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an article by Friends of Durris Forest, November 2006

Future of the Forestry Commission Site at Kirkton of Durris

As a consequence of its decision to amalgamate the Kincardine and Buchan Forestry Districts, Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) is in the process of relocating staff away from their Kirkton of Durris site.  This decision was reached without consultation with Friends of Durris Forests (FDF), with whom FCS has a legally binding Joint Management Agreement.  When this issue was raised by FDF, assurances were given that a presence would be maintained at Kirkton. This is not the case, and FDF has subsequently learned more of the background that led FCS to decide to choose Huntly as the main office for the amalgamated district.  As part of the review that led to the decision to close the Kirkton of Durris office, the Commission's Land Agent presented a possible value for the site, if it could be sold with planning permission for residential development. The value he suggested was 560,000 pounds. FCS has assured FDF that no final decision has yet been made on the future of the Kirkton site, but they have also noted that if it is to be sold, they are obliged to realise the greatest possible value. Sale of the site for executive housing would be the most profitable option, thus FDF felt that early action had to be taken to provide an alternative to this.

At an 8 November 2006 Public Meeting, FDF provided an assessment of the options available for the site.  The people attending the meeting expressed their unanimous rejection of any plan for executive housing and supported an alternative plan submitted by FDF.  This plan involves the creation of an educational centre for the study of forestry and aquatic ecology, local history and archaeology. The centre would prepare educational research modules for academic institutions.  Kirkton Wood is an ideal area for such a centre: the woods has a good mix of tree species and age. There is evidence that the site had long been used for growing hardwoods for building, and some of these ancient trees still remain.  The area is rich in history being part of a mediaeval royal hunting forest.  In addition to the Old Bridge of Sheeoch, there is a Bronze Age burial cairn and other evidence of early settlement.  The woods is bounded on one side by the Burn of Sheeoch (a tributary of the River Dee which, under the European Habitats Directive, has been granted the status of a Special Area of Conservation because it is one of the best areas in the UK for otters, freshwater pearl mussels, and Atlantic salmon). 

In November 2000, FDF made a Planning Permission Application for just such an activity at Kirkton, but it was not acted upon by the Council. Recently FDF contacted the Planning Authorities to obtain their views on this use of the site. FDF hopes that the plan can be implemented with the full co-operation and participation of FCS, but are fully prepared to pursue this course of action unilaterally should FCS reject the plan.  If need be they are prepared to undertake the acquisition the site for the community using the Land Reform Act or the National Forest Land Scheme.

If you wish to volunteer to help this worthy cause, please contact Friends of Durris Forest.  If you wish to donate towards saving the site please send them a cheque. As a charity, they can obtain Gift Tax Aid on donations from anyone who pays tax (please tell them that you wish this done).