Outdoor group fears woods will spoil view
An outdoor access group has aired concerns over a proposal to cover an area of around 50 acres at Kinfauns outside Perth with trees.
Forestry management company Scottish Woodlands intends to create a new “primarily broadleaved” wooded area on land between Kinfauns Castle and Deuchny Wood on behalf of a client.
But the Perth and Kinross Outdoor Access Forum (PKOAF) fears the new trees could spoil the “outstanding views” of the local landscape people can currently enjoy as they pass through the area.
And they say the people who will notice the difference the most will be those who travel along a minor road which runs along the upper edge of the area, which they reckon is regularly used by cyclists, runners and horse riders.
The group has now objected to the scheme going ahead as planned, pointing out the area covered by the proposal lies within a designed landscape created in association with the construction of Kinfauns Castle in the early 19th century.
Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) Garden and Designed Landscapes Inventory says of the area: “Kinfauns Castle is situated within some 152ha (376 acres) of designed landscape which extends north to Deuchny Wood ... west to the woodlands on Kinnoull Hill and east to the woodland on Binn Hill.
“A 19th century account of Kinfauns, written soon after the completion of the castle in the 1820s, described the site as one of singular and dramatic grandeur.”
PKOAF has told Scottish Woodlands: “One has only to walk or ride along the old Perth/ Dundee road which runs along the upper edge of the area proposed to be planted to realise the accuracy of this description.
“It is not only the distant scene that attracts and fascinates the eye but also the steep slope of the valley below where the tower and roof of the castle provide a central focus.”
The group has also pointed out the area lies within the Sidlaw Hills Local Landscape Area and current Perth and Kinross Council planning policy aims to ensure local landscapes are “protected, enhanced and well managed for future generations”.
They have told Scottish Woodlands: “If this planting takes place the outstanding views that may currently be enjoyed will be irretrievably lost and in their place will be the experience of travelling through a dark tunnel of trees accompanied, most inappropriately, by deer fencing along the entire stretch of [the] lane from North Lodge to the entrance to Binn Hill - a distance of one mile.
“We have, of course, given thought to the possibility that some modification of the scheme might allow for a more acceptable outcome, but cannot see how this can be achieved and must therefore state our strong objection to the proposals.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Woodlands commented: “The design has been carefully considered to ensure the integrity of the garden and designed landscape designation is upheld and protected.
“HES are satisfied with the proposals as received. A noplanting buffer zone will be applied along the edge of Muirhall Road which will ensure there will be no adverse impact for users of the route including cyclists, horse riders and runners.
“This was agreed with Perth and Kinross Council’s roads department who did not raise any additional concerns over the proposals.”