would not comply with local plan policy and the underlying emphasis of Scottish planning policy is the protection of species noted in the Wildlife and countryside act.
"Given the adverse impact in the short term and the indeterminate long-term effects, I am not satisfied that this proposal meets this policy's terms," he said.
The reporter also said that, apart from being a red squirrel habitat, North Annsmuir Wood is valued for its general and recreational amenity.
Councillor MacDiarmid says he is delighted for the many people who had campaigned over the years to save the North Annsmuir squirrels. These people are not anti-quarrying or anti-development but "enough is enough" when there is a threat to an indigenous species.
"I campaigned to save these beautiful creatures because I thought it was just and right," he said.
For more information on the Scottish Wildlife Trust's campaign to save our red squirrels visit the website.
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Dave_S.
The Courier
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