A wildlife group has welcomed news that a rare peatland habitat in central Fife will not be damaged by further extraction.
No peat has been extracted at Mossmorran near Cowdenbeath for more than 20 years, but last November Everris Limited submitted a planning application requesting a 10-year licence to work the 76-hectare site.
RSPB Scotland, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Forestry Commission Scotland and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency all lodged official objections to the application, while Scottish Natural Heritage advised that the proposal contradicted Scottish Planning Policy.
Fife Council refused the application in July but in October the company behind the plans lodged an appeal to Scottish ministers to overturn this decision.
However, it has now been announced that the appeal has been refused by the Reporter.
Claire Smith, RSPB Scotland’s conservation officer for Fife, expressed delight at the news last night.
She said: “We welcome the Reporter’s decision, particularly the recognition that it was contradictory to Scottish Planning Policy on peatlands which includes a presumption to protect and restore this habitat.
“This decision shows how useful it is to have robust national polices that protect Scotland’s environment.
“Peatlands play a huge role in the fight to tackle climate change as well as flood alleviation.”