A British arms company, Overwatch, has scrapped its plans to conduct live fire tests of fragmentation bombs in the Flow Country, a newly designated UNESCO World Heritage site, The Guardian has revealed.
Overwatch had sought permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to drop anti-personnel bombs via drones on land owned by Liberal Democrat peer John Thurso. The Flow Country, recognized as the world’s first peat bog to receive World Heritage status in July, plays a critical role in conservation and combating climate change.
The tests were halted after The Guardian alerted Overwatch that the designated testing area included the Strathmore peatlands, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This protected peat bog is home to rare and endangered bird species such as dunlin, golden plover, and greenshank.
Mark Melhorn, Chief Operating Officer of Overwatch, stated that the company was unaware of the site's protected status and immediately withdrew its application to the CAA. "We had been directed to the area by a third-party provider and were not informed of any environmental protections, even during a site visit," Melhorn explained.
The revelation of the planned tests alarmed conservationists and government agencies. NatureScot, Scotland's nature agency, expressed surprise that Overwatch had not recognized the area's protected status. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds also voiced concerns, noting the unusual nature of the withdrawn CAA application and its potential impact on designated sites.
The application was made by OW Energetics, a subsidiary of Overwerx Ltd, an arms company specializing in anti-personnel bombs and military drones. Overwerx is owned by Drew Michael, a former army officer who has gained media attention due to his relationship with model Louise Redknapp.
Melhorn confirmed that Overwatch had planned to test a 1.5kg fragmentation bomb known for its "exceptional kinetic effect." The company had also sought approval to use a drone equipped with the bomb in a 2km-diameter safety zone on the Thurso estate near Loch More.
Lord Thurso stated that he was unaware of the specific details of Overwatch's plans, including the use of drones and fragmentation bombs. He mentioned that a quarry on his estate had been used for military testing for over 20 years but insisted that there was "absolutely no way" he would have approved bombing over the Strathmore peatlands. "We would never give permission for people to go dropping bombs in the blanket bog," Thurso asserted.
NatureScot expressed relief that the testing had been canceled but noted their surprise that Overwatch had not engaged with them to assess environmental impacts. "The Strathmore peatlands site has been protected since 1992, so it is concerning that the applicant was unaware of its status," a spokesperson said.
The Flow Country’s recent designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site underscores its global importance, making the cancellation of these tests a significant step in protecting the area’s ecological integrity.
No comments:
Post a Comment