Perceived lack of clarity over forestry plan

A Knapdale resident has expressed fears for the area's ecological future over a plan to fell an area of forestry around Dunardry.

 

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) plans to begin felling at Dunardry Ridge in July, on a project that could last up to three years.

 

The work will involve the creation of almost a mile of forestry track and the upgrade of 400 metres more at the Knapdale site, to allow the extraction of further trees.

 

But Tayvallich resident Nick MacIneaskar is unhappy with the project in its current form, fearing both ecological damage and infrastructural disruption for the area.

 

He told the Advertiser: "Dunardry forest is a hugely popular visitor attraction and forms part of Knapdale Forest National Scenic Area (NSA).

 

"FLS has submitted plans for the felling of much of this forest, and these plans have been approved subject to condition such as a traffic management plan, drainage plans, a method statement, and a condition survey of the public road below the forest, as well as restoration of forest tracks.

 

"At this time, these additional requirements have not all been met.

 

"Despite this, works are expected to commence in July of this year and continue for three years.

 

"There has been little if no public consultation for this plan, despite the statement by NatureScot that 'the proposal is located within Knapdale NSA, designated for special qualities including ‘a clothing of oak woodland over the ridges and hollows''.

 

"Visually, the plan will decimate the attractiveness of this area, as the forest is on a very prominent ridge overlooking the Crinan Canal.

 

"There is only one public road through the area which is relied upon by local businesses, hotels, and cafes for tourists to access Tayvallich, Achnamara and Crinan.

 

"Once felled, Dunardry Ridge will stand in stark contrast to the rewilding of Tayvallich Estate a few miles away.

 

"There was no requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) despite the diversity of flora and fauna in this forest, and an important burn that runs through it will be damaged.

 

"This is an urgent matter."

 

Elsewhere, Richard Stein, secretary of North Knapdale Community Council, felt community representatives were being kept up to speed with FLS's plans for Dunardry, at least at a local level.

 

He said: "While I would not be the first person to praise them with what has been going on with the car park charge introduction, I would say that FLS representatives in the area are trying to consult with us, and that they plan to attend our community council meeting on August 31 to further update us on their plans at Dunardry."

 

James Robbins, FLS delivery manager for the area, said: “Despite this being regular forestry operations for us, this is a complicated site that we need to work on now in order to deal with a number of challenging issues.

 

“As well as harvesting – some of which will be on the steep slope at the site – we will be felling potentially dangerous trees at the roadside and felling larch to help slow the spread of the tree disease Phytophthora ramorum.

 

“When work begins we will need to close the site completely, but as we head towards that stage we will liaise with all stakeholders to keep everyone informed of our plans and the progress that we are making.

 

“It is a complex site that requires a considerable amount of detailed planning because of the various issues we need to manage.”