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12 May 2003
SNH seen as Barrier to Rural Development
(Filed 12 May 2003)
www.land-care.org.uk
The Dundee Courier carries a column called "Opinion:
a reader's view".
On 12th May this column was headed "Ideal
of vibrant rural economy is being stifled".
Within the column is written the following:
"It is a well-established fact that in the Highlands and
Islands it is Scottish Natural Heritage which most frequently
throws up barriers to rural development."
Elsewhere in the same article it states
"The basic essential for a vibrant rural economy is people,
but in vast swathes of rural Scotland it is the landscape or the
wildlife which takes priority."
"Opportunities for development in the countryside are extremely
limited by planning regulations, which ought to have been subject
to changes in tandem with the recent land reforms."
"It is a fact that countless would-be rural business-men
and women have seen their carefully-costed plans strangled at
birth by some nit-picking jobsworth in the local authority."
"Of those who do launch their own business, too often many
are sunk by high business rates and over-regulation."
"Expansion plans of those rural businesses which are successful
are often put on hold or abandoned because of the high costs of
employment, and, as a result, well-paid jobs in rural areas are
as scarce as hen's teeth."
"The greatest obstacle to a vibrant rural economy is undoubtedly
bureaucracy."
"The hand of bureaucracy is reaching out to bring tourist-related
businesses under state control with new licensing regulations
which will inevitably persuade many owners of rural businesses
to shut up shop."
Here, here to that. Well said.
www.land-care.org.uk
Further Reading Recommended by Land-Care
SNH the victim of political correctness.
(Filed 12 May 2003, www.land-care.org.uk,
click here to view).
Is SNH a Good Land Manager? Duich Moss, Islay.
(Filed 9 May 2003, www.land-care.org.uk,
click here to
view).
Irvine, James (2003). SNH hedghog saga. Update 30th April 2003.
(Filed 30 April 2003, www.land-care.org.uk,
click
here to view).
Irvine, James (2003). Conservation and the misuse of science. Hedgehogs,
Bats and Badgers.
(Filed 15 April 2003, www.land-care.org.uk,
click
here to view).
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