Haddockston Golf Course Extension EIA Scoping Report

1 Introduction
1.1 BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
1.1.1 WSP Environmental Ltd (WSP) was commissioned by Montagu Evans LLP, on behalf of Haddockston Estate
Ltd to produce a Scoping Report for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the proposed leisure development
including extension to the existing 9-hole golf course in the grounds of Haddockston House in Renfrewshire. An
Environmental Statement (ES) will be submitted to Renfrewshire Council (RC) in support of the outline planning
application for the proposed development which was submitted in July 2009. A full planning application for the
conversion of the existing Haddockston House into a boutique hotel will be submitted to RC separately however
cognisance of this proposal will be taken as part of the EIA process.
1.1.2 The location of the proposed site is illustrated in Figure 1.1, while known environmental designations and
constraints are presented in Figure 1.2. The site, which covers an area of approximately 22 hectares, is located in the
northern part of Renfrewshire. Kilmacolm is located approximately 2.5 kilometres (km) to the west, Bishopton
approximately 3.7km to the east and Langbank approximately 2km to the north.
1.1.3 The site currently comprises Haddockston House in the northern site area, a 9-hole gold course which covers
the central and southern part of the site and fishing loch which occupies the centre of the site. The remainder of the
site is covered in plantation woodland. The site is accessed from the south via West Glen Road. A private residence,
Lochside House, is located in close proximity to the southwest of Haddockston House but is outwith the red line
boundary of the site.
1.1.4 The proposed development is to expand the existing golf course to include two 9-hole golf courses with
construction of an associated golf academy, clubhouse and leisure facilities. A fly-fishing school and bothy will be
constructed to the south of Haddockston Loch. It is also proposed to construct 40 holiday lodges in the eastern site
area and 8 residential properties in the western site area. Access to the lodges will be via the existing access to
Haddockston House. With regard to the residential properties, it is proposed to provide access via a newly formed
priority controlled junction on West Glen Road, approximately 115 metres to the east of the existing site access. Figure
1.3 presents the proposed masterplan for the site.
1.1.5 As noted previously, a separate detailed application will be made to RC to convert Haddockston House into a
boutique hotel.
1.2 THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT
1.2.1 The Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (hereafter referred to as the EIA
Regulations 1999) require that before consent is granted for certain types of development, an EIA must be
undertaken. The EIA Regulations 1999 set out the types of development which must always be subject to an EIA
(Schedule 1 development) and other developments which may require EIA if they are above certain thresholds and
are likely to give rise to significant environmental impacts (Schedule 2).
1.2.2 Schedule 3 of the EIA Regulations 1999 sets out the criteria that should be considered when determining
whether a Schedule 2 development requires an EIA. These criteria are:
The characteristics of the development (e.g. size, use of natural resources, quantities of pollution, waste
generated);
The environmental sensitivity of the location; and
The characteristics of the potential impact (e.g. its extent, magnitude, probability and duration).
1.2.3 Following submission of the outline planning application for the proposed development in July 2009, RC
determined that an EIA was required given the environmental sensitivity of the location and the number of trees that
would require to be felled as part of the proposed development.
1.2.4 Haddockston Estate Ltd has therefore progressed to the EIA Scoping stage and is committed to undertaking
an EIA in order to ensure that the significant environmental effects of the scheme are appropriately assessed and
mitigated, and to demonstrate a commitment to progressing with an environmentally appropriate and sustainable
scheme.
12151856-001 Haddockston Golf Course Extension 1