Latest news with #ScottishForestry
Daily Record
05-08-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Grants of up to £1,000 offered to support native tree planting across Dumfries and Galloway
The Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme aims to support small scale tree planting projects. Grants of up to £1,000 are on offer to support the planting of native trees across Dumfries and Galloway. The Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme aims to support small scale tree planting projects, with 73 awards made last year to help plant more than 9,000 trees. Grants of up to £1,000 are available towards native trees and protection to get them established, with landowners, farmers, schools and community groups among the beneficiaries last year. The scheme is administered by Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands charity with funding from Woodland Trust Scotland, Scottish Forestry and Dumfries and Galloway Council's nature restoration fund. Dumfries and Galloway Woodlands' Phil Dowling leads on scheme delivery and said: 'Its time to start thinking of the next tree planting season. 'Trees are a major part of the Dumfries and Galloway landscape, but many of our native trees are old and increasingly susceptible to disease and storm damage; we need to be planting more young trees to safeguard healthy ecosystems for the enjoyment and benefit of both people and biodiversity. 'We've now seen so many unassuming sites transformed through innovative and exciting tree planting projects supported by the Dumfries and Galloway Tree Planting Grant Scheme; I'd urge anyone with a small bit of land, be it a farm, school playing-field or community site, to apply. 'We are attending a series of agricultural shows this summer, do ask us for more information if you see us. Massive thanks to the scheme's funders: Scottish Forestry, Woodland Trust Scotland and the Council's Nature Restoration Fund.'
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Scotsman
24-07-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Funding push after community set to take Scottish Borders forestry project to court
The Scottish Government's forestry agency has been accused of acting unlawfully. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A community taking a Scottish Borders forestry plantation to court is campaigning for funding to help them fight the legal battle. Save Todrig is hoping to raise £30,000 to cover legal fees to help them block a predominantly Sitka spruce forest stretching more than 500 hectares at Todrig Farm, about seven miles north of Kelso. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Campaigners said they are concerned about the impact the plantation will have on the current moorland habitat and surrounding communities. The application for the woodland scheme at Todrig was lodged by Gresham House Forest Growth and Sustainability Fund LP. | Simon Butterworth A petition was lodged claiming that Scottish Forestry, the public agency responsible for regulating forestry and distributing grants, acted unlawfully by screening out an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) in December last year and claiming there will be no significant environmental impacts before a public consultation was done. The applicant, Gresham House Forest Growth and Sustainability Fund LP, of Gresham House Ltd, applied to the agency for the EIA decision before applying for grant funding under the Forestry Grant Scheme, which would have triggered a public consultation. Campaigners accused Scottish Forestry of 'acting in secret' by making a decision on the EIA before the consultation. It meant NatureScot and RSPB among other groups who put their arguments in, which included comments claiming bird surveys were inadequate, were seen months after a decision on environment impact had already been made. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad David Lintott, of Restore Nature Ltd, the organisation behind lodging the petition, said: 'I think it is a particularly egregious case because they [Scottish Forestry] determined there will be no harms before the RSPB and organisations like Butterfly Conservation were able to put their points across, so their arguments weren't taken into account. David Lintott, of Restore Nature, which lodged a successful petition calling for a judicial review of a forestry plantation at Todrig in the Scottish Borders | Katharine Hay 'That's really poor when your dealing with such a huge area and something that is going to cause transformative change.' The planned Todrig forest would link to another proposed 700-hectare predominantly Sitka forest at Whitslaid. It means the area will see some 11 square kilometres of conifer plantations across the moorland habitat, campaigners said. The proposed schemes, which, together, would be larger than Selkirk and Hawick combined, fall into a pilot map created by Scottish Forestry for the Upper Ale area. It shows an area the agency deems suitable for planting either large scale or medium scale spruce plantations. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A pilot study carried out by Scottish Forestry for a land capacity map. The outer red line is the boundary of the pilot study and blue denotes existing plantations. Todrig and Whitslaid are marked bottom right. | Scottish Forestry Save Todrig said, with the exception of narrow areas along the main river valleys and isolated hill tops, 'pretty much everywhere is eligible for predominantly conifer plantations'. The group said, in effect, the whole area could be covered in conifers, and if extrapolated across the Scottish Borders, pretty much everywhere outside SSSIs and other protected areas. Campaigners said blanketing the area in conifer plantations will lead to 'the permanent loss of a unique rolling moorland landscape in the Scottish Borders,' which provides a natural habitat for wildlife including the red-listed black grouse and northern brown argus, which is classified as 'vulnerable' on the butterfly red list. Butterfly Conservation was recently awarded £730,000 in public funding to enhance conservation efforts for the rare butterfly, which is found in limited areas of the UK, one of those being the Scottish Borders. According to the petition, research on brown argus carried out by the charity found the 'prime threat was found to be the increasing risk of afforestation being driven by generous woodland grant incentives.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Northern brown argus butterfly | Butterfly Conservation Trust The upcoming court case comes after a successful judicial review of a plantation at Stobo Hope, also in the Scottish Borders, forced Scottish Forestry to suspend planting and a £2m grant contract they had awarded to the applicant: Forestry Carbon Sequestration Fund, which is managed by True North Real Asset Partners. The court case was triggered by warnings from Stobo Hope Action Group that hundreds of hectares of the site had been sprayed with herbicides prior to the forestry application being submitted. Scottish Forestry halted forestry work at the Stobo Hope woodland creation scheme in the Scottish Borders in September 2024. The decision came after new information about herbicide spraying at the site. | Supplied In Scottish Forestry correspondence, obtained by Freedom of Information requests, an agency staff member described the site looking like it had been 'napalmed' following the spraying. Mr Lintott, who was also involved in the Stobo Hope case, said: 'You would think they [Scottish Forestry] would be more careful after seeing that. But the fact they haven't been in the Todrig case has been disappointing and particularly concerning.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Community groups have been set up in response to the proposed forestry schemes, including the Upper Ale Water Conservation Group who met with Scottish Conservatives MP John Lamont and MSP Rachael Hamilton to discuss their concerns. MSP Racheal Hamilton meeting with members of Upper Ale Water Conservation Group | Upper Ale Water Conservation Group Speaking during a visit on Wednesday, Ms Hamilton said: 'The local community are rightly concerned by these forestry applications and the lack of scrutiny around the consultation process. 'There needs to be more accountability of Scottish Forestry to ensure that swathes of forestry are not forced upon communities against their interest. 'That's why I brought forward an amendment to the Land Reform Bill for the Scottish Government to implement an Ethical Framework for Natural Capital Investment that ensures local community have a voice, but it was shamefully voted down at stage two.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Scottish Green Party candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale Dominic Ashmole backed the Save Todrig petition saying it was 'a fine public service.' Scottish Green Party candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale Dominic Ashmole Mr Ashmole, who was recently selected by the Greens as a South Scotland regional candidate for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election, said: 'If successful, the case could set a precedent ensuring routine and substantive EIA of proposed forestry schemes, which could steer us to a place where we have locally-led, nature-friendly, continuous cover forestry that provides a whole host of co-benefits. 'At the moment, it seems that a scary big climate target is being wielded very much as a blunt instrument, perhaps with pressured civil servants reaching for 'big corporate' solutions rather than funding communities and smaller players to create a future closer to what locals and the wider public actually want.' Gresham House insisted it adheres to regulatory standards and industry best practice across all its projects. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A spokesperson for the company said: "Community engagement is really important. 'For the Todrig proposal, we've undertaken a formal public consultation and invited feedback from statutory bodies including SEPA, NatureScot, and RSPB Scotland. "In response to early input, the current design includes a commitment to retain approximately 40 per cent of the site as open ground, primarily to support biodiversity and habitat creation. Once operational, all planting, felling, and management plans will be made publicly available - and as with any forestry project, we actively look for ways to deliver wider community benefits through improved public access, educational opportunities, and support for local initiatives.'
Glasgow Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Farming family to host free event at Hillhead Farm
East Dunbartonshire's Imrie family, featured on the BBC's This Farming Life, is teaming up with Scottish Forestry for the event at Hillhead Farm. Through the event, the family aims to showcase how tree planting has benefitted their business. Read more: What is the law on cutting trees down in your garden? How to avoid hefty fines Imries Planting site at Hillhead Farm (Image: Perthshire Picture Agency) Aimed at farmers and land managers, the event will be held on Tuesday, July 15, between 1pm and 4pm. It is set to offer attendees a look into the Imrie family's approach to integrating trees on their farm. Matt Imrie said: "We've been farming beef cattle and sheep for many years within the family's 500-acre business. "In the past, we've never really considered the benefits of tree planting. "This changed when it became clearer that there were many advantages to growing trees. "The woodland creates shelter and shade for livestock, improves the landscape, and really gives a boost to biodiversity. "Importantly, growing trees has also created a natural asset for the family to take advantage of well into the future. 'I'm very happy to share our experiences of growing trees so that it helps others who are considering it too.' The family's efforts at Hillhead Farm have been recognised for their excellence in farm woodlands, with Matt and his father John receiving a trophy at Scotland's Finest Woods Awards ceremony. Their upcoming free farm visit event is part of the Integrating Trees Network initiative, supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Forestry. Read more: 'Fantastic': Glasgow tree planting projects awarded funding Through this network, farmers across Scotland share the best practices for tree planting. Interested attendees must book their spot in advance through the Integrating Trees Network's booking site. Lyn White, forestry and farming development officer at Scottish Forestry, said: "By speaking to those who have already been and done it, these practical farm visit events provide a great way to learn what worked well, or not, when it comes to tree planting. "Scottish Forestry staff will be on hand on the day if anyone wants to know more about what grants are on offer and how best to go about applying."
Daily Record
20-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Tree felling plans in rural Stirling forest attracts major opposition in call for delay
The proposals from Forestry and Land Scotland include more than 4,000 hectares near Strathyre where woodland and forest could see trees chopped down over infection concerns. A plan that would see larch trees removed across a more than 4000 hectare stretch of woodland near Strathyre has attracted strong opposition. The proposals have been published by Forestry and Land Scotland in response to growing concern over the presence of 'Phytophthora ramorum' infections across forests in the Trossachs region. This infection has resulted in the need for Statutory Plant Health Notices (SPHNs) - which allow for the felling of infected trees and uninfected trees within a prescribed 'buffer area'. The Strathyre Forests Larch Removal Plan (LRP) covers a total area of 4,225 hectares of coniferous forest and broad-leaf woodland located around Strathyre and neighbouring Balquhidder. But the plans have been met with criticism locally - and a petition set up by campaigners looking to preserve the natural woodland has attracted more than 600 signatures. On the online petition page, they write: 'Strathyre and Loch Lubnaig are jewels of natural beauty, cherished by both locals and the thousands of visitors who flock here year after year. 'The clean air, lush green spaces, and rich wildlife create a beloved sanctuary, both for nature lovers and for the local economy which thrives on eco-tourism and hospitality. 'However, Forestry and Land Scotland's current plans propose mass felling and thinning of our forests, threatening to dismantle this irreplaceable ecosystem and the very essence of what makes Strathyre and Callander unique. 'We understand that forestry management is necessary, but such drastic measures need a pause. A thorough consultation involving local businesses and a comprehensive impact assessment on our wildlife are paramount before any further actions are taken. 'The total area affected by the FLS plan is 4226 hectares, that's an area equivalent to 6000 football pitches. 'But the total amount of diseased larch equates only to about ten per cent of that area. 'We must prioritise sustainable practices that respect both the environment and the communities that cherish it'. The petition then pleads for FLS and Scottish Forestry to halt the current plans for a 'full consultation' to be carried out and the 'implications' of the tree felling programme to be understood. An FLS spokesperson said: 'We are legally required to act when Phytophthora ramorum infection is confirmed. 'SPHNs demand that infected trees (and others within a buffer zone around the infection site) are felled prior to the following autumn. 'The SLRP concentrates in one document all of the action that we would be required to take under several SPHNs. 'Although the plan covers an overall area of approximately 4,200 ha - around 2,800 ha of which is woodland – the proposed felling area is 446 ha over the next five years (around ten per cent of the overall area) - had the disease not been present an equivalent area would normally have been felled over a 5-10 year period. 'The disease is highly infectious, affects a wide range of plant and forest species, and causes extensive mortality in infected species of larch. Pre-emptive action will go some way towards protecting larch trees in as yet un-affected areas of the country.'
The Courier
18-05-2025
- The Courier
Stirling landowner evaded legal order to replant 864 trees by selling site
Land in Stirling where more than 800 trees were unlawfully cut down has been sold without replanting taking place, prompting a scramble to contact the new owner. In March, The Courier reported that a legal restocking order issued by Scottish Forestry was ignored for more than three years, after hundreds of trees were either removed without approval or damaged at a former caravan park on Cornton Road. At the time, Scottish Forestry said it was 'considering next steps'. It has since come to light that the former landowner, Beechtree Wright Ltd, sold the site to another party in February 2024 without replanting the 864 trees. The land was sold for £80,000, and is now owned by James Stewart from Carlisle. Scottish Forestry says it has been unable to contact the new owner in order to discuss the restocking order. A Scottish Forestry spokesperson told The Courier: 'This restocking case is very much still active and we are continuing to pursue it as quickly as we can. 'The problem that we are facing at the moment is that, without our knowledge, the previous owner who was served the Restocking Direction, sold on the land. 'We are currently trying to make contact with a new owner to ensure they are aware of the Direction issued to the previous owner and understand their intentions. 'It is very much our aim that the restocking of the woodland is carried out.' The law states that it is an offence to ignore an official tree restocking order without reasonable reason. Anyone found to be committing such an offence could receive a fine of between £5,000 and £10,000. The Courier attempted to contact Mr Stewart for comment but received no response.
