Nature haven 'trashed' after four-year wait for protection decision

A wildlife haven in Ayrshire has been "trashed" due to a four-year wait over whether or not to designate the site for protection, according to environmental campaigners.

However campaigners say developers have carried on working in the area - which includes dunes, grassland, woodlands and wetlands, as well as more than 1,000 invertebrate species and rare plants - since then, damaging the site.

Scottish government agency NatureScot said the amount of time being taken was due to Ardeer being "extremely complex" and balancing different interests.

Several environmental groups say work being carried out will "destroy special and rare habitats and wildlife" among the area.

A number of companies own different parts of the land, including brownfield developer NPL Group, explosives manufacturer Chemring Energetics and smaller property development firms.

It is unclear exactly who is carrying out what work, although Chemring stated to BBC Scotland News the work does not relate to land it owns.

One campaigner - who contacted BBC Scotland News but declined to be named - said the ongoing development amounted to "asset-stripping a nature site".

Roger Hissett, from the Ardeer Action Group, said the lack of protection for the site - which is currently heavily blocked from public access - amounted to a tragedy.

He said: "After more than a decade of campaigning by local naturalists it is tragic to see a developer determined to destroy the special and rare habitats and wildlife of this part of the Ardeer Peninsula.

"It is so sad that this attitude still persists into the 21st Century just when the area is being considered for protection for the benefit of future generations."

Chemring said any work it carried out was "rigorously regulated" and done with NatureScot's approval.

History of the Ardeer peninsula

The area was once home to Scotland's largest explosives factory, run by the company ICI. It closed in the 1990s.

Since then, it has mostly been left to nature, although the Big Idea science centre opened on the peninsula about 26 years ago. It shut after about three years and remains visible across the broken bridge from Irvine harbour.

Some campaigners describe the site as an "incomparable haven" for nature, with more than 1,000 invertebrate species found there - including at least 99 of conservation concern.

However the industrial past of the the area mean it is not officially recognised as a wildlife site.

Should the SSSI designation be granted, the region would then become a protected area designated for unique biological or geological features, and ensuring scientific study could go ahead there.

One campaigner told BBC Scotland News a particular concern was sand being extracted from the dunes there and then sold off.

He added: "During the past four years the sand dunes have continually been removed and presumably sold off to industry and leisure businesses, like golf courses.

"Hectares of woodland are being chopped down as well, so even though the site is heading towards being protected, the land is being trashed.

"Sadly NatureScot, at their end, have played a role in leaving this open to continued degradation by the time it is taking to decide on the SSSI designation."

Rebecca Lewis, the Scotland and Northern Ireland manager with conservation charity Buglife, said the peninsula should have an important role to play in reversing biodiversity loss in Scotland.

She said: "We are delighted that NatureScot agree that it is worthy of consideration for SSSI notification, but the ongoing activity is a blow to the integrity of this nationally important wildlife site - which has been called Scotland's best site for bees."

A NatureScot spokesperson said the decision on marking it as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI remains "a priority under consideration".

They added: "NatureScot staff have, as far as possible, surveyed the site for suitable habitat and are currently completing work on a proposed boundary based on our experience of the land and expert judgement.

"We will be discussing this work further with the owners and occupiers of the land and North Ayrshire Council.

"This is an extremely complex site where we hope it will be possible to balance several different interests, including businesses, developers, local community groups, eNGOs and recreational users.

"As such, it's important that we take the time to engage with all parties as this work continues to find the best ways to protect and manage biodiversity interests in this area."

A spokesperson for Chemring said: "Chemring operates a long-established, highly regulated site at Ardeer and is working closely with NatureScot throughout its ongoing reviews.

"The activities referenced in recent claims do not relate to our land, and we remain committed to developing our site responsibly while supporting the environmental assessment process."

NPL Group were approached for comment.