Rope bridges for red squirrels and road warning signs are to be put in place to protect the rare species after a new five star country club was approved for land close to their new thriving habitat in Aberdeen.
The luxury venue and equestrian centre on green belt land close to Hazlehead Park was approved in principle by councillors at a full council meeting earlier this week.
But conservationists who have spent the last six years increasing the number of red squirrels in Aberdeen say they are “disappointed” that the development has been approved close to a “reservoir” of the native mammals.
Developers have proposed rope bridges to help the squirrels cross the roads within the park perimeter to keep them clear of the increased traffic on the routes.
Limits on tree removal – to retain the natural canopy used by squirrels to move around – and speed restrictions have also been proposed.
But Stephen Willis, north east project officer for Save Scotland’s Red Squirrels, said he was “disappointed” that the development had won the backing of councillors given the success of the project in bringing red squirrels back to Aberdeen.
He added: “We are disappointed that the development is going ahead. There is no other single site that we have put more work in to increase the red squirrel population and seen more benefit.
“It’s the green belt of the city and it is a key area where we have seen great progress.”
He said that “every piece of woodland” in the park was now occupied by red squirrels but added that actual numbers were hard to record.
He said he was keen to work with the developer on creating the best ways to protect the population and said there was little evidence that the work proposed would have any great effect.
“The key issue is that there will be a major difference to traffic going right through the park, particularly Den Wood
“All the roads there at the moment have natural crossings available in the trees, but if the roads are widened there will be less canopy crossings. The squirrels will have to cross on the ground.”
Further traffic assessments will be carried out to determine what changes will be made to roads in the area.
He added: “Rope bridges are used by red squirrels but it is now something that is used habitually. They will use them occasionally.
“There has not been any scientific research to show that rope bridges do reduce mortality.
“Signage does not make any difference to driver behaviour. You either have to change the squirrel’s behaviour or human’s behaviour. Neither is easy.”
Last year, Mr Willis took the RSPB Species Champion Award for The Return of Aberdeen’s Red Squirrels project.
Dr Margaret Bochel, head of planning at Aberdeen City Council, told councillors at full council on Wednesday that developers had reduced tree felling in their plans in order to protect the squirrels.
She said: “There is a series of things that the developer is doing to help the squirrels.”
Developer Alan Massie said: “comment to come”