Letter to the Editor

Forestry issues
May I congratulate our new councillors in the local election and thank them for clarifying their position on the Proposed Forestry project. Taking individual comments, no plantations on the slopes behind Largs, no treetops appearing above the hill top and removal of all Sitka planting from the hillside above the town their combined requirements come quite close to what Save the Gretas have been campaigning for. 
Interesting also that a letter to your paper presents a different view a “satisfactory balance”. The second half of Peter Livingstone’s letter detailing possible recreational opportunities presented by a new forest for mountain biking I fully support. Stopping or curtailing the planting west of the Greta burn as requested by Save the Gretas should in no way restricts that possibility and biking would compliment the existing recreational uses of the area. Indeed walkers and mountain bikers are already using the new road/track between Blair Park and Largs.
I do however feel it necessary to correct some of what Peter said, the current, under review, proposal still shows two large and six smaller blocks of Scots pine and four large blocks of Sitka Spruce between Bellsdale and the Greta bridge along with broadleaf round the Quad Rocks escarpment and the lower Gogo valley, not as Peter stated all native broadleaf. Planting and logging operations would be visible from Largs and significantly change the way the hills appear and can be used for recreation. 
The current planting map is available in Largs Library for anyone interested in viewing the proposal to better understand the implications of this major commercial undertaking. Please take time to consider the pros and cons.
Ian Dippie