Caithness.org News Bulletins -  October 2002

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HIE TO SUPPORT COMMUNTIY BID FOR FORRES WOODLAND
Highlands and Islands Enterprise has agreed to support the proposed community purchase of the Sanquhar Woodlands in Forres, with a financial contribution from the agency's Community Land Unit. 

The grant will form part of a bid by the Forres Community Woodlands Trust to buy the 117.5-acre woodland, which is within easy walking distance of the town, and manage it as a community amenity area.

The Sanquhar Woodlands lie immediately to the south and east of Forres and consists mainly of semi-mature Scots pine. Its close proximity to and accessibility from the town make it an attractive prospect for community ownership and management as an amenity area.   The closing date for offers is this Friday (4th October). If successful in its bid, the Trust plans to identify community and management priorities for the woodland. The group will also assess the availability of necessary skills within the community to develop the woodlands and explore future sources of funding, support and advice to help implement their plans.

Confirming the support John Watt, head of HIE's Community Land Unit, said: "The Forres community, through the Trust, have developed clear thinking on their plans for the future of this woodland, which would generate significant social benefits as well as a number of economic opportunities. It is an asset to which local people attach considerable value."

Chris Piper, chairman of the Forres Community Woodlands Trust, said: "We are delighted to receive confirmation of this financial contribution which has given the Trust a huge boost in raising the necessary funds to make a realistic bid for the woodlands. It is vital that we are successful in securing permanent community ownership of these lovely woodlands, which form such an important part of the social and environmental fabric of Forres."

Other local woodlands at Muiry and New Forres Woodlands were purchased by the Turust in 2000, a purchase that was also backed by HIE.

COMMUNITY DECIDE NOT TO BUY TOMATIN WOOD
A proposal for a community purchase of the 60 hectare Distillery Wood at Tomatin near Inverness, will now not go ahead.  Forest Enterprise confirmed in mid 2001 that the woodland was to be sold off and the community registered an interest in buying it. A local ballot provided the mandate to investigate further.
The Community Land Unit at Highlands and Islands Enterprise provided a grant and helped set up a steering group to manage a feasibility study into the viability of running the wood as a community venture. The study, by professional foresters IM Forestry of Kiltarlity who are retained to help the Abriachan community forest, concluded that Distillery Wood could be managed as a viable woodland. The report findings were made available to help local residents decide on whether or not to
proceed.

The report showed the mature Scots Pine in the wood could provide a modest cash flow coupled with woodland management grants. This would be sufficient to fund small scale pathwork and conservation activities while safeguarding the wood for local people and as a landmark for travellers on the A9.

The final stage in the process was a community ballot, conducted by The Highland Council, which was concluded last week and which showed a narrow majority (55%) against the purchase. Spokes person for the steering group, Duncan Bryden, said: "We believe there was considerable potential for community ownership and management of the woodland.

The new Strathdearn Primary School is right beside the wood. We always stated however that the views of the community as a whole were important and would ultimately decide on whether or not to go ahead. While there were 107 votes in favour of the purchase, there were 128 against and we respect this as the majority view. Even though we won't now be going ahead with the purchase, it has been a very useful process and the steering group is extremely grateful to everyone who has taken an interest in the matter and contributed to the debate. Sixty-five percent of the community voted which shows a healthy interest in local matters."

Head of HIE's Community Land Unit, John Watt, added: "Making a community purchase of any kind is a big commitment and can be very daunting.  It is crucial that members of the community know exactly what it is they are taking on and are as informed as they can be when coming to a decision. I am pleased that we have been able to help by funding the steering group and the feasibility study."