Villagers appeal to minister for funds to buy woodland

A COMMUNITY group has appealed to the environment minister to intervene and help it purchase a woodland area, following a series of frustrations.

Villagers in Auchencairn in Dumfries and Galloway were offered first refusal on Rascarrel Forest, as part of the National Forest Land Scheme, which gives community groups the chance to buy woodlands managed by Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS).

But the group claims that, while the project would create jobs and enhance tourism, it has been unable to secure grants towards the 387,500 asking price. Now there are real fears the October deadline will be missed.

In a letter to the minister, Roseanna Cunningham, the project leader of the Auchencairn Initiative's forestry working group, George Brockbank, said: "

This is an exciting project for the village.

"FCS came to us asking if we would like to buy the forest, but it has been impossible to raise the money. We are running about in circles. This would be rural regeneration, and we would be creating rural employment and also expanding tourism by creating a small visitor centre."

The letter went on: "It appears that FCS is offering a local woodland under the NFLS community scheme without the local initiative having any hope of grant aid for purchase in the present economic climate."

A government spokeswoman said: "The environment minister is considering the detail of the letter and will reply in due course."

Auchencairn is one of a number of community bodies across Scotland seeking to buy areas of woodland to run locally.