Working together to defend Logie Elphinstone
The Logie Elphinstone Community Action Group opposes the progression of the A96 dualling project proposed by Transport Scotland through the historic Logie Elphinstone Estate and its Ancient Woodlands.
The historic Logie Elphinstone Estate covers the land of, and between, the communities of Whiteford, Old Rayne and Durno. This group is made up of landowners, residents, business owners and amenity users who want to see these proposals realigned away from this valuable historic estate and community.
The area has a rich ecology, cultural significance and a network of historic woodland trails which are used by both the local community and those further afield.
What’s at stake?
Here’s a short video made by a local resident.
Why is the A96 being dualled?
Transport Scotland is progressing the programme to upgrade the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness to dual carriageway standard by 2030.
There are multiple reasons why this Group opposes development of the A96 through this historic location. The area has a rich ecology, cultural significance and a network of historic woodland trails which are used by both the local community and those further afield.
The Group’s main objections to the project are as follows:
- The route alignments as proposed will have significant impacts on several areas of Ancient Woodland. This habitat is considered in Scottish planning policy to be an important and irreplaceable national resource that should be protected and enhanced.
- The routes will sever key community recreational routes that are utilised frequently by both local residents and community groups such as the running clubs, cycling clubs, horseriding schools and the local school.
- The habitats within and around the ancient woodlands are known to support many protected species and provide a connected ecological corridor with the Bennachie area.
- The scheduled Durno Temporary Roman Camp (SM4123), sandwiched between the two alignments has significant historic value and potential to extend beyond the current designated boundary. As an example the Historic Environments Scotland details on the designation state “its SE corner is yet to be accurately located”.
- Also significant in this regard is the setting of this designation, Historic Environments Scotland states “The position of the Logie Durno camp on a ridge gives it an extensive view of the surrounding land, obviously an important factor in a defensive site. It also has a clear view towards Bennachie, which is widely believed to be the site of the battle of Mons Graupius, and Logie Durno may represent the Agricolan camp for the battle.” The route alignments either directly intersect this view to Bennachie or compromise the extensive views to the surrounding area.
- The ancient woodlands in this area also present strong evidence of ridge and furrow structures which are likely to be of some significant heritage value as yet unstudied.
- If it was not for the alignment of the existing A96, this area would most likely be included within the Bennachie Special Landscape Area given its clear connection within the views from Bennachie and synergistic landscape features.
- Route alignments now proposed to sever the community were not within earlier proposed option reports and have only come under consideration as other routes have been discounted. This has limited the opportunity for the local community to make clear their concerns regarding the significant impacts of the project.
- The historic estate is covered by a number of access rights embedded within the deeds of properties. The impact of route alignments on these has not been effectively considered and mitigated.
- The extent of cut and fill, particularly within areas of ancient woodland is excessive as are the numbers of structures and extensive highway infrastructure within this historic landscape.