THE developers of the planned commercial forest behind Largs insist they are listening to the views of the Largs community and have adapted their plans to address concerns.
In a letter to the News, Trevor Blackburn, representing owners Stakis, stated that they had followed due process over the last three years. This includes the creation of an 81,000 report on the impact to the environment. 
Once this statement in made public, the public will have just 28 days to digest the sizeable document. 
Mr Blackburn wrote that the developers had carried out a ‘huge’ amount of research which it has used to mitigate the impact on the area. 
“The ES is currently being assessed by the Forestry Commission and when they, as the regulatory authority, deem it a technically competent document it will be published and there will be a period of formal public consultation. The people of Largs as well as statutory consultees (e.g. SNH, SEPA etc) will have an opportunity to formally comment on the proposed woodland’s design in a fully informed way over the next few weeks.
“There was much made in the articles about the community benefit proposed. On this I would simply note that the proposal’s development has involved over 20 meetings with community representatives and stakeholder groups, and three drop in events. Local community feedback was sought at an early stage and has influenced the design of the proposal and, I believe, enhanced the potential benefits that the scheme could deliver to Largs and the wider community.”
Mr Blackburn listed a number of benefits, including charitable donations, landscape ‘enhancements’, ‘enhanced access and recreation and the wider community through native woodland and a garden. 
He added that there would be practical benefits, including jobs and flood mitigation. A list of potential projects is printed on this page. 
“This does not represent an exhaustive list of the wider benefits of such proposals, such as the ability of forests to absorb carbon and deliver Scotland’s Climate Change Targets, but it merely summarises some of the specific local benefits relevant to your readership. I hope also that it gives an indication of the effort gone to by the applicant to create a proposal that is in line with current best practice guidelines and that has has included input from the community, and I hope I have also made clear that there will soon be further opportunities for the community to comment.”