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Sustainable
Aberdeenshire - What do they stand for?
They have agreed that
the basis for opposition to the property development (with golf course) is as
follows:
Inappropriate Development on Designated
Undeveloped Coast & Biodiversity
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The huge hotel, apartment
blocks, and other large buildings are to be built in an area which is
designated as Undeveloped Coast.
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9 holes of the golf course
will be built over a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which means
it is of national importance and is protected under law.
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The dunes system is
constantly moving and very few of these remain in Scotland—the development
will stabilise or fix the dunes in place.
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The development will destroy
the 4000 year old natural dune habitat.
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National policies protecting
biodiversity will be contravened.
Housing
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The residential housing (500
units) should not be considered in this application but should be part of
the Development Plan process which applies to all other developers.
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It is against planning
policy for the sale of housing to be used to finance a business.
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The pressure put on existing
infrastructure such as roads, sewers, schooling and local health facilities,
will be immense.
Environmental Impact
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Road traffic levels will be
significantly increased, adding to further congestion on roads leading into
Aberdeen and adding to carbon emissions and noise pollution.
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The development is expected
to increase air traffic, which will lead to more greenhouse gas emissions
and more noise disturbance at a time when Aberdeenshire Council are
committed to reducing emissions.
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Coastal ‘squeeze’ A large
residential development near the coast will have major implications for
flood defences and coastal protection.
Access is lost
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The loss of a public coastal
recreation area.
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Several walking
routes, including one from the popular Balmedie car park, will be lost. Both
the extensive housing and the golf course will severely limit the public’s
right to enjoy the dunes via responsible outdoor access
Economics Argument is Flawed
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The development
can only be justified on economic grounds of ‘national importance'. The
benefits in terms of jobs have been exaggerated and the economic claims of
the developer have not been independently reviewed.
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