Objection to proposed School Wood housing development, Cairngorms National Park

Planning application 2013/0119/DET - proposed construction of 58 houses at School Wood, Nethy Bridge

On behalf of The Scottish Wild Land Group, a Scottish Charity number SC004014, I am writing to OBJECT to the planning application for 58 houses and associated infrastructure at School Wood in Nethy Bridge.

This is an inappropriate location for so many new houses and will involve the destruction of Ancient Woodland, as well as irreversible damage to the natural habitats of many key species of the Cairngorms. These areas of forest are precious and scarce in the Cairngorms, and need to be preserved and enlarged, not sacrificed for housing, which should be erected on brown field sites, in smaller developments, and in less sensitive locations.

Trying to squeeze as many as 58 houses into the site will involve major disruption to the wildlife from the presence of so many inhabitants and their pets, particularly to species such as red squirrels and capercaillie, the iconic species of the Cairngorms which are in need of support. It will contribute substantially to a continued loss of wildness in the Cairngorms area, which is one of its principal attractions.

Such damage, once incurrred, is irreversible. Our children and future generations will lose if this development is allowed. The precautionary principle should apply to prevent it.

The proposal is completely inconsistent with the CNPA's legal obligation to "conserve and enhance the natural .. heritage .. of the [Cairngorms] area", (S1(a) National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000), and the Scottish Wild Land Group urges the CNPA to reject the application.