Maryburgh woodland secured for community use after coordinated campaign
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A MARYBURGH group determined to see a patch of local woodland remain available to the community is now reaching out to like-minded folk after acting quickly to prevent it being lost.
Last November, Maryburgh Amenities Company (MAC) successfully purchased the woods between Birch Drive and Dunglass Road to retain it for the community.
Local organisations in the village were unaware the woods were going to auction until signs were erected. With local support, the MAC board contacted Anglian Water to see if they would consider selling for the benefit of the community.
An offer was agreed and MAC has since set up a committee, Maryburgh Community Woodland Group, which will be responsible for the woods going forward.
Dingwall and Seaforth ward councillor Angela MacLean said: “The sale of the Maryburgh Woodlands came to our notice when the for sale sign appeared. I started getting emails from concerned residents wanting to know what was happening as the area is used daily by many in the village and surround area.
"Maryburgh Amenities Company organised a hastily arranged meeting on November 2 with all interested residents and local councillors to plan options. It was clear from everyone present that this community asset could not be sold off and perhaps developed or a fence go up and stop the village from accessing the wood.
"A huge amount of work had to done in less that three weeks before the land would be sold and gone forever. Everyone played their part in contacting agencies, writing a letter to AWG Properties Ltd describing the importance of the woodland for wellbeing of the village. This was a herculean task and everyone involved was acutely aware that we could not be in a position to fail.
"As a project all those contacted worked tirelessly under extreme time pressures to help deliver for the people of Maryburgh. I would like to personally thank Paul Harrington, HIE; Nick Richards, Highland Coumcil; Trish Black, local solicitor; Andrew Jackman and Rebekah Fraser from A & R Woodland Consultants Ltd and the boards of Maryburgh Amenities Company and Maryburgh Community Council."
On November 18, 2022, ownership of the woodland had been secured.
Cllr Maclean said: "Now the real work begins for the people of Maryburgh. Residents from the village have now set up a Maryburgh Community Woodlands Group and they have a Facebook page which will keep people updated on the environmental works.
"Every household in the village has now received a leaflet with a survey which is also online, it’s important that as many people of all ages feedback how they see the woodland develop , there are already a few suggestions.
"Every one of us in the village are now custodians of this land for future generations and each of us will have a part to play in the sustainability of the woodlands. We all have skills which could benefit the project and I would encourage anyone with an interest to get in touch. Other community woodland groups have already reached out to offer help and advice."
During the purchase, a tree survey identified 20 trees which need to be either felled or pruned. This will be subject to local authority approval as the locations are in an area which has Tree Preservation Order HRC28 Dunglass Road.
The group is currently trying to identify a contractor with the appropriate certificates and is appealing to the local community to abide by any signs or taped of areas while the work is in progress.
There will be an update/questionnaire going out to all houses in the village/Brahan/Lochussie areas requesting the views of the people on the woods going forward “as we believe the woods are for everybody”.
A spokesman said: “The board would therefore ask you to make sure you complete the questionnaire as your views are important to us.”
They are also investigating the availability of grants that can be used to do the felling of the trees or any work identified when the questionnaires are returned.
Anyone with something to offer the group, be it help with the work or financially, can get in touch via a web page found at https://maryburghhub.info/
