New woodland to be created in Rhu despite timber traffic concerns

Despite eight public objections, as well as concerns raised by Rhu and Shandon Community Council, the local authority has approved the proposals to develop the land at Stuckenduff and Letrault Farm.

A mixture of conifers, Scots pine, spruce and mixed broadleaf trees are set to be planted at the sites, which are currently used primarily for livestock.

Scottish Forestry says the new woodland, which will be used for timber production, will help protect and enhance biodiversity in the area and mitigate climate change through carbon sequestration.

Rhu and Shandon Community Council launched a survey in December to gauge public opinion on the plans having raised the issue of timber transportation through the villages.

Community council members objected to the use of Pier Road and Station Road by heavy goods vehicles coming from the development, highlighting that forestry traffic from Highlandman’s Wood already clogs up the narrow routes.

READ MORE: Community council's transport concerns over proposed new woodland

Community councillors also complained about an “inadequate consultation process”, claiming that Scottish Woodlands failed to appropriately “ascertain the views of the people most affected”.

Two comments were received in support of the plans, while others noted road and pedestrian safety concerns and the potential loss of biodiversity.

A report on the council’s decision states: “Haulage of timber in the future will be taken through the neighbouring plantation down through ATTG [Argyll Timber Transport Group] consultation route from the Highlandman’s Wood, Rhu to the Dumbarton-Arrochar (A814) Gareloch Road.

“The route utilises the unclassified public roads Station Road and Pier Road, Rhu to the junction of the A814 opposite Rhu Marina.

“This is a timber transport consultation route and has been recently used for haulage from the neighbouring forest, with a management plan put in place to ensure not only continued public use and safety but also to protect the infrastructure.

“Harvesting from the proposed site would be on an approximate rotation of between 30-40 years, depending on growth with minimal transport movement in the intervening years.

READ MORE: Helensburgh Community Woodlands Group urges public to make most of Castle Woods

“Prior to commencement of works, an agreement would be sought with authorities to ensure safe passage. Any movement of machinery will follow the parameters of the agreed management plan to ensure ongoing safety.”

The report says that the landscape within the immediate vicinity of the proposed site will “change very little”, views will be maintained for nearby properties, and very few homes will be directly affected by the new woodland creation.

It adds: “Planting has been designed to complement the existing woodland and comprise both of commercial and native to maintain, and potentially enhance, the current diverse range of species and habitats across the farm.

“Attention has been paid to ensuring the design moves away, as far as possible, from geometric blocks, especially on the upper ground, and there is the opportunity for a well-designed scheme to contribute to the landscape by tying into neighbouring Highlandman’s Wood which currently sits quite isolated in the landscape.

“The combination of mixed conifer, native broadleaves and open ground have been designed to move away from ‘hard edges’ to give a more natural look to the forest.

“In terms of birds, despite numerous site visits, a survey failed to record any direct and/or indirect evidence of breeding pairs on site however it is recommended (where possible) that all required works in support of the proposal are completed outside of the breeding raptor season.”

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