Aberdeen residents are being urged to come forward in large numbers to oppose plans that could signal the end for an important conservation park.
Around 70 acres of land in the south-east of the city has been earmarked for use as an energy transition zone (ETZ), including the site of Doonies Rare Breeds Farm.
The site, off Coast Road, houses hundreds of animals which could otherwise die out, including two Eriskay ponies, of which there are fewer than 300 left in the UK.
Doonies is the only conservation park in Scotland to be approved by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
It is proposed, however, that the land is instead used for an ETZ, which would focus on developing the low-carbon and renewable sectors.
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A consultation on its boundaries as part of the Aberdeen Local Development Plan is running on the city council website until August 31.
Michele McPartlin, chairwoman of Cove and Altens Community Council, said the group was “horrified” to hear of the proposals.
“Doonies Rare Breeds Farm is not only a popular and well-loved destination for families, nurseries and schools wanting to see the animals but is a working conservation farm,” she said.
“Visiting college and university students studying land economy and agriculture are given valuable insight into this Rare Breed Survival Trust-approved farm, which is an asset to Aberdeen.
“We cannot believe it is under threat by the city itself.
“We urge everyone to contact the Aberdeen Local Development Plan team and their local city councillors to register what they think of the proposal to rezone Doonies Rare Breeds Farm.
St Fittick’s Park in nearby Torry has also been earmarked for use in the energy transition zone.
Kincorth, Nigg and Cove councillor Alex Nicoll, who also heads up the local authority’s SNP group, said: “While we agree with the concept of having an ETZ, we don’t think the locations at Doonies or St Fittick’s Park are correct.
“There are sites in the greater area that would be more than able to accommodate this and mean we wouldn’t have to lose these valuable assets.”
Aberdeen City Council was invited to comment.
History
The looming possibility of an energy transition zone is not the first time Doonies Rare Breeds Farm has been at risk of closure.
Previously run by Aberdeen City Council, the facility fell victim to £27 million budget cuts in 2008, due to its £100,000-a-year running costs.
Rather than shut the farm outright, control was signed over to campaigners who were given six months to prove it could run as a viable business.
Friends of Doonies managed to increase visitor numbers by 50%, but were hit by the global recession and found themselves “credit-crunched” due to a lack of financial backers.
In February 2010, farm manager Graham Lennox – who has lived there with his family since 1994 –announced it was being passed on to him and would be run as a commercial venture.
Doonies Farm has continued to operate ever since, looking after rare breeds and welcoming thousands of animal lovers every year.
