Updated Wednesday 30 January 2019
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has issued its response to Transport Scotland following updated proposals to dual the A9 between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry in Perthshire.
A number of refinements have now been made to the design of the scheme in order to address concerns raised by HES in January 2018. As a result, HES has now withdrawn its formal objection to certain aspects of the plans.
Work has been undertaken by Transport Scotland following recommendations by HES, which has included further archaeological survey and fieldwork such as geophysical survey, trial trenching and metal detecting. This has given HES a greater degree of certainty over the potential impacts of the proposals on Killiecrankie Battlefield, a nationally important heritage asset which was added to the Inventory of Historic Battlefields in 2011.
Ann Macsween, Head of Casework at HES, said:
Having assessed the refined designs in light of the new information the archaeological work has produced, we have concluded that although the impact of the proposal remains significant, they no longer raise historic environment issues in the national interest such that they warrant an objection from HES."
"This is with exception of one outstanding concern to which we maintain our objection, relating to the planting of trees to compensate for loss of woodland. We feel these proposals would have a significant adverse impact on the battlefield and have asked Transport Scotland to review them.”
The A9 Dualling Project will be determined by Scottish Ministers. HES is a consultee under relevant Environmental Impact Assessment regulations where developments affect certain aspects of the historic environment - including battlefields identified as nationally important.
HES’ role as a consultee on any such development proposal is solely restricted to commenting on historic environment matters with any application considered on its own merits and in accordance with Scottish Government policy. HES will also consider the proposals in accordance with its own guidance on Managing Change in the Historic Environment.
Download our full response (22 Jan 2019)Published Tuesday 23 January 2018
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has today (Tuesday 23 January) responded to proposals to dual the A9 between Killiecrankie and Glen Garry in Perthshire, requesting more assurances around the impact on Killiecrankie Battlefield.
Although the Environmental Statement from Transport Scotland, which is leading the project, provides information on the historic environment impacts, including an assessment of work carried out within the Inventory boundary of the battlefield site, HES has concluded the document does not provide sufficient evidence to ensure the Killiecrankie Battlefield has been taken fully into account in the design of the proposed dual carriageway.
Despite its objections to the current proposal, HES has, however, welcomed the acknowledgement in the Environmental Statement that the effect of the project will be significant.
Ann MacSween, HES Head of Casework said: "We recognise that the upgrade of the A9 is a national infrastructure project identified in a number of plans and programmes of Scottish Ministers and accept the principle that the project proposal will follow the line of the existing A9 which already crosses the Killiecrankie Battlefield.
"However, we have recommended Transport Scotland undertakes further work to provide evidence confirming that the final route will have the least impact on the battlefield site.
"In this process, our intention is not to be a barrier to development, and we will work constructively with Transport Scotland to consider if some of the impacts can be lessened."
The A9 Dualling Project will be determined by Scottish Ministers. HES is a consultee under relevant Environmental Impact Assessment regulations where developments affect certain aspects of the historic environment - including battlefields identified as nationally important.
HES’ role as a consultee on any such development proposal is solely restricted to commenting on historic environment matters with any application considered on its own merits and in accordance with Scottish Government policy. HES will also consider the proposals in accordance with its own guidance on Managing Change in the Historic Environment, which is available on the HES website.
Download our full response (23 Jan 2018)