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 . . W. WALKER, A.R.E.
Chairman of Council . . W. FERRIS
Vice-Chairman of Council . . Commander H. C. COURTNEY CLARKE. D.S.O., R.N.
Honorary Secretary . . Sir FRANK MEARS, 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, FOUntainbridge 7631
ANNUAL REPORT, 1950
INTRODUCTION
By WILLIAM FERRIS, Chairman of Council
Voluntary organisations are still a very necessary part of our social system despite the increasing responsibilities of both local and central government. In many ways, they assist the authorities and add to the well-being of the community. They are generally referred to by initial letters like W.V.S., R.S.P.C., S.Y.H.A., Y.M.C.A., etc., when recommended for a job of work in which they are experts.
Although the A.P.R.S. was founded in 1927, the very nature of their work as “back room boys” seldom reaches the public eye. Nevertheless many Scottish communities have had good reason to bless the work of the Association in preserving the beauties of the countryside from despoliation. This earnest endeavour to temper industrial progress with amenity has drawn most of the professional and out-of-door societies into the Association and not a few private individuals who gladly give their time and professional guidance to the work. They set up a Council which meets monthly to discuss correspondence and reports from the various expert committees sitting on such subjects as River Pollution, Outdoor Advertising, Amenity, Woodlands, etc., etc., and to debate upon advisory procedure. With selected authorities on such subjects delegated to the Council by important societies in Scotland, the Association holds a unique position among voluntary organisations in the country.
The wide representation on the Council inspires co-operation with other organisations, Government Departments, Local Authorities, and with societies with kindred aims and interests.
If you would preserve what is good and beautiful in Rural Scotland, you have the A.P.R.S. as the clearing-house and centre of information and advice upon all matters pertaining to the amenities.
The Association welcomes reports on litter nuisance, ugly advertisements, incongruous architecture, etc., etc. Report early and often.
The expenses of the Association are met from nominal subscriptions received from members and from donations and legacies.
If you would be kept informed of our work and assist, if possible, you are invited to write our Organising Secretary.
Consult the A.P.R.S.
The Council has pleasure in submitting the Annual Report of the Association, together with the Statement of Finances for the year ending 31st December 1949.
Cordial thanks are due to the Office-Bearers of the Association for their personal services during the course of the year.
PRESERVATION OF WOODLANDS
In view of the wide powers given under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1948, for the Preservation and Scheduling of Trees and Woodlands, and of the conflicting problems arising in connection with their preservation, the Rural Amenities Sub-Committee, the Council of the A.P.R.S. decided to convene a meeting of representatives of the Forestry Commission, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and of the Association.
This took place in Edinburgh when the following were present :-Mrs. Mackenzie Anderson, Mrs. Cowan, Mrs. Robertson and Mr. B. N. H. Orphoot representing the Association, Mr. D. McPhail and Mrs. Moira representing the Department of Health for Scotland, Mr. T. B. Manson representing the Department of Agriculture and Mr. J. Forrest, representing Forestry Commission.
The whole question of felling, replanting, and preserving was discussed and the Council considers it desirable to give a brief summary of the whole position.
Before woodlands can be felled, a licence must be obtained from the Forestry Commission, who are allowed to permit the felling of only a fixed annual quota of hard and soft woods, and the Commission takes into account the question of preserving amenity and shelter belts particularly where attention is directed to these aspects.
Local Planning Authorities have powers under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1947, to make Tree Preservation Orders where it is expedient to do so in the interests of amenity. The effect of such Orders is to prohibit felling or other forestry operations except with the consent of the authority.
The making of a Tree Preservation Order does not in itself entail payment of compensation, but compensation may be payable by the Local Authority if it can be shown that damage is suffered or expenditure incurred in consequence of the refusal of a consent asked for under the Order or of a grant of consent subject to conditions. Provision is made by legislation for payment of grants to Local Authorities to help them to meet such com- pensation.
The Order may provide for the replanting of a woodland area in respect of which permission to fell is granted, and where such a provision is made in the Order no compensation is payable in respect of this requirement to replant. A Local Authority could also require the replacement of individual trees or groups of trees as a condition of consent to fell granted under an Order.
Local Authorities might sometimes consider the value of making an Order merely to secure replanting in cases where they could not face the compensation which might be claimed on a refusal to permit felling.
The Department and the Forestry Commission consult with each other on the various aspects of preservation or felling of woodlands which particularly concern each of them.
It was explained that a land-owner could enter into a dedication scheme with the Forestry Commission, under which he undertook to maintain woodlands as such for all time coming, and in return therefore he received technical advice and a grant to assist him in proper afforestation. No dedicated woodlands can be made the subject of a Tree Preservation Order.
Rothiemay Woods, Banffshire
The attention of the Association was drawn to the proposed felling of Rothiemay Woods, which had been sold to a wood merchant for a large sum. The bulk of the timber was of “decorative value only” but was being cut down wholesale by the wood merchant for any value he could get.
The County Council of Banff was approached-also the Regional Planning Officer, but as the districts in question were more than a mile from the village of Rothiemay the Planning Committee-probably because of the difficulties of compensation, offered no objection to the issue of a licence for the wholesale felling of the trees.
Loch Etive Woods
These woods formed a shelter belt in Benderloch and were being handed over for cutting to a wood merchants firm. Owing to the interest taken by three members interested in the locality, with support from the Association, a belt of trees has been retained behind the village.
The Dirleton Woods
It was reported to the Council that the woods round this picturesque village were to be felled. The Council made enquiry from the Council Clerk and was pleased to be informed that he had been aware of the position and had taken the matter up with the owner. Certain timber is being felled in accordance with a working plan for the whole estate under the guidance of a competent Forestry authority. The trees which are felled are passed maturity and the replanting will be carried out almost immediately. The Council is pleased to note of the practical manner in which the problem is being handled, and fully appreciates that it is in the interests of amenity, that trees which reach maturity are cut and the necessary replanting undertaken.
Dunnottar Woods
These woods have been under consideration for some time, and it is believed that negotiations are still proceeding with a view to obtain a Preservation Order.
CONTROL OF ADVERTISING
After a careful study of the powers of control intended to limit disfigurement given by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 1948 the full effect of which comes into operation after August 1951, the Rural Amenities Committee advised the Council of the Association that copies of the SCAPA (Society for Checking the Abuses of Public Advertising) pamphlet should be obtained and sent to all Scottish and County Councils and to as many members throughout Scotland as possible.
This pamphlet which explained very succinctly the powers given to local authorities to deal with unsightly advertisements was most generously supplied by the SCAPA Society and circulated with a covering letter to all local authorities. Particular attention was directed to the powers to designate areas as “areas of special control” i.e. areas of rural or historic beauty in which no advertisement is permitted unless falling within one of the four specific classes and also to the right to challenge, under certain conditions, any advertisement in any part of the country. It was gratifying to the Association to have early replies from three counties, that they had given consideration to these powers and that they invited the Association to consider their proposals. The proposals of Invernessshire and Perthshire if accepted will virtually result in the whole counties being designated areas of special control,” with the exception of certain built-up areas, and the third county proposes to take similar steps to protect one of the proposed National Park Areas. In every case the County Councils assisted the Association by furnishing large-scale maps showing the proposed designated areas.
In view of the importance of establishing a defined policy on the part of the Association on these matters a meeting of the Committee was held at which there were present the Rt. Hon. The Earl of Haddington, Mr. Gordon Home (representing SCAPA) and Mrs. Mackenzie Anderson. The meeting was of opinion that certain recommendations should be made to County and Burgh Councils in regard to areas of amenity or of historic interest. These recommendations referred to six different types of situation :-banks of rivers; entrances to towns; parks and open spaces; places of historic interest (castles, churches, etc.); the vicinity of War Memorials and Mercat Crosses; and lastly any special fine viewpoints. It is believed that many other County Councils are at present undertaking a survey of the advertisements, and the attention of the Council has been drawn to advertisements on certain of the main roads particularly within the vicinity of Edinburgh. Much remains to be done in awakening the interest of the public and certain County Councils to their powers. It is hoped that all members of the Association will use their influence to ensure that every unsightly advertisement is challenged by the County Council and that areas of special control are defined. The Association relies to a large extent for information upon which to take any action upon the watchfulness of its members.
The explanatory Memorandum on the Control of Advertisements Regulations 1948 may be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office, Castle Terrace, Edinburgh (price 3d.).
POLLUTION
At the last Annual Meeting the Rt. Honble Thomas Johnston, P.C., in moving the adoption of the Report, referred to the “Scandalous befoulment, etc.” of many Scottish Rivers, and he urged the Association to do its utmost in combating this evil.
The Council has therefore increased its activities in reminding Local Authorities of their duties and obligations to Scotland as a whole.
Cases taken up include the Clyde and Tweed. In the Tweed watershed, the Council has great pleasure in reporting that Hawick has almost completed a most comprehensive “Sewage Scheme” and heartily congratulates the Burgh. The Scheme, it is understood, will not only take in all mill effluents but the Gas Works effluent as well. If these works come up to expectation the River Teviot, as far down as Jed-foot, may become a really clean river. Unfortunately at that point Jedburgh still pours the greater part of its “Domestic Sewage” untreated into the river in addition to industrial effluent. The Council has been urging Jedburgh to complete its sewage disposal scheme which now only deals with about 25 per cent. of the Burgh.
When Jedburgh has carried out its moral as well as legal obligations the whole of the Teviot should be a credit and no longer a disgrace to the Borders.
Kelso and Melrose have also been approached on the question of their Sewage Disposal which for all practical purposes passes into the River Tweed virtually untreated. The Department of Health for Scotland has also been constantly reminded about the many serious contraventions of the River Pollution Acts of Parliament.
The Council will continue to keep River Pollution constantly in the foreground.
SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
During the period of this report the Association has continued to be consulted by the Department of Health for Scotland upon the various requirements of the Services. It is unfortunate that even at this stage the full requirements of the Service Departments have not been disclosed.
Some forty proposals were submitted during the year for consideration. These in the main related to sites for camps and training grounds a proportion of which were already in the possession of a Service Department. The policy of the Association has always been to recognise the need for the training of the Services but to ensure that there is no increase in the extent to which the rights and pleasures of the public will be restricted. It is fully appreciated that Service use has resulted in a disfigurement of the countryside and to a certain extent a restriction on the liberty of the individual. Accordingly the continued use of a site is preferable to the acquisition of a new site which would result in further disfigurement.
The only public enquiry in which the Association insisted was in regard to the use of the Clyde lochs. The enquiry resulted in the claims of the Service Department being upheld. The procedure at such enquiries was the subject of severe comment by the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates (Mr. John Cameron, D.S.C., K.C.) who appeared on behalf of the Association. At these enquiries the Service Department leads no evidence and the objectors have accordingly no opportunity of cross-examining representatives of the Service Department. The Council strongly agrees with the Dean of Faculty’s criticism that such enquiries are “futile.”
Accordingly during the year the views of the Association were put forward by way of negotiation and on many occasions the views resulted in a modification of the original proposals. The most important project considered was the land requirements in the Firth of Clyde area. The Chairman of Council and Sir Frank Mears had a most satisfactory meeting with the Department of Health, with the result that the requirements were reduced to considerably less than what had previously been held by the Department and an assurance was given that the public would have very reasonable access to the land including all rights of way.
On many occasions the Association had the benefit of the views of the County Planning Officers. It is hoped that at an early date the full Service programme will be completed.
PRESERVATION OF BUILDINGS OF ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORIC IMPORTANCE
A Committee of the Association deals with this matter. Its Chairman, Mr. Ian Lindsay, is responsible to the Secretary of State for listing such buildings for scheduling under the Town and Country Planning Act, 1947.
Scheduling is proceeding as quickly as possible, but day-to-day experience of Planning Authorities shows that mere scheduling will do little towards preservation. Adequate financial backing is necessary, for it is increasingly evident that few owners or Planning Authorities have the money for the upkeep of, nor is the Ministry of Works in a position to take over many buildings worthy of preservation. The Association intends to pursue this matter.
NORTH OF SCOTLAND HYDRO-ELECTRIC BOARD
No new major schemes have been proposed during the period of this Report. The Council has kept close touch with the Board particularly over the flooding of ground used for wintering stock in the Glen Garry area. It has been ascertained that the Board have curtailed the extent of the area to be flooded considerably below the area previously published. The Council will continue particularly in co-operation with the County Agricultural Committees to keep watch on this aspect of Hydro-electric development.
MISCELLANEOUS
Many other matters received the attention of the Council.
Powdermill Road, Roslin.
The attention of the Local Authority was drawn to a litter nuisance and the necessary remedial steps were taken by the authority.
Rural School Buildings.
Representations were made to the Ministry of Works regarding the colour and design of these.
Telephone Kiosks.
The view of the Association regarding the colour of these in rural areas were given to the appropriate authority.
Boathouse Bridge, Kirkliston.
The plans of the proposed alterations were carefully considered and suggestions were made to the Ministry of Transport regarding the lay out of the approaches.
Castle Moil. The faulty state of repair was brought to the attention of the Inspector of Ancient Monuments.
FINANCE
There is appended a Statement of the Accounts for the year ending 31st December 1949 which shows that the income exceeded the expenditure by £94, 15s. 2d. Although this is satisfactory the Council is anxious to be able to deal with every matter affecting the amenity of Rural Scotland and does not desire that the Association’s activities should be restricted by its annual income. Every member is requested to endeavour to increase the membership of the Association.
The Council once more desires to record its appreciation of the use of the rooms of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
JAMES R. ADAM, M.B., Ch.B., Public Health Department, County Rooms, St. Boswells.
J. W. ALEXANDER, M.V.O., Langshaw, Moffat.
Mrs. MACKENZIE ANDERSON, 69 Southpark Avenue, Glasgow W.2.
Mrs. BABINGTON, Woodville, Newtyle, Angus.
J. BARTHOLOMEW, Manor House, Inveresk.
R. MORTIMER BATTEN, Harlington, Skipton, Yorks.
A. BLACK, Wellside, Falkirk.
E. S. BELL, Cranstonhill, Stirling.
Dr. JOHN BERRY, F.R.S.E., 15 Cluny Avenue, Edinburgh, 10. Capt. A. E. BORTHWICK, 8 Merchiston Crescent, Edinburgh, 10. The Rt. Hon. Lord BROCKET, Bramshill, Basingstoke, Hants. Mrs. D. BROWNE, 5 Greenmount Avenue, Burntisland.
Dr. MELVILLE CLARK, 34 Bruntsfield Gardens, Edinburgh, 10.
Mrs. COWAN, Eastfield, Bowden, Melrose.
A. C. CROMER, Scottish Youth Hostels Association, 7 Bruntsfield Crescent, Edinburgh, 10. Lady ANTONIA DALRYMPLE, Newhailes, Musselburgh, Midlothian.
J. W. DEIGHTON, County Road, Surveyor, 32 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, 12.
A. C. DODDS, R.S.W., 4 Albert Terrace, Edinburgh, 10.
C. H. DODDS, 1 Albyn Place, Edinburgh, 2.
Miss E. J. GEDDES, 29 Drumbrae North, Barnton, Midlothian.
A. E. GORDON, A.R.I.B.A., 36 Heriot Row, Edinburgh, 3.
H. A. RENDAL GOVAN, 44 Queen Street, Edinburgh, 2.
A. GRAHAM, 1 Nelson Street, Edinburgh, 3.
L. GRAHAME-THOMSON, R.S.A., F.R.I.B.A., 6 Ainslie Place, Edinburgh, 3.
The Rt. Hon. THE EARL OF HADDINGTON, M.C., Mellerstair, Gordon, Berwickshire. Mrs. HEDDERWICK, 44 Coates Gardens, Edinburgh, 12.
Major GORDON HOME, Lessudden House, St. Boswells.
J. HUNTER, 9 Pollock Road, Bearsden.
W. H. JOHNSTON, 11 Randolph Place, Edinburgh, 3.
T. MACKINTOSH, W.S., 63 Queen Street, Edinburgh, 2.
J. SMELLIE MARTIN, Cheviot Place, Hope Street, Motherwell.
W. GLEN MUIR, 3 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, 12.
B. N. H. ORPHOOT, Well House, Easter Belmont Road, Edinburgh, 12.
Major R. A. OSWALD, Cavens, By Dumfries.
LORD POLWARTH, Harden, Selkirk.
Sir DOUGLAS RAMSAY, Bt., 30 Ann Street, Edinburgh, 6.
Dr. RICHARDSON, 7 Tantallon Terrace, North Berwick.
Mrs. A. E. ROBERTSON, 17 Cluny Gardens, Edinburgh, 10.
The Rev. A. E. ROBERTSON, 17 Cluny Gardens, Edinburgh, 10.
Lt.-Col. I. ROSE, 89 Craiglockhart Road, Edinburgh, 11.
The SECRETARY, Royal Scottish Automobile Club, 8 Blythswood Square, Glasgow, C.2. ALAN STEWART-CLARK, 18 Lauder Road, Edinburgh, 9.
Sir SAMUEL S. STRANG STEEL, Bart., Philiphaugh, Selkirk.
COLIN THOMS, The Society of Scottish Artists, 25 York Place, Edinburgh, 1.
WM. WILSON, 11A Belford Mews, Edinburgh, 4.
ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND BALANCE SHEET as at 31st December 1949
[see pdf file]
ASSOCIATION FOR THE PRESERVATION OF RURAL SCOTLAND ANNUAL MEETING, 1950
Your presence will be welcome at the Annual Meeting of the Association to be held within 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh, on Tuesday, 26th September 1950, at 2.30 p.m.
The Annual Report of the Association, including a Statement of Finances is printed overleaf.
BUSINESS
1. Minute of Annual General Meeting held on 30th September 1949.
2. Annual Report and Accounts.
3. Election of Office-Bearers.
4. Election of Members of Council. 5. Any other competent business.
FRANK C. MEARS, Hon. Secretary.
Edinburgh: Printed by T. and A. CONSTABLE LTD.