Concerns grow over Robber’s Den wood
ARDRISHAIG residents are growing concerned as woodland behind their property is becoming unkempt and dangerous.
Those living in Columba Court fear that the trees growing in Robber’s Den are blocking out sunlight to the backs of their homes and causing damp.
Donna Galbraith, who has lived there for almost a year and a half, told the Advertiser: ‘My kitchen backs onto the woods and I have a real problem with damp in there now. I’ve even had to have a cupboard replaced. There’s just no sun getting through the trees.
‘I’ve tried growing things in my garden but all the light is blocked out – even the grass won’t grow. And the leaves that fall from the trees into our gardens just turn to mush with all the rain. There are some folk in these houses that aren’t able to clear them themselves and could slip on them.’
Ms Galbraith is also concerned about the fly-tipping in the woodlands. ‘There are sheets of corrugated metal, chicken wire, a wheelbarrow so rusted it looks like a pile of leaves, asbestos ... I don’t want my daugh- ter playing up there – it’s dangerous.’
Robber’s Den is held in trust for the community by Ardrishaig Community Trust and Ms Galbraith first contacted the trust with her concerns in April, 2016. She says she is disappointed with how the trust has responded and that no work has taken place yet.
She continued: ‘I am not asking for miracles. I am just asking for it to be made safe and the trees trimmed back so some light can get through. Why couldn’t we have something like Blarbuie Woodlands in Ardrishaig? I’m sure the locals would love to help out with ideas and some might even pitch in. Robber’s Den used to be a beautiful place and now it just looks a mess.’
The Advertiser understands Ardrishaig Community Trust is awaiting confirmation of grant funding for improvements within Robber’s Den and no work is allowed to start until the funding has been signed off.