Craiglich Woodland, Deeside

Development of a Hard Rock Quarry and Recycling Facility

NEMT response to Aberdeenshire Council (January 2003)

Director of Planning and Development
Eric Melrose
Viewmount, Arduthie Road
Stonehaven AB39 2QD

Dear Sir,

The Trust represents about 18,000 people through individual membership or by association with clubs and organisations. I am writing to indicate our opposition to the proposed Quarry at Craiglich Woodland, which we consider inappropriate for a number of reasons.

To start with, this is in an Area of Local Landscape Significance AS/LV3(i) and the proposed development appears to fly in the face of the Aberdeenshire Local Plans 1998 Parish Statements - Landscape and the Countryside, viz.

• Coull - "…..any development which could significantly detract from the foreground of the Queens View (the indicator stone sited on the B9119) would not be permitted as detailed in Policy AS/LV3(i)"
• Tarland - "The whole of Tarland lies within the Outer Countryside and is recognised as an area of Regional Landscape Significance.

Spectacular views across the Howe of Cromar to Lochnagar are gained from Queens View, and Policy AS/LV3(i) applies here to protect the immediate open landscape from development."

The Trust is primarily concerned and has little doubt that the development will impose serious recreational restrictions on the area. We are also concerned, however, that it

• will spoil the quality or character of the area
• fails to comply with the Local Plan
• has serious implications for road safety and traffic management with increased noise and smell nuisance
• will have a significant visual impact.
• will have a serious environmental impact
• and will impact on local wildlife

Yours sincerely,

Alistair Munro Beeley
General/Membership Secretary
North East Mountain Trust

cc. Councillors Peter J Argyle, Doreen Ewing, James M Marcus Humphrey & Bruce J Luffman.

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