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Objection to 4X4 centre in Pentlands

Friday 26th January 2018, 12:01pm



Mountaineering Scotland has objected to a proposal for an outdoor activity centre, with archery and 4x4 driving, within the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

An application has been submitted for a change of use from agricultural land to outdoor activity centre; formation of car parking and siting of three containers and two portaloos, at Spittal Farm, Penicuik.

The site is between the A702 road out of Edinburgh and the hills, near the hamlet of Nine Mile Burn.

Objecting to the proposal, David Gibson, Mountaineering Scotland Chief Executive Officer, said that the Pentland Hills serve an important function to those in Edinburgh and wider afield and the Pentland Hills Regional Park was established in recognition of that fact.

He said the proposals would take away from the essential character of the hills as a place for the peaceful enjoyment of the countryside, and added that the habitat would be neither protected nor enhanced. It also failed to encourage responsible public enjoyment of the hills.

David said: “The activities proposed will be noticeable, intrusive and damaging, both from a noise and visual aspect. It is also indicative of a low grade development, done on the cheap, where little attention has been paid to any mitigation.

“The proposed development could be set up anywhere whereas the Pentland Hills provide specific opportunities for visitors which cannot fully be provided elsewhere.”

View the full text of Mountaineering Scotland’s objection.

Crown copyright 2018 Ordnance Survey. Media 048/18.