ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND (A.P.R.S.)
OFFICE-BEARERS
Honorary President . . Sir JOHN STIRLING MAXWELL, Bt., K.T.
President . . The Right Hon. The EARL OF GALLOWAY
Vice-President . .
Chairman of Council . .W. FERRIS
Vice-Chairman of Council . .Commander H. C. COURTNEY CLARKE, D.S.O.,
Honorary Secretary. . R.N. Sir FRANK MEARS, P.R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A.
Honorary Treasurer . . Sir MARK DALRYMPLE, Bt.
Organising Secretary. . J. T. MIDDLETON, W.S.
Office: 15 RUTLAND SQUARE, EDINBURGH, 1. Telephone 20396.
ANNUAL REPORT, 1949
The Council has pleasure in submitting the Annual Report of the Association, together with the Statement of Finances for the year ending 31st December, 1948.
Cordial thanks are due to the Office Bearers of the Association for their personal services during the course of the year.
Obituary. The Association sustained a severe loss during the year through the death of the Vice President, Sir Iain Colquhoun, Bt., K.T., D.S.O.
He was one of the original founders of the Association, and until his health precluded him, he gave much of his time, energy and ability to further the interests of the Association notwithstanding his many other activities.
The Council desires to place on record its sincere appreciation of the services which he rendered over a great number of years.
Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947.
As stated in the last report, this Act empowered the establishment of Regulations dealing with many matters with which the Association had long been concerned.
At the last Annual General Meeting, the Chief Architect and Planning Officer of the Department of Health for Scotland emphasised four provisions in this new Act which particularly concerned the Association.
These were:
(a) the production of plans showing” Areas of High Amenity” and special architecture or scenic beauty in which it is thought that special powers of control should be exercised.
(b) The protection of woodlands whether for agriculture or forestry purposes, (e.g. shelter belts) or for amenity.
(c) Powers for the protection of ancient buildings of architectural and historic interest, so that these may be protected from demolition and unsuitable alteration.
(d) Provision for improved control of advertisements particularly in amenity areas of “special control.
He urged that one of the positive steps which the Association could take was to urge Planning Authorities to make full use of the powers conferred upon them.
He believed that these powers would give the Association greater encouragement. During the year under review, the Council has carefully considered the various promised Regulations, and has watched with care the extent to which the Local Authorities were using their powers.
It was considered that it would be best to wait until a period of at least six months had elapsed since the enactment of the Regulations before approaching the Planning Authorities.
Services’ Land Requirements.
The Council has through the year had occasion to consider the requirements of the various services.
It was owing to the views expressed by the Association and other bodies that an enquiry was held into the increased use to be made of Lochs Long, Striven and Goil.
Outwith the period of the report, the decision of the Government was issued, rejecting the views submitted by the Association.
Exception was taken to the proposed use of the Battlefield at Largs, and assisted by local objection the War Department obtained a different site.
National Parks.
Through its representatives on the Scottish Council for National Parks, the Association has continued to urge that legislation on the lines of the report issued by the Departmental Committee should be introduced at an early date.
River Pollution.
As indicated in the last report, the public is becoming more alive to this danger, and through its representatives on the Scottish Rivers’ Protection Council, the Association continues to urge the need for modern legislation to deal with this problem.
Buildings.
The Council has made representation regarding the preservation of buildings in the villages of Airth and Kirk Yetholm, and it is recognised that the reconstruction of these buildings is to a large extent controlled by the available financial resources of the Local Authority.
Representation was also made to the Department of Health for Scotland regarding giving favourable consideration to the use of stone in the construction of new houses, particularly in rural areas.
North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.
The major schemes proposed during the year by this Board were those relating to Glen Moriston and Glen Garry, which were carefully considered by the Council, which was of opinion that having regard to the urgent necessity for the provision of electricity, the proposed schemes would ultimately damage the amenity of the countryside as little as could be expected.
BUSINESS
1. Minute of Annual General Meeting held on 7th October, 1948.
2. Annual Report and Accounts.
3. Election of Office Bearers.
4. Election of Members of Council,
5. Any other competent business.
BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December, 1948
[see pdf file]
ANNUAL MEETING, 1949
Your presence will be welcomed at the Annual Meeting of the Association to be held within the Library of the Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, on Friday, 30th September, 1949, at 11.30 a.m.
The Annual Report of the Association, including a Statement of Finances is printed
overleaf.
FRANK C. MEARS,
Hon. Secretary.