NEEPS

DiddleDeDum · Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 8:25 am Post subject:

I think that there are all sorts of worries about the development but think there is very little chance that the beach will be closed off. The access laws, trespass legislation and the ownership of the coast by the Crown really puts paid to any ideas they may have to shut it off.

I have walked on the beach a number of times over the years because it is incredibly quiet - you're lucky of you see one other person there, it's amazing that everybody suddenly wants to go there now! To me that's a bigger shame - a wonderful silent place suddenly becomes popular!

Maidenstone · Neepster Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 303

The beach isn't going to be closed off, but Trump stated at the public inquiry that he will not have members of the public walking across his golf course (i.e. the dunes) and distracting the players! You are right that the rights of access laws might put paid to this, but once he has his henchmen (sorry, security) and fences who are we to argue with him?

The automatic counters at the Balmedie Country Park visitor centre puts annual visitor numbers to the dunes and the beach at around 250,000. Fortunately it is a large enough area to never appear crowded. Imagine if they are all forced to walk on the beach instead of walking amongst the dunes - then it could be horrific!!
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wildgarlic · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 12:05 pm Post subject:

Is anyone from Neeps going along to this? We aren't able to go ourselves as we've got both cars off the road.
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Julie · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 5:38 pm Post subject:

Can he lawfully fence it off with the right to roam laws in place?
I'm also wondering if he might fall foul of the disability discrimination laws too, as these folks wouldn't be able to climb over his fences.
I can't imagine he would be permitted to fence off the dunes etc.
Anyway, enjoy your picnic whoever goes

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Maria · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:14 pm Post subject:

I've swung from oh-goody 'a gathering in the name of a good cause' to 'oh no! does this gathering have the potential to spoil what's good there?'

I had a chin wag with SH about the maran(?) grasses there, and intended to ask other folks too, and read a little a more so i understood the area. Sometimes, there is too much to learn, and too little day to fit it all into.

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Maidenstone · Neepster Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 303

I went for a walk in the dunes yesterday afternoon, and it is easy to walk on little paths through the marram grass without walking on it. It is really essential that it is not trampled, but it is so spiky it is really difficult to walk on it if anyone wanted to! It is also important that we don't trample on dune slack - the flat bits, with lots of species of plants growing in it. But there are acres of lovely sandy bits, especially the huge sand dome not far from the visitor centre - yesterday it was just like the Sahara desert with sand blowing and forming ripples. There are plenty of sheltered areas for picnic-ing. The dune sand is no good for sandcastles, it is much too fine - these will have to be made on the beach.
As long as people don't trample the marram grass there is no other damage we could do - apart from litter (and if any is left the organisers will collect it all at the end) - these are dynamic dunes, always moving and will cover up our traces.
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Smooth Hound · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:34 pm Post subject:

Smooth Hound · Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 10:37 pm Post subject:

i was just pointing out how counter productive it would be if people did roll on the dunes etc,
ive ssen it done, and to be fair if you didnt know about dunes it would be an innocent act, and damned good fun,
which is why i was pointing it out.

JoH · Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject:

Against the whole golf course idea but at the same time concious of the recent 'happenings' with unannounced police presences at seemingly innocent 'events' publicised on the internet (as this one is all over the place!).

If we were to lose access completely then fine, protest away but what are the protests against here? We still have access apparently, and will continue to have so even if it is confined to a lesser area so people who are turning up are protesting against a non-event and therefore doesn't any large scale gathering (with its publicised reasoning) then potentially fall into the remit of Breach of the Peace? I'd certainly not be taking any of my kids. Just in case.

Maidenstone · Neepster Joined: 14 May 2008 Posts: 303

We have been in constant touch with the police all along - they are more concerned with the usual problems like lost children or accidents as they realise it is NOT a protest, they want to know that if something should happen they could get an ambulance in etc. - just as they would with any large gathering of people. It is a family picnic, after all, and doesn't come under the heading of Breach of the Peace!
The local police officer from Ellon is going to come along at some time in the afternoon, which is fine, and we will have the numbers of other police if we need them, but there is no reason why we should.
We are showing support for the residents who face losing their homes through possible compulsory purchase - I for one can't imagine what they are feeling like, knowing they could be evicted, and all for landscaping a golf course. We are also enjoying the dunes while we can - Trump stated categorically at the public inquiry that he had no intention of allowing people to walk on his land - and after all, it is going to be a gated community there.
I hope no-one else worries unnecessarily about the picnic because of the last post - it is a shame words and phrases like protest, seemingly innocent 'events', police presences, breach of the police were used. I do hope to see lots of Neeps and their families there to enjoy an afternoon of fun. So if you feel like supporting the families who may lose their homes, come and show it by your presence. The children will have fun!
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