Trust strikes a deal over wood
Short term lease to help protect hill
Cambusbarron Community Development Trust has signed a two year lease of Polmaise Wood, Gillies Hill.
The lease, taken with Drygrange Estates Ltd, will allow the community to have an active role in protecting and managing the hill.
Following considerable negotiation and several community consultations, the decision was made to lease an area of over 66 hectares of woodland – equivalent to about 90 international football pitches.
The lease area, covering the north-east side of the hill, does not include any of the area affected by the current controversial quarrying planning application.
The purpose of the lease is to allow CCDT to take on rights and responsibilities for management of the land, while allowing time to raise funds to purchase the woodland at a fair market value, securing at least half of Gillies Hill’s future.
A short term woodland management plan is already under way and CCDT are calling for people with relevant skills or an interest in being involved to support the entirely volunteer- led project.
To date activities on the hill have included an Easter egg hunt at Polmaise Castle ruins, and walks focusing on the range of wildlife which live on the hill, such as palmate newts and red squirrels. The walks are free and have attracted an average of 30 people of all ages each time.
With help from local volunteers, CCDT hopes to build on these activities to improve accessibility of the woodland for all by identifying priority sites for path improvement and improving signage. All events and activities are promoted via email as well as the CCDT Facebook page.
CCDT chair Michael Graham said: “After many months of negotiation and consultation we are delighted to finally be able to announce the signing of this lease.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for those who care about the future of such a well loved and used natural resource to have a role in shaping it.
“We hope with the support of these people we can create a great community resource in the coming two years and ultimately secure the longterm future of Gillies Hill woodland for generations.”
Tim Barrett, Forestry Consultant for Bidwells LLP, who manage the landowner’s interests said: “We are delighted to have agreed a peppercorn lease for Polmaise Wood at Gillies Hill with CCDT in order to support the community in taking an active role in the management of the woodland while they work towards achieving their ultimate ambition of full woodland ownership,”
Anyone interested in becoming involved can email: admin@ccdt.org.uk.