South Lanarkshire community invited to comment on plans for local woodland
Local residents in and around Lesmahagow and Coalburn are being invited by Forestry and Land (FLS) to offer feedback on long-term plans for the forests and land they manage in the area.
The consultation is a normal ten-year review of the management plan for the area that at the time of the previous review in 2010 was referred to as Auchlochan.
The 1000 ha forest is made up of a collection of 7 former farm properties acquired over the period 2008 to 2012. Woodland creation planting was completed between 2012 and 2015, with around 60% of the land retained as open ground.
As well as producing a range of timber products including structural/high grade timber, key priorities for the site include ongoing conservation of the Coalburn Moss lowland raised bog Site of Special Scientific Interest, managing for woodland biodiversity and the pre-emptive removal of disease-prone Larch species, where appropriate.
Maintaining public access provision will also feature prominently.
Toby Austin, Planning Forester for FLS, said;
“Forestry management is a long-term activity so art of this review is about the future management of the trees that were planted when we first developed the site.
“We’re also looking at the possibilities for more woodland creation on the areas of open space that haven’t yet been planted.
“We know that local residents usually have a strong interest in what happens to their local woodlands, so we’re inviting everyone with an interest to have a look at the plans and provide us with some feedback."
More information about the plans and an opportunity to feedback is available on our website, closing date for feedback is Friday 11 November.
Notes to editors
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Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
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Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.