A recent STV article regarding SCD’s proposed purchase of Hazelbank Woods has described the purchase as being to “transform woodland into tourist attraction”.
This is not the intention and never has been. The intention is for the community to own, manage and develop an amenity woodland. A woodland that is for the community, and at the heart of the community. It’s important also to note that at this stage SCD have also not bought the woodland, but have secured the funding necessary to complete the purchase.
Hopefully, whilst the tourism slant was applied by the journalist, you can be reassured that none of the comments from staff or directors in the STV piece, or in other publications mention a tourist attraction or anything similar. Hopefully you’ll also have been aware of the intentions through the communications at the Community Council, at SCD meetings, in SCD monthly updates and in the quarterly community newsletters, and in none of these has there ever been the suggestion that we turn the woods into a tourist attraction.
As we’ve always said, the key activities over the next 3-5 years would be to improve the core path network within the woods (as some areas are less than ideal), to improve fencing round the boundaries and for the belt of sitka spruce to be replanted largely with native broadleaves to enhance biodiversity.
If anyone has any questions please let us know via info@strathdearn.org
