Amenities

Under the Park's development plans almost every single inch of available space within Callander's boundaries will soon be built on. This will cost us all dearly because most of us cherish the open spaces and green fields we see every day. The Teith will no longer be visible from the Mollands Road, The Gart camping site will be bursting with a staggering 174 new homes, the walk along the river, that so many of us take, will be overshadowed by houses on both banks. It will be as though we are living in a city suburb, not one of the most beautiful towns in the British Isles.

Risk to wildlife

The Teith is designated as a Natura 2000 site and is a Special Area of Conservation. At present, the environmental integrity of the river is protected, to a greater extent, by the relatively low levels of development along its banks. Because of this we can enjoy fishing for salmon and trout, watching the water bird population (including our very rare Barrow's Golden Eye), and generally enjoying the simple pleasure of watching the river flow by. These simple pleasures are in danger of being taken away from us becase of the threat of pollution to the waters of the Teith.

In its risk assessment of the designated development sites most at risk from flooding, the NPA has made provision for SUDs (sustainable urban drainage systems) to attempt to mitigate the effects of the many roads and individual driveways might have on run-off waters into the Teith. However there is no mention or provision made within the assesment for the impact on the river from the pesticide and fertilizer run-off from as many as 300 extra gardens. It cannot be emphasised enough just how devastating this oversight could be.

Callander's CO₂ footprint

Another key environmental issue is Callander's carbon footprint. Scotland is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050, with an interim target reduction of 42% by 2020. Callander Community Development Trust's Callander Climate Change is doing tremendous work in the town to help homeowners improve their energy efficiency, and almost everybody does their bit to reduce the town's consumption and waste. (CO₂ is only one of several greenhouse gases, methane and water vapour being two of the others.)

But if the Park adds 327 dwellings into the equation - increasing the number of households in Callander by almost a third – the town's carbon footprint will inevitably go up, not down. Add to that the fact that most of the adult residents of those new households will have to commute elsewhere by car to work (if there is any) because public transport is so patchy, then the Local Plan's proposals for residential development in Callander are really bad news for the town's environmental sustainability.

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Remember those statutory Aims under the National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000:

1.) To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area;

2.) To promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area;

3.) To promote understanding and enjoyment (incuding enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public, and

4.) To promote sustainable economic and social development of the area's communities.

And the Sandford Principle – that whenever there's a conflict between the first Aim and any of the others then the first one – "To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area" – must be given greater weight.

And the Precautionary Principle: "Where the effects of the development proposal could potentially result in significant damage, or loss to, the special qualities of the Park, but where there is uncertainty or a lack of knowledge over the nature of the likely impacts, the Precautionary Principle will apply and such development will be restricted."

In our opinion, against these measures the Local Plan for Callander fails on every count.