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Details of meeting with FE now available

Notes of meeting with Forestry England on June 3rd 2023 are now available. At the meeting, Alex MacLennan outlined FE’s plans to clear and thin parts of Swarland Wood as a result of damage from Storm Arwen. This map shows the areas affected.


4 thoughts on “Details of meeting with FE now available

  1. Is FE not doing any thining/clearing to wood between South Lodge and golf club house.
    Quit a lot of storm Arwen damage.

    1. Hi Robert, thanks for getting in touch. At the moment, FE are only planning to carry out work in the area indicated on the map. However, I will raise your question with them and let you know their response.
      Kind regards,
      Liz

  2. Being one of several mountain bike riders who train in Swarland Woods. We find the proposed actions of FE to be in excess of the actual needs and requirements to sustain current status to the general community who use this woodland area.
    The maps clearly shows an area which is close to 1/3 of the area that will be “clearfelling”. This area has many tracks where deer, walkers and mountain bikers use.
    The scale of FE is simply a commercialised approach with no concerns to public, wildlife and the actual people who use this area.
    There are not many woodlands in the region and local area, that provide gravelled walkways for easier access. We find this proposal to be in excess and out of character to what could be done with respect and effort to preserve what the people and animals like.
    The “thinning” means in excess of 1/3 of the woods will be destroyed by FE. These tress are not even fully grown. Looking around the countryside everywhere, there are many and far worse woodland that needs attention.
    I find the one sided actions of FE disgraceful and out of character to what we have and what we could have. Very insulting

    1. Hello Stuart
      Thanks for getting in touch. The proposed works are necessary in order to ensure safe access to the woods for all users following Storm Arwen. The area to be clear-felled is largely inaccessible at the moment because of the large number of fallen trees. Following felling, a range of different tree-species will be planted, promoting the ongoing biodiversity of the area. While various informal paths have disappeared as a result of the storm, new tracks will doubtless emerge over time that can be used by walkers and mountain bikers alike. Forestry England have made every effort to keep residents informed of this plan, especially by attending an open meeting set up in early June to answer concerns. The Parish Council will continue to share further information about the work when this is available.

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