Mearns Long Term Plan Amendment
Mearns Long Term Plan Amendment navigation
Mearns Long Term Plan (LTP) area constitutes three blocks, namely: Fetteresso, Glenfarquhar and Drumtochty. The forest is located to the west of Stonehaven with the area of South Drumtochty most prevalent in the landscape, due to it being observed from both the A90 and East Coast mainline railway (see Mearns Location map in Documents and Maps section).
Forestry and Land Scotland are seeking several changes they wish to make regards the Mearns LTP. These are the following:
- regen management removal from Priority Open Habitats
2. EIA Screening Opinion Request (EIA SOR) for a forest road:
Renaming Land Management Plans as Long Term Plans
Land Management Plans are in the process of becoming known as Long Term Plans, a change needed as a result of changes taking place in legislation.
The Land Reform Act introduces an alternative use for the term Land Management Plan which relates specifically to the forthcoming obligations set out under this banner. These terms are used interchangeably on our website, but both currently reference our plans developed in line with the UK Forestry Standard.
Block scale amendment summary
This amendment is to address several issues we have identified which require permission from Scottish Forestry. Primarily, these are to address the following elements.
Removal of non-native conifer regen from designated Priority Open Habitat of blanket bog and heathland around Midhill Windfarm (see Midhill Priority Open Habitats map). This clear-felled Sitka spruce has set seed on the priority open habitat and Forestry and Land Scotland seek permission to remove this (see Midhill Regen Clearance Zones map). FLS have identified three strategic zones within Coupes 38802 and 38170 where removal of the Sitka spruce will take place:
Coupe 38900 (1.54 ha) is currently a Phase 2 approved felling coupe in the Mearns Land Management Plan (LMP). Forestry and Land Scotland are seeking to fell this small coupe at the same time as LMP approved Phase 1 felling coupe 38305 (see Coupe 38900 maps). Coupe 38305 is Phase 1 approved and is just to the north, separated by an area of open ground. Given the small size of these coupes, it is the intention to fell these at the same time.
Coupe 38178 this is an approved Phase 1 felling coupe and Forestry and Land Scotland wish to increase the size of this felling coupe to include the area to the north of this as far as the road, as per the maps (see Coupe 38178 maps).
Coupe 38134 was an approved felling coupe under a Felling Permission which expired in December 2025. As Forestry and Land Scotland did not manage to complete the felling in this coupe, we are seeking permission to fell the remainder of the timber in this felling coupe. This will allow us to prepare all of the site for restocking with broadleaves, which will help to protect the watercourse (see Coupe 38134 maps).
Coupe 38391 is currently a Phase 2 Coupe and Forestry and Land Scotland are seeking approval to bring this coupe forward to Phase 1, as part of this area will need to be felled as part of the Glen Dye Windfarm development. This will allow riparian planting alongside the watercourse (see Coupe 38391 maps).
Coupe 38637 is a coupe which was felled in 2025. Post harvest, we have identified areas of wetter ground and soils that are not conducive to Scots pine. As such, we are seeking to reduce the amount of Scots pine in this coupe and will change some of this restock to Sitka spruce. We also propose increasing the area of restock with native mixed broadleaves in this coupe. The increase in broadleaves will help to protect the peat soils from future harvesting operations (see Coupe 38637 maps).
Mearns roadside regen management
The prevalence of regen alongside roads is an issue within Mearns forest, with management required to allow unimpeded access across the road network for forestry operations such as haulage and wildlife management.
To support the on-going maintenance of the roads network during the plan period, road-side re-generation (naturally regenerated trees up to four meters back from the forest road or six meters from the centreline) will be removed. This will include the removal of all trees (including over 10cm dbh) from the built road, immediate verge and the roadside drain.
This maintenance of the road network will help protect the integrity of the road, which is damaged by tree and vegetation roots and from the “drip” effect of overhanging branches. The Mearns Roads regen management map highlights the roads we have identified.
Open Ground Management and regen removal
Forestry and Land Scotland are seeking permission to remove regen from open ground areas, such as along watercourses, including the Cowie and Finglennie. By gaining permission to fell Sitka spruce which has established in open areas, this will enable riparian planting to be undertaken in the forest. This will connect habitats and help cool water temperatures in watercourses and streams.
The ‘Mearns Open Ground Regen Management maps 1 to 3’, detail these open ground areas where we seek to remove the regen.
EIA screening opinion request
Forestry and Land Scotland are submitting an EIA Screening Opinion Request (EIA SOR) for a new road. Forestry and Land Scotland have permission for this road to fell the timber in Coupe 38920, via the current LTP submission. However, subsequent on site investigation shows we need to change the route and extend the distance of the road (see Mearns Planned new road map).
Amendment maps
Mearns LTP Amendment maps
- Map 1: Location | 2.52Mb | PDF
- Midhill priority open habitats maps | 1.95Mb | PDF
- Midhill regen clearance zone map | 4.37Mb | PDF
- Roads regen management map | 12.11Mb | PDF
- Mearns open ground management map 1 | 9.9Mb | PDF
- Mearns open ground management map 2 | 4.37Mb | PDF
- Mearns open ground management map 3 | 4.46Mb | PDF
Coupe 38134
Coupe 38178
Coupe 38391
Coupe 38637
Get in touch
If you would like further information or have any questions about this plan, please contact:
Email: enquiries.east@forestryandland.gov.scot