Letter to the Editor

I am writing with regards to the proposed Halkshill and Blairpark forestry project and the revised plans which have now been published which I viewed at the recent public drop-in event at the Brisbane Hotel.
I have taken a close interest in this project and indeed was involved in some public consultation work myself a couple of years ago as part of my investigation of the potential for a community woodland as a possible community gain from this project.
I have previously remained neutral on this overall project and taken a line that, should it happen, the people of Largs should be seeking to secure maximum public benefits including not only a community woodland and all its potential benefits through recreation, environmental education, conservation volunteering etc but also capitalising on the potential spin-offs from mountain biking and hiking opportunities afforded by the new access routes.
However, since viewing the plans I now feel that a satisfactory balance has been struck between the commercial aspects of the project (i.e. the Sitka spruce element) and the non-commercial amenity aspects (i.e. the native broadleaved woodland and open ground, the “good bits”). In addition for me the contentious points have been adequately addressed, namely intrusion of forestry into the designated wild land area and the proposed commercial conifers alongside the track to the Gretas. The new plans have pulled back the forest edge to outwith the wild land area and all the proposed woodland up the glen to the Gretas is now designated native broadleaved. In addition to this, a large block of commercial Sitka earmarked for behind the Cauld rocks has now been changed to native broadleaved woodland.
In summary the proposed area of new native broadleaved woodland and woodland edge habitats amounts to an impressive 115 hectares which is nearly 20% of the total planting. To me this is an opportunity too good to miss and presents a great opportunity to restore the ecology of the hillside which represents in most part a degraded overgrazed desert. This new area of native woodland will be a wonderful asset for future generations. Landscape beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I personally welcome a change to broadleaved woodland on the skyline and other prominent areas. The ever changing pallet of colours will provide a richer and more natural view than clipped grass. I certainly cannot at all understand the opinion that this will deter visitors!
On the contrary, I think that the recreational opportunities presented by a new forest with all its tracks and the potential to enhance these with other footpath links and mountain biking agility courses should be embraced. Having visited the mountain biking hub at Glentress I can see the enormous potential tourism benefits to Largs if local businesses get their act together. In fact with its seaside and hill and forest assets combined, Largs’ tourism offer could be very strong if not unique. But don’t take my word for it, read all the reports available online on Mountain biking. (http://www.dmbins.com/developing/research/economy)
There are 184,000 visitors/per year to Glentress. The economic impact to Peebles must be significant although no figures are available. 191,000 overnight visitors to Scotland participated in mountain biking in 2014 and these visitors cumulatively stayed for 652,000 nights and spent £45 million. Notably a recurring theme is the lack of a dedicated mountain biking hub in West Central Scotland serving Glasgow. Largs could and should be it. Furthermore, Glentress seems to have inspired considerable commitment to both mountain biking in the local communities of Peebles and environs as well as to mountain biking generally, leading to sporting success and enhanced participation. A similar centre at Largs could have a transformative effect on the town and its young people for whom such limited opportunities exist. I for one look forward to taking my three kids on their first local mountain biking expedition from Blairpark over the hill to Largs via the Gretas.
Peter Livingstone
Eadha Enterprises