IS THIS FAIR PLAY?

From: Newsletter of the Friends of Hermitage of Braid & Blackford Hill - ISSN 1470-9945 Volume 1, Issue 2 Autumn 2000

New Golf Course Proposal at Braid Hills Drive

The Friends are very concerned about a proposed golf course development in the fields between the Lang Linn and Howe Dean paths immediately adjacent to the Hermitage of Braid, north of Braid Hills Drive (Planning Application 00/926), due to go before the City Council Planning Committee shortly. We see this as an extremely serious threat to the well being of the reserve, the surrounding green spaces and the diversity of wildlife which depends on both.

We feel that the fields are of crucial importance to the Hermitage, given their proximity and downward-sloping terrain (towards the Braid Burn) and the fact that they immediately border a sizeable section of the southern boundary of the reserve. We also know from regular observations by Friends' members that local wildlife uses the fields for habitation, foraging, feeding, hunting and breeding purposes. These are among many reasons that we view with grave concern the current proposal to develop a golf course with accompanying clubhouse and car park on these fields.

If this proposal were to go through, we would be extremely concerned at the likely negative impact on the reserve, in particular the Braid Burn watercourse and the wildlife in the area. The golf course would cause loss of suitable habitat and problems with pollution caused by chemical run off from fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides used for course maintenance purposes. We all saw the flooding, due to rainwater run off, which affected the main path during heavy rains in May this year. The impact of such events on the area in question, especially if harmful pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers are being used on a steep slope immediately above the burn and reserve, can be clearly imagined.

At a meeting organised by the Friends on April 4th 2000, chaired by Robin Harper MSP and attended by around 80 local people, serious reservations were expressed by many of those who attended concerning the desirability of the proposed development. Scientists from the Scottish Agricultural College, contracted by the developer, conceded that they could not rule out pollution of the Braid Burn from the development, despite its current protected status. Additionally, the fields, as well as being designated Green Belt and Area of Great Landscape Value, also carry Urban Wildlife Site designation in the South East Edinburgh Local Plan.

This last designation is crucial in this respect, as it affords extra protection to the wildlife of the site. As well as the wildlife reasons given above, the area has RIGS (Regionally Important Geological Site) status, denoting considerable geological interest. The South East Edinburgh Local Plan, produced by the City of Edinburgh Council, mentions in the last sentence of section 3.33 the need for 'the safeguarding from development of land adjacent to watercourses in line with Urban Wildlife site boundaries'. Any approval granted to such a proposal would surely contravene both the letter and spirit of this goal.

We feel strongly that the proposed development is not in keeping with the above designations. In addition to negatively impacting the Braid Burn, it would have the same effect on the diverse range of flora, fauna, landscapes and habitats contained within the fields and the rest of the reserve itself. Indeed, we believe that a number of key species identified in the recently-launched Edinburgh Biodiversity Action Plan including Skylark, Yellowhammer, Grey Partridge, Kingfisher, Otter, Hedgehog, Floating Water Crowfoot and many invertebrates would be adversely affected by this development.

In addition to writing to the landowner in an attempt to buy or lease the fields for conservation purposes (see below), we have already written formally to the Director of Planning at the City of Edinburgh Council to detail our objections to the proposed development. As part of a committed and energetic campaign against the proposal we have also written (and urged others to do likewise) to local councillors, particularly Councillor Lindsay Walls, representing South Morningside and member of the Council Planning Committee. We have also written to the local press and relevant organisations such as Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Wildlife Trust and RSPB amongst others to lobby for support and raise awareness of the issues involved.

The Friends' Management Committee have set up our own Scientific Advisory Sub-Committee who will carefully scrutinise the results of the official Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) when it is made publicly available. We are concerned that the EIA may not be wholly impartial, as it is being carried out by 'Greens of Scotland', the 'business unit' of the Scottish Agricultural College (according to the SAC web site), who we understand have a consumer contractor relationship with the developer. We also recently produced hundreds of flyers and handed them out to people around the Hermitage. The response was virtually unanimous opposition to the golf course idea, with many 'Not another one, surely?' observations. Concerns were also expressed that the golf course could represent the thin end of the development wedge - whereby it paves the way for other developments, such as houses and flats on more greenbelt and protected land.

Furthermore, there is a much more environmentally sound, sustainable and locally supported alternative to the golf course. The Friends have made enquiries into the possibility of leasing or buying the fields, between the Lang Linn and Howe Dean paths, which are owned by Mr Linsee Gordon. If successful, the Friends could provide model environmental stewardship of the site in keeping with our founding objectives. We would aim to manage the resource for the optimum benefit of the diverse wildlife which both inhabits the fields and uses them for breeding and foraging, and for people who wish to enjoy responsible access to the area for activities such as strolling, dog walking, jogging and observing wildlife. In doing so we would be protecting the fragile ecosystem which makes up the Hermitage of Braid Local Nature Reserve from potential irreparable damage from unsympathetic and unsustainable development on its doorstep.

When the late John McDougal gifted the Hermitage of Braid to the city of Edinburgh in 1938, he specified that it was to be "a public park or recreation ground for the benefit of the citizens of Edinburgh." Times have changed, notably in the level of importance we accord other living species. However, we feel the time may be right for a similarly noble and public-spirited gesture on the part of the present landowner for a new century and millennium in this great city with all its cherished biodiversity.

To join the campaign against this proposed new golf course development, you can:
* Write or phone your local councillor Address: The City of Edinburgh Council, City Chambers, High St., Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ. General Enquiries about Councillors: (0131) 529 3186/7
* Encourage friends and residents in the area to protest also. Encourage them to join the Friends.
* Write to the newspapers
* The development proposal will be open for comment soon. When it is announced, you can send comments directly to Director of Planning, 1 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh EH 1. General Enquiries: (0131) 529 3596