A SURVEY has been launched to gauge public opinion on a proposed new woodland covering more than 200 hectares of land near Helensburgh.
According to the Scottish Forestry register, plans have been submitted for the creation of a new woodland at Stuckenduff, above Shandon, and at Letrault Farm. If given the green light, 69 hectares of land would be developed at the former, while a further 133 hectares would be affected at the latter.
A mixture of conifers, Scots pine and native mixed broadleaf trees would be planted at the sites.
Rhu and Shandon Community Council is urging residents to respond to the consultation, having already aired concerns over the potential impact on transport in the villages.
READ MORE: New woodland to be created on hillside above A83 Rest and Be Thankful
A community council spokesperson said: “Despite the concerns of the community council and residents regarding the movement of timber trucks associated with harvesting from Highlandman’s Wood over the past two years, and the indications that another route could be found for these new plantings as well as the harvesting of the three other phases from Highlandman’s and Torr forests, these proposals still detail Pier Road as the access road.
“The operation plan states: ‘Further consultation with interested parties will be required to resolve this issue and find a solution to move forward.’
“This is why we are seeking your opinion. Harvesting from the proposed sites would be on an approximate rotation of between 30-40 years, depending on growth, with minimal transport movement in the intervening years.
“Harvesting from Highlandman’s and Torr is scheduled to last until 2034.
READ MORE: Access Trust members are on the right path with Blackhill wood improvement
“The community council has until January 15 to respond to this consultation, so time is of the essence.”
To add your comment visit surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LMWMV2B or visit the Scottish Forestry website for more information.
Meanwhile around 40,000 trees could be felled on the Rosneath peninsula under separate proposals.
More than 30 hectares of land at the Green Island Plantation near Clynder would be felled, with another 10 hectares set to be thinned.
Spruce, pine, larch, broadleaf and conifer trees aged approximately 45 years old would be affected, with a variety of species being replanted.
Work would start in April next year and last until 2024.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here