Trump Objection

 

The location of the championship golf course, which is part of Trump International Golf Links Scotland Limited (TIGL) proposed development would result in the destruction of 40% of the Foveran Links Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) which is important nationally for both its biological and geological features.

 

An important element of Foveran Links SSSI is its dynamic nature.The wind blown sand creates new landforms and areas of bare ground which provide opportunities for new plants to colonise. In other areas, vegetation may become completely covered up by the wind blown sand. Thus, the higher and lower plant communities are forever changing. The shifting habitat attracts a variety of different species depending on the conditions. The accompanying animal communities react in a similarly dynamic way.

 

 Foveran Links SSSI has been described as one of the best examples of this type of shifting sand dune system in North Western Europe

 

As the creation of the golf course requires the stabilisation of the dune system, this would effectively ‘freeze’ it in a constant state. Crucially, the dynamic processes that have created Foveran Links SSSI and which are necessary for specialist vegetation communities to thrive, would be lost forever.

 

Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) is strongly opposed to the Trump development and has objected primarily on the grounds that there would be severe and irreversible damage to the Foveran Links SSSI, and surrounding wildlife.

 

Even Trump’s developers have admitted that there would be substantial damage to the flora and fauna of the SSSI.

 

Also of great concern to SWT is the fact that development on such a highly sensitive and protected site would send out completely the wrong message about Scotland’s planning system having the ability to protect the best examples of its natural heritage for both its people and wildlife.

 

Granting planning consent also contravenes the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 which places a duty on every public body and office-holder to further the conservation of biodiversity. The development is also at odds with local and national biodiversity targets, numerous statutory planning policies, and Aberdeenshire Council’s local plan.