FDF
have presented a strategy for the development of the recreational and educational
potential of the Durris Forests, based on the four key features:
·
Forestry
·
Recreation
·
Environment
·
Education
The
strategy is designed to bring the forests into the mainstream of modern forestry, where
the core forestry activity is developed in harmony with other related uses.
·
Timber quality will be enhanced, planting diversified and
appropriate timber related enterprises encouraged.
·
The recreational opportunities of the forest will be developed,
through opening access to interesting features in the forests, enabling a variety of
people with different needs to enjoy the opportunities here.
·
Learning about forestry, animals, plant life, and history will be
enabled through trail networks and interpretation.
We have
offered an imaginative and positive strategy for a sensitive and progressive approach to
renewal in the forests, in consultation with our members and with the local community. We
invite the public, and those who have been elected or appointed to look after the public
interest, to support our strategy.
FDF submitted the Petition against ‘off-road driving in the public forests’ to the Scottish Parliament on 12 September. (Photo) It is now being considered by the Petitions Committee. We have petitioned the Parliament to ensure that there is no 4x4 off-road driving in any forest managed by the Forestry Commission.
A meeting has been arranged with the Chief Executive of Forest Enterprise, Dr McIntosh, at the end of November, to evaluate the experience of the 12 month trial. FDF will ask him not to renew the contract for off road driving.
Meantime we have met with SNH and kept our MP and MSP informed of progress.
On 12th
October, FDF submitted to Aberdeenshire Council a plan for the recreational and
educational development of the Durris Forests. The plan envisages a network of trails for
different users, with a variety of goals. The plan is based on ideas raised in discussion
at the public meeting in Kirkton Hall on 2nd October 2000.
The Elsick
Mounth trail is already in place and way-marked from the Warren Wood entrance on Skye Brae
to the Rickarton Estate boundary, with the support of Forest Enterprise. FDF
estimates that at least 800 people have walked significant parts of this trail in the year
2000. Further improvements to the route are planned for 2001, including its extension
toward Stonehaven. The trail provides a facility for walkers, and horses and cyclists
where appropriate.
An
educational trail is proposed for Kirkton Wood, linking a series of historical and
environmental features, including the Durris Kirkyard and Old South Deeside Road bridge;
the Sheeoch Gorge with its prime aquatic habitats, including otters; the Bronze Age cairns
and farm; specimen trees, flora and fauna of the forest; and forestry history and
practice. The Kirkton Trail proposal will offer an exciting opportunity for school groups
and local visitors of all ages.
In Clune
Wood it is proposed to improve access to the Bronze Age stone circle and cairns and to
provide information about them. At present, apart from an informative, but not widely
available, leaflet published by Aberdeenshire Council, there is no public information
about the ancient remains.
In Durris
Forest, there are ambitious plans to develop cycle trails to enable people to explore
parts of the forest away from the main network of forest roads. Again, it is intended that
the trails will provide a variety of challenges for cyclists, according to ability and
need.
It is also
proposed to develop facilities for other recreational users, including horse riders. FDF
wishes to improve recreational access for people of all abilities, and to working with the
community to ensure that its interests are taken fully into account.
Make
your voice count: write to Aberdeenshire
Council to support the FDF plan for recreational trails, and to oppose the
application for off road driving in Durris Forests in perpetuity. Letters should be
addressed to G. Chree, Head of Planning & Devt, Aberdeenshire Council, Viewmount,
Stonehaven, AB39 2DQ; or by email to:
VApplication@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
There
appear to have been only 186 paying customers, according to records submitted with the LRHE
planning application, in the first eleven months of the trial period of off road driving.
Why does
the pleasure of 186 off-roaders come before thousands of recreational users of the forest?
An official
survey of recreational users in Durris Forest, conducted by Forest Enterprise, revealed
that 8% felt that their visit was affected by the off-road driving. In addition, we know
of a number of people who no longer use the forest, because they do not wish to meet
off-roaders.
FDF
estimate from the Forest Enterprise survey that there may be about 20,000 recreational
users of the forest. So at least 1600 recreational visitors are affected by 186 off road
drivers!
Following the AGM on 2nd Oct, the FDF Committee has been busy drawing up its forest strategy, and developing plans for an environmentally friendly alternative use of the forests. We are currently negotiating a Co-Management Agreement with Forest Enterprise, in order to gain full partnership in the management of the forests. If you have any suggestions, or would like to contribute to one of the working groups, please contact any committee member. ((: 01330-…)
John Coyne
(844787)
Philip Dean
(811308)
Sandy
Duthie (844507)
Maureen Gibson
(811396) Paulette Gould (811625)
Mark Hagger
(811328)
Mike Potter
(811725)
Sophie Trafford
(811488)
James White
(811756)
David
Felstead (811884)(Membership Officer)
Kevin Peace
(844625)(Forest Enterprise manager)
As expected, Land-Rover Highland Experience has submitted a planning application to extend the use of Durris Forest for off-road driving in perpetuity. The application is obscure: it seeks to ‘delete Planning Condition 2’, which provides for a 12 month trial.
The application refers only to Durris Forest, and not to the present obligatory access via Kirkton of Durris, Kirkton Wood and Woodlands Wood. Yet the Community Council has been assured that it is in order. Is a change in the access route proposed?
The Community Council has been advised that the planning application to build a house and ‘base’ at Kirkton of Durris, deferred by the Council in May 1999, will be brought forward for consideration at the same time, without further notice to the public.
The Monitoring Committee was told by planning staff that it is not possible to introduce new planning conditions. It is forever or not at all!
We do not know yet when these applications will be heard. Write to Aberdeenshire Council (address above) to oppose these two proposals from LRHE.
Louise
Simpson, Forest Enterprise Ranger, led a fascinating autumn walk at Kirkton. She showed a
twenty strong group the role of fungi in the nutrient cycle of the forest, the fine
specimen and native trees, and other fascinations of forest ecology.
The walk
was introduced by John Coyne, who told the story of Kirkton from the C13th, and showed the
mortlock in Durris Kirkyard, the fine old C18th Bridge over the tumbling
Sheeoch burn, and the Bronze Age Cairn in Kirkton Wood.
At two
scenic points, Jackie Ross of Deeside Storytellers, told some delightful tales of faeries
and kelpies, woodland kings and queens, capturing the mood of the woods. Thanks to all
three for an excellent day out: don’t
miss our next walk!
See the FDF
website for the latest about Durris Forest, our submission to the planning committee, and
the accompanying photographs of damage to the environment: www.friendsofdurrisforests.co.uk
