U-turn over G8 eco-camp proposal

Fears were aired that 10,000 eco-campaigners would move in

Residents in a small south Perthshire community are relieved after plans for an influx of anti-G8 protesters were scrapped.

It was feared up to 10,000 activists from a group called the Convergence 2005 Collective would descend on the hamlet of Ashfield, near Dunblane.

But farmer John Ramsbotham has decided against allowing the "eco-village" to be sited on his land.

Ashfield, 12 miles from Gleneagles, has a population of only about 100.

Mr Ramsbotham took what he said was a personal decision as Stirling Council was set to make up its mind on whether or not to allow the village to take shape.

Bucolic idyll

"We did not get to the stage of signing anything. You assess things and we just decided not to go ahead," he said.

"Some people were dissatisfied inevitably about disrupting the bucolic idyll, but there was also a lot of genuine interest."

He said that about 5,000 people had been expected to attend the three-week event.

There were probably too many loose ends at the end of the day John Ramsbotham Farmer

"We discussed the general requirements, layout and what the essence of the thing would be," he said.

"There were probably too many loose ends at the end of the day. It was too late to dovetail everything together."

The proposal was to site the camp at Craigton Farm, in a 40-acre field between the A9 and the Glasgow to Inverness railway line. The conservation village has only one access road.

One relieved father-of-two, who was going to move his children from their home, said: "I'm quite delighted and feel much safer. You don't want to put yourself in the firing line."

He said the railway line would have been a "prime target" for anyone wanting to disrupt the world leaders' summit at Gleneagles in July.

Residents were worried about the scale of the camp Parent

The parent, who did not want to be named, added: "We had heard from the local police that anything from 3,000 to 10,000 were expected. It would have meant huge disruption to our lives."

Another parent, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "Residents were worried about the scale of the camp. They were concerned about the unknown.

"I don't think people would have been concerned about having a small, peaceful eco-village up the road, if the numbers could have been controlled."

Community councillor Stewart Hepburn, a father-of-three, said the eco-village would have lasted three weeks.

Tracks next to the planned site were a "prime target"

"The camp would, in my opinion, have provided an exciting episode in the history of our village. I think people who visit us have got to feel welcome.

"Initially I thought it would be possible to please everyone, but now we will never know."

Area police commander Chief Inspector Kevin Findlater said he had heard residents mention a figure of 10,000 people.

"It is perfectly possible they will still turn up somewhere else which is why it is so important for members of the public to notify us of anyone or anything suspicious," he said.

"We respect the right of anyone to protest peacefully but equally I have a responsibility to residents, visitors and businesses to safety and security."

We will be in the general area around Gleneagles but I am not prepared to discuss that location Robin Lewis Convergence 2005 Collective

Robin Lewis, a spokesman for the Convergence 2005 Collective, said the event would probably not take place in the Ashfield area.

"We will be in the general area around Gleneagles but I am not prepared to discuss that location," he added.

He said the collective had been consulting with villagers in Ashfield and other communities.

"The event, a demonstration of grassroots self-organisation, will be open to 5,000 participants.

"Unlike the G8, we have every intention of liaising with the communities affected by the summit."