A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) has been damaged following work at an illegal Travellers’ site on the Mearns/Angus border, a report has claimed.
Spoil and earth discarded from the development of a permanent caravan park near St Cyrus Nature Reserve has been dumped inside an SSSI adjacent to the site, according to Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Marina Taylor, operations officer for SNH Tayside and Grampian, made the claim in the organisation’s response to a second retrospective planning application for work at the development.
The revelations come as court proceedings regarding an alleged breach of interim interdict placed on the site and linked to the first application for the permanent stances are set to continue at Stonehaven Sheriff Court.
Ms Taylor said: “Spoil and earth excavated as part of the associated development of the caravan park have been discarded inside the SSSI boundary, covering areas of botanical importance.”
SNH did not object in its response to the initial application for the park, submitted by James McCaullm after work started last year.
However, in its reply to the second application for toilet facilities and a pump station, submitted by William Docherty, the organisation advises action must be taken by the council to avoid “further damage or deterioration to the SSSI”.
Ms Taylor wrote: “The basis for our appraisal of the potential impacts of this proposal is our understanding that no development will occur within the SSSI boundary.
“We understand that from Aberdeenshire Council the development will be confined to the footprint shown on the plan and that this will not encroach into the SSSI boundary.
“In our view, however, the plans as submitted are not sufficiently detailed to allow a conclusive judgment regarding whether or not the boundary of the proposed development area encroaches upon the adjacent SSSI.
“In addition to the damage to the botanical interest of the site, the presence of the spoil bund between the proposed development site and the SSSI could lead to misinterpretation of the site boundary as designated on the ground resulting in further damage to the site should works at the site be allowed to continue.”
The response advises that if Aberdeenshire Council approves the plans, the applicant should be required to meet with SNH officers and agree several caveats before continuing work.
These include agreement of the development boundary to that of the SSSI, restoration of the original boundary prior to any further work, agreement and implementation of a restoration plan for habitats affected by the dumping of the spoil within the SSSI, including removal of the spoil or its retention and management as neutral grassland.
The case between Aberdeenshire Council and James McCallum is on the list of hearings, but it is understood Mr McCallum will not be required to appear as it is a procedural hearing.