Public views sought on woodland and peatland scheme
PEOPLE are being asked to comment on a five-year woodland creation and peatland restoration plan involving Scottish Woodlands in the North-East of Scotland.
Scottish Woodlands is designing, implementing and managing the project on 6,300 hectares of Glen Dye Moor in West Aberdeenshire.
The scheme is specifically designed to help tackle climate change through the capture of over 1.4 million tonnes of carbon.
Discussions with local community groups and organisations are already taking place, while drop-in public exhibitions will be held at Strachan Village Hall (2.30pm-8pm, Wednesday, August 24) and The Venue Community Hall, Laurencekirk (2.30pm-8pm, Friday August 26).
Following the consultation, applications will be made to undertake peatland restoration work across approximately 1,800 hectares and new planting over around 3,000 hectares, including 2,000 hectares of native woodland and up to 1,000 hectares of productive conifer species for timber.
Public access and facilities will be enhanced over the land, which is currently enjoyed for its scenic splendour, including the prominent hilltop of Clachnaben.
Neil Crookston, Regional Manager North for Scottish Woodlands, said: “We want people to come along to our drop-in events and to see first-hand our proposals to create a sustainable future for the moor, tackling climate change, creating jobs and preserving a rural landscape. It is important for people to have their say.”
The project has been developed by Par Equity, the Scottish-based forestry investment fund manager and Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc.
Details of the proposed scheme are also available on the project website www.glendyemoor.com