A KEEN hillwalker from Fairlie has voiced concerns about the felling of an extensive number of trees in the village.

An application has been made for the axing of 21,515 trees in the back hills behind the village.

Scottish Forestry is carrying out a consultation on a proposal to fell around 27 hectares of trees on the North Southannan Estate.

Permission is being sought from the governing body to cut down mature conifers in the area, including Sitka spruce, Scots pine and mixed conifers.

The application states that without felling work there is a risk of more 'windblown' trees creating a public safety concern.

The deadline for consultation responses is Tuesday, June 27.

But Fairlie resident and keen walker Hugh Maclean told the News that he believed the felling of the trees would spoil a "tranquil" walk in the area.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: A number of areas, marked in red, are affected.A number of areas, marked in red, are affected. (Image: Scottish Forestry)

 

Mr Maclean said: "There are a number of affected sites, but the most significant, for me, is the most scenic tranquil woodland walk on the approach to the cup and ring marked stones by Diamond Hill.

"In these days of mental health challenges in the community, it would be a travesty to fell these trees, for purely financial gain.

"The words ‘price of everything and value of nothing’ immediately spring to mind!"

The application states: "Due to the exposed nature and soil conditions it is considered that the majority of the trees have reached a terminal height.

"The existing windblown areas will increase over time and could potentially become a safety issue.

"This is being consider as an opportunity to return some compartments to the semi natural habitats they have historically been."

The application states that Scottish Forestry wanted to begin felling work on May 29, and that it expects the work to be complete by December 4.

Scottish Foresty normally expects areas of felled trees to be restocked unless the work being undertaken is restricted to thinning.

Under the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018, a continuing condition to the permission is required to secure restocking.

The applicant is asked to provide information about the proposal for restocking each area where felling is taking place with Sitka spruce, alder, rowan, silver birch and oak outlined in the application.

Fairlie Community Council have been alerted by local groups about the application.

Details of the live application on the Scottish Forestry website - with the opportunity to respond - can be found at bit.ly/southannanfelling.