Forest dry up fears have now been dismissed Villagers have concerns over spring sources
Scottish Woodlands have assured residents of a Kinross-shire village that their water supply will not be put under threat, despite a timber giant pitching up and planting a hundred hectare forest beside their private water source.
The 18 houses at Tillyrie, near Milnathort, are not connected to the mains water and instead rely on a number of underground springs emanating from the edge of the new forestry on nearby Tillyrie Hill.
However, Larbert-based timber firm James Jones and Sons Ltd are set to plant almost 215,000 trees behind the village this spring after plans to upgrade the road to the site were approved by council planners last year.
Perth and Kinross Council confirmed that forestry in Scotland is regulated by the Forestry Commission Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
As a result, they confirmed that decision does not need to go through the local authority.
A letter from Scottish Woodlands to a concerned local said the development “should have a limited effect” on the water supply.
The document stated that “the majority of the forest creation will take place in the Glenfarg catchment and should therefore have a limited effect on water supplies to the south of Tillyrie.”
One resident, who wished to remain nameless, said: “Not one of the affected local residents was aware of the forestry proposal despite the legal requirement for those planting forests to discuss their woodland creation plans with their neighbours who might be directly affected.
“According to Scottish Woodlands, this was not done because they considered the houses to be too far away to be affected and they ignored the fact their water source was in or adjacent to the planned area of planting.”
Residents in Tillyrie are worried about their water supply
A spokesperson from Scottish Woodlands said they met with residents last week.
They added: “It was explained at this meeting that approximately 100 hectares of the 100.6 hectare scheme is located in a different water catchment to the Tillyrie houses water supply. The 0.6 hectare that falls in or on the boundary of the Tillyrie water supply catchment is made up of a native broadleaf mixture and open ground.
“The native broadleaves [which will not be harvested] are for landscaping and to improve biodiversity and enhance water quality.
“It is the considered view from Scottish Woodlands and the Forestry Commission that there is no threat to the Tillyrie water supplies as a result of the woodland creation.”
Ian Pirie, joint managing director of James Jones and Sons Ltd added: “We are confident that with a carefully considered mix of commercial planting and broadleaf species the scheme will enhance the landscape in years to come.”