Click here for a poem expressing one person's views about the AWPR and how it would affect the Camphill community.

"Mr Deputy Speaker you judge a society by how it treats the most vulnerable."
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, during his Budget Speech, March 16, 2005

"I had fondly assumed that the people who make planning decisions had some sense of priorities in life.

"Assuredly, if the road was going to be routed across an old battlefield, or through a hedgehog sanctuary, there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth, protests from eco-warriers and the rest. They should find somewhere else to put their road."
Jeremy Paxman - television interviewer and personality, who visited the Camphill Newton Dee community some years ago while opening a new agricultural building.

"I very much deprecate the violation of this peaceful community."
Lady Kirkhill - wife of Lord Kirkhill, former Lord Provost of the City of Aberdeen

"The Camphill community at Newton Dee is under threat from the proposed route of the WPR. I support their campaign to get the route of the road changed so it doesn't impact on the peace and tranquility of the community."
Anne Begg, Member of Parliament for Aberdeen South

"Now a major bypass is being planned 50 metres from her bedroom window. Without doubt it will destroy the fragile balance of this special community that has taken over 60 years to nurture... Camphill is one of Scotland's hidden gems, a tranquil environment where damaged people are looked after with a care and attention that is hard to comprehend... the Camphill experience is too important a part of life to be bulldozed away."
Kenny Kemp, whose daughter is a pupil at Camphill Rudolf Steiner School, writing in the Sunday Herald, June 27, 2004

"This afternoon, many views have been expressed and we have heard talk about justice and destruction. It is right and proper that people come to the Parliament and represent the views of the community but it is also appropriate to say that we must be careful not to create unnecessary concerns through over-elaboration or exaggeration."
Tom McCabe, Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care speaking during the debate on Camphill in the Scottish Parliament, June 23, 2004

"I know Emma and her many friends in Newton Dee are extremely worried and anxious about the threat that is hanging over them at the moment. It would be such a tragedy to destroy this magical place and undo all the good that has been done over the past 60 years. I can't believe people would stand back and let it happen.

"We have to protect the vulnerable members of our society. That's why Emma and her friends need others to speak out against this proposal. They need to know they are not fighting this battle alone."
Trudie Goodwin - Sgt June Ackland in the TV series 'The Bill' - speaking about her sister-in-law who is a resident in Newton Dee

 
"The preferred corridor will destroy the community, which now houses some extremely vulnerable people and which for over sixty years has been a secure and peaceful haven for many of these residents."
Nanette Milne, MSP for North-east Scotland

"The people at Camphill can't decide to pack up and set up home elsewhere if a dual carriageway goes through their community. For people like Martin, Newton Dee is their entire life. It has been Martin's home for more than 20 years. Some of his friends have been there much longer.

"I care deeply for my brother and there must be another route for this road. Destroying the Camphill community is too high a price to pay, even for an important project like this."
TV personality Timmy Mallett speaking about his brother who is a resident in Newton Dee

"I took the opportunity to visit Newton Dee and was struck again by quite what a special place it is and what a huge impact it has on the local community and the north-east as a whole. ...everything possible should be done to allow the community to continue undisturbed and indeed, to develop in the future."
David Davidson, North East Scotland Tory MSP

"As a resident of Bieldside for over thirty years, I know the Camphill Estates very well. However, I admit that I had not appreciated just how great the impact would be until my recent visit to the site.

"The preferred corridor will destroy the community, which now houses some extremely vulnerable people and which for over sixty years has been a secure and peaceful haven for many of these residents."
Nanette Milne, North East Scotland Tory MSP

"I was absolutely horrified when I realise what the impact of the chosen route for the AWPR would be on Murtle Estate and Newton Dee.

"It is very clear that there has been little or no attempt on the part of those responsible for choosing this particular route for the AWPR to develop any understanding of what Camphill is about and the very valuable work that they do, let alone the devastating effects of such a project on the people who live and work there.

"We cannot allow this to happen. It is unthinkable that this community of people - some of whom are extremely vulnerable - should lose their only home, their safe haven where they are so expertly assisted and cared for."
Kirsty McLean, Proprietor of The Garden Design Company (Scotland), Milltimber

"Some north east communities are inevitably going to suffer far-reaching, negative consequences as a result of the road being built. The Camphill Trust, for example, will see its long-established, caring communities effectively split in two as they lie directly in its path."
Shiona Baird, North East Scotland Green MSP

"As a member of Newton Dee's Local Management Committee, I am very supportive of their campaign against the Western peripheral Route."
Councillor Matthew Duncan, Aberdeen City Council

"I worked at Camphill Medical Practice for almost two years. It is set in the most beautiful surroundings and the land has been biodynamically farmed for many years.

"As a doctor, I was amazed by the dedication and high level of care given to the villagers by their carers. I was also fortunate enough to have contact with the villagers, most of whom had either a physical or mental disability, or both.

"It is the first time in my life that I have met disabled people who have such high self-esteem and are proud of their roles in their community. They are leading a happy and healthy lifestyle, thanks to the nurturing environment of the Camphill community."
Dr Rachel Edwards, GP

"Aberdeen's role in the development of the international Camphill Movement is something of which we can all be proud. To jeopardise its work in this way is unspeakable."
Ian Kerr, member of the Aberdeen business community and director of Cornerstone Community Care

"At Murtle we take care of people with special needs and disabilities. These people do not understand the world as we do. They can't stand noise and they have to sleep. If this road is build they will be disturbed in their sleep… The air won't be clean and at Murtle we have good, fresh air."
Gavin Work, pupil at Camphill writing to local councillor

Click here to read comments taken from the Proposed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Road route Option 14: Camphill Special Needs Study report prepared for Grampian Regional Council:

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