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Moray and Aberdeenshire Forest District
Meikle Ley
Land Management Plan
Plan Reference No: LMP 51
Plan Approval Date:
Plan Expiry Date:
Meikle Ley
FOREST ENTERPRISE - Application for Forest Design Plan Approvals in Scotland
Forest Enterprise - Property
Forest District: Moray & Aberdeenshire FD
Woodland or property name: Meikle Ley
Nearest town, village or locality: Tillyfourie
OS Grid reference: NJ64391148
Areas for approval
Conifer Broadleaf
Clear felling 0 ha 0 ha
Selective felling 0 ha 0 ha
Restocking 0 ha 0 ha
New planting (complete appendix 4) 5.4 ha 18 ha
1. I apply for Forest Design Plan approval*/amendment approval* for the property
described above and in the enclosed Forest Design Plan.
2. * I apply for an opinion under the terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment
(Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 for afforestation* /deforestation*/ roads*/
quarries* as detailed in my application.
3. I confirm that the initial scoping of the plan was carried out with FC staff on 4. I confirm that the proposals contained in this plan comply with the UK Forestry
Standard. 5. I confirm that the scoping, carried out and documented in the Consultation Record
attached, incorporated those stakeholders which the FC agreed must be included. 6. I confirm that consultation and scoping has been carried out with all relevant stakeholders over the content of the of the design plan. Consideration of all of the issues raised by stakeholders has been included in the process of plan preparation and the outcome recorded on the attached consultation record. I confirm that we have informed all stakeholders about the extent to which we have been able to address their concerns and, where it has not been possible to fully address their concerns, we have reminded them of the opportunity to make further comment during the public consultation process. 7. I undertake to obtain any permissions necessary for the implementation of the
approved Plan.
Signed …………………………………… Signed…………………………………… Forest District Manager Conservator District Moray & Aberdeenshire Conservancy Grampian Date ……………………………… Date of Approval:…………………………… Date approval ends:……………………….
August 2015
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Contents
1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 3
1.1 Location ............................................................................... 3
1.2 Setting and Context................................................................ 3
1.3 Land Management Objectives .................................................. 4
2. BACKGROUND INFORMATION ............................................... 5
2.1 History of the site................................................................... 5
2.2 Physical site factors ................................................................ 6
2.3 Biodiversity and environmental designations............................ 11
2.4 The existing land use ............................................................ 12
2.5 Landscape and land use ........................................................ 16
2.6 Social factors ....................................................................... 18
3. ANALYSIS AND CONCEPT .................................................. 20
3.1 Analysis and concept table .................................................... 20
4. LAND MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS ......................................... 22
4.1 Existing woodland ................................................................ 22
4.2 New woodland ..................................................................... 22
4.3 Open ground ....................................................................... 24
APPENDICES ....................................................... 25
APPENDIX 1 – THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL CONTEXT OF MEIKLE LEY. ..... 26
APPENDIX 2 – CONSULTATION RECORD ..................................... 31
APPENDIX 3 – PLANTATION SCHEME MEIKLE LEY ........................ 333
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
MAPS
Map 1: Meikle Ley, the Ordnance Survey (OS) maps published in 1874. 5
Map 2: Meikle Ley geology. Extracts from British Geological Survey, 50k
Geology map of the UK. ................................................................... 6
Map 3: Soils in Meikle Ley; map based on an interpretation .................. 7
of the John Hutton Institute soil maps. .............................................. 7
Map 4: Meikle Ley topography .......................................................... 8
Map 5: Accumulated total of the day-degrees above the growth threshold
temperature of 5º at Meikle Ley ........................................................ 9
Map 6: Detailed Aspect Method of Scoring at Meikle Ley .................... 10
Map 7: Moisture Deficit at Meikle Ley ............................................... 10
Map 8: Habitats in Meikle Ley ......................................................... 11
Map 9: Land capability for agriculture, James Hutton Institute 1:50,000.
.................................................................................................. 13
Map 10: Meikle Ley (in red) in the surrounding region. ...................... 15
Map 11: Meikle Ley topography. ..................................................... 16
Map 12: Aerial view of Meikle Ley ................................................... 17
Map 13: Non-scheduled monuments on the site. ............................... 19
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
1. Introduction
1.1 Location
Meikle Ley is approximatively 29 ha of farm land acquired by Forestry
Commission Scotland (FCS) in 2011 in an open market sale. The site is
located in a rural area of Tillyfourie close to the A944 between Alford and
Westhill. The sites southern and western boundaries are with the existing
Forestry Commission managed forest of Corrennie. To the north and east is
open farmland.
1.2 Setting and Context
Meikle Ley is east facing and lies within a rolling land form of forestry and
farmland. Improved grazing is the predominant type of farming in the
immediate area.
In terms of the Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Strategic Plan, Meikle
Ley is located in an area identified with potential for:
Growing of productive broadleaves
Photo 1: View of Meikle Ley
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Delivering management beneficial to red squirrels (however, the
area is not recognised as being a strong hold for red squirrels).
A more detailed analysis of the national and local context for how this site
might best support the integrated land management objectives of the
Scottish Government can be found in Appendix 1.
Moray & Aberdeenshire Forest District Strategic Plan (Public consultation) -
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fesplans
1.3 Land Management Objectives
The purpose and objectives for managing this land have been identified
following a review of:
the physical context and existing land use;
the land management objectives already established by statutory
bodies;
the physical capability of the land;
the locational objectives identified in the Moray & Aberdeenshire
Forest District Strategic Plan;
the views expressed by the public and statutory stakeholders
Analysis of the available information has led to the primary objectives for
this site which are:
1. To grow a quality timber crop, either conifer or broadleaf, where
appropriate;
2. To increase the area of woodland cover using broadleaves where
appropriate and to grow these productively if the site conditions allow.
We will implement a productive broadleaf strategy to ensure a steady
expansion of the broadleaf woodland on Estate where it is compatible
with sound sylviculture in accordance with the FCS strategic plan.
Additional secondary objectives for the future management of Meikle Ley
have been identified and prioritised:
1. Improve the biodiversity value of the habitats and network;
2. Integrate sensitively the new plantation in the landscape.
The information and analysis which follows explains the reasons why
these objectives have been identified and prioritised.
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2. Background information
2.1 History of the site
Prior to FCS’s acquisition of Meikle Ley in 2011, this area was mainly
permanent pasture and arable lands. When purchased Meikle Ley did not
included any property or outbuildings.
It is clear from the extracts of the Ordnance Survey (OS) maps published in
1874 the area has been long been associated with agriculture.
2 non-scheduled monuments have been identified in and along the site (see
2.6.3).
Stone dykes are located on the site. A 4 to 5 meters buffer zone will be left
between the dykes and the new plantings.
Map 1: Meikle Ley, the Ordnance Survey (OS) maps published in 1874.
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
2.2 Physical site factors
2.2.1 Geology, Soils and topography
Geology - According to the British Geological Survey Geological Map of the UK the plan area is almost completely underlain by granite, syenite,
granophyre and allied rocks.
Map 2: Meikle Ley geology. Extracts from British Geological Survey, 50k Geology map of the
UK.
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Soils – According to the soil survey maps of this land management plan area it is
almost completely underlain with brown earth. A smaller area of the site is also
covered with a typical surface water-gley.
Map 3: Soils in Meikle Ley; map based on an interpretation
of the John Hutton Institute soil maps.
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Topography – Meikle Ley has an altitudinal range of 200-330 m above sea
level. The site is all enclosed farmland on level to moderately sloping land.
Map 4: Meikle Ley topography
2.2.2 Water
Meikle is located in the catchment of the River Don. The River Don
catchment has several designations relating to the importance of its waters
which, coupled with a range of diffuse pollution effects, make restoring and
protecting it a high priority. The main pressures in the catchment include:
agriculture pollution, sewage treatment works discharges, septic tanks,
morphology and abstraction. The land management proposals in this plan
(See section 4) will be designed to contribute to the alleviation of the issues
raised.
A burn is crossing over the site. Planting native broadleaves along the burn
will help to improve water quality within a buffer covering a minimum of 20
meters on each sides of the watercourse. The buffer zone will help capturing
diffuse pollution.
Precautions will be taken in order to avoid diminishing and alternating the
burn and water quality and will be adapted to the methodology / machines
used to plant the trees.
A minimum of 50 meters will be left unplanted around neighbour’s water
supplies (one well is located on the site boundary).
-basin-management-planning/
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Re-meandering the burn could be an option for future forest works in order
to improve its ecology and dynamism.
However, no works will be undertaken before planting the site regarding
the scale of the job to be realised. Planting riparian woodland will already
help to improve the burn ecology
2.2.3 Climate
According to the Ecological Site Classification (ESC) protocol, the climate at
Meikle Ley is cool, between wet and moist and mainly sheltered.
Nevertheless, the very top of the slope at Meikle Ley is classified as highly
exposed. Four climatic factors are used to define the climate for any given
location. These are warmth, wetness, continentality and windiness.
Continentality has the least impact so is dropped from the overall climate
zone designation.
The climate data for Meikle Ley from interrogating the ESC is:
Map 5: Accumulated total of the day-degrees above the growth threshold
temperature of 5º at Meikle Ley
AT5 is the accumulated total of the day-degrees above the growth
threshold temperature of 5º, which provides a convenient measure of
summer warmth. The results for AT5 place Meikle Ley in the cool zone.
AT5 DAMS MD
Range 908 - 1075 9 - 16 67 - 102
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Map 6: Detailed Aspect Method of Scoring at Meikle Ley
DAMS is the Detailed Aspect Method of Scoring. This represents the
amount of physically damaging wind that forest stands experience in the
year. The range of DAMS is from 3 to 36 and windiness is the most likely
limiting factor to tree growth at higher elevations in Britain. The results
place Meikle Ley between being sheltered to highly exposed site.
Map 7: Moisture Deficit at Meikle Ley
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
MD is the Moisture Deficit for the area. Moisture deficit reflects the balance
between potential evaporation and rainfall and therefore emphasises the
dryness of the growing season (rather than the wetness of the winter or
whole year). These results place Meikle Ley on the boundary between the
“wet” and “moist” zones.
These results will be used to help assist in the choice of tree species in the
land management proposals for the site (see section 4). Each tree species
has tolerances for these and other factors and they can be used to identify
species suitable for the site conditions.
Further information on these criteria and the application of ESC can be
found in Forestry Commission Bulletin 124 - An Ecological Site Classification
for Forestry in Great Britain.
2.3 Biodiversity and environmental designations
After consultation with SNH and RSPB no particular biodiversity issues were
highlighted for this site.
A habitat survey has been undertaken for the site and does not report any
protected or priority habitat types (see Map 7 below).
Map 8: Habitats in Meikle Ley
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Of the UKBAP species potentially present around the site, the Red Squirrel is
one of the six key species identified in the FCS Biodiversity Action Plan.
Therefore good forest design and operational practice will be undertaken to
benefit red squirrels according to FCS Guidance Note 33: Forest operations
and red squirrels. However, the LMP area is not located within the strong
hold for red squirrel.
2.4 The existing land use
There has been a requirement for a better understanding of the inherent
capabilities of land in Scotland for a range of different uses, especially
agriculture. In the mid 1960s, the Macaulay Institute developed a Land Use
Capability (LUC) system which was based upon a series of guidelines that
allowed soil maps and other landscape and climatic information to be
interpreted into land classification maps. In the early 1980s the LUC system
was further developed and became the Macaulay Land Capability for
Agriculture (LCA) classification. This is now the official agricultural system
widely used in Scotland by agriculturalists, planners, estate agents and
others as a basis for land valuation.
The LCA classification is used to rank land on the basis of its potential
productivity and cropping flexibility. This is determined by the extent to
which the physical characteristics of the land (soil, climate and relief)
impose long term restrictions on its use.
Land capable of supporting Arable Agriculture (Class 1 to Class 3.1),
often referred to as prime agricultural land, is capable of being used to
produce a wide range of crops. The climate is favourable, slopes are no
greater than 7degrees and the soils are at least 45cm deep and are
imperfectly drained at worst. This land is highly flexible for other uses as
well, such as biofuel crops and woodland, although current management
may make other options, such as heathland restoration, difficult in the short
term.
Land capable of supporting Mixed Agriculture (Class 3.2 to Class 4.2), is
capable of being used to grow a moderate range of crops including cereals
(primarily barley), forage crops and grass. Grass becomes predominant in
the rotation in class 4.2, whilst other more demanding crops such as
potatoes can be grown in class 3.2. The climate is less favourable than on
prime land, slopes up to 15 degrees are included and many soils exhibit
drainage limitations.
Land capable of supporting Improved Grassland (Class 5.1 to Class 5.3),
has the potential for use as improved grassland. A range of different
limitation types, either operating singly or in combination, can restrict the
land capability to this class. These limitations include climate, slope
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
wetness, and often a heterogeneous pattern of conditions that render even
occasional cultivation unsuitable. Land which has had this potential for
improvement exploited is much more productive than land which remains in
its unimproved state.
Land capable of supporting only Rough Grazing (Class 6.1 to Class 7), has
very severe limitations that prevent sward improvement by mechanical
means. This land is either steep, very poorly drained, has very acid or
shallow soils and occurs in wet cool or cold climate zones. In many
circumstances, these limitations operate together. The existing vegetation is
assessed for its grazing quality (Class 6.1 is of high grazing value for
example but class 7 is of very limited agriculture value). Nonetheless, this
ground often has a high value, for example in terms of storing carbon in its
organic soils and supporting rare species and habitats.
Land classification
The land’s classification according to the James Hutton Institute’s (JHI)
1:50,000 land capability map is shown in the table and figure below.
Map 9: Land capability for agriculture, James Hutton Institute 1:50,000.
Meikle Ley
Land classification Area (Ha) %
3.2 6.1 20.6
4.2 22.5 75.9
5.2 1.1 3.5
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Meikle Ley is mainly covered by soils with a 4.2 land capability (75.9
%). Regarding the LCA classification, these kind of soils are not very
suitable for crops but better suited to grazing.
When the proportion of the different land capabilities at Meikle Ley are
compared to the parish of Cluny across whose boundaries the site is located
and close to, it is clear that the capability of the land is below average for
the surrounding areas.
Figure above: Proportion of land capability (according to JHI) in Meikle Ley and
Cluny.
Impact of potential loss of agricultural land to the economy
Any loss of agricultural land due to tree planting, and therefore agricultural
production, could have an impact on the local economy, both directly and
indirectly. To quantify this impact it is necessary to establish the proportion
of the local production that would be lost following the removal of any area
planted with woodland.
Comparison with the parish containing Meikle Ley (Cluny) and those
surrounding the one of Cluny, the main local centre for the sale of livestock,
is shown below. The data was supplied by the Scottish Government Rural
Payments & Inspections Division to allow the comparisons to be
undertaken.
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Map 10: Meikle Ley (in red) in the surrounding region.
Arable Crops1
Utilised
agricultural land2
Total agricultural
land
Holdings Hectares Holdings Hectares Holdings Hectares
Monymusk 19 1,388 26 1,830 26 2,333
Tough 17 1,121 36 2,259 36 2,346
Cluny 27 2,005 40 2,832 41 3,304
Midmar 37 1,519 66 2,387 66 2,920
Kincardine
O’Neil 64 2,622 96 4,157 100 5,546
(1) Includes crops, fallow land and grass under five years old
(2) Includes arable land, grass over five years old and rough grazing
When compared to the figures for the various agricultural production
categories outlined in the table above, the 30 ha of potential agriculture
land at Meikle Ley is equivalent to 0.18%.
Having assessed these results it is clear that there would be no significant
impact on the critical mass of the local agricultural industry. In summary
there would still be sufficient capacity locally to sustain the ongoing success
of agriculture in the area and additionally the downstream dependent
industries in the area.
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Furthermore, tree planting will be very beneficial for the local economy
producing quality timbers and firewood. This will also help the government
objectives to be reached, increasing woodland areas and more specifically
broadleaf resource over the country.
2.5 Landscape and land use
2.5.1 Landscape character and value
Map 11: Meikle Ley topography.
According to the south and central Aberdeenshire landscape character
assessment (LCA) carried out by SNH, Meikle Ley lies within an area
categorised as moorland plateaux. It is essentially a transition landscape
between the high mountains of the Cairngorms and the low farms of the
north east Coastlands and shares many characteristic with both. The
character area comprises a series of moorland spurs that extent from the
central massive of the Cairngorms into the farmland landscape of Garioch
and Formatine. These spurs form an interrelated system of highland ridges
and peaks which include various promontories such as Bennachie. Meikle
Ley is agricultural landscape livestock farming within small enclosed fields.
This site has no woodland cover but is adjacent to forest of Corrennie which
is also part of the national forest estate.
Meikle Ley is located within a large scale landscape with a simple vegetation
pattern and mainly a rural population. It is a landscape where visual
diversity is somewhat limited. Some forms of landscape change would offer
opportunities for enhancement, particularly adding broadleaf woodlands.
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
It is considered that woodland creation on Meikle Ley would improve the
overall landscape by increasing the diversity of tree species and age
structure and thus diversifying both landscape texture and colour. However,
Meikle Ley is not very visible from the road and the surrounding area. When
planting trees, the only visible part of the plantation will be located at the
bottom of the slope. Therefore, the new plantation, fenceline and buffer
zones along powerlines will not have a significant impact in the landscape.
However, at a local scale due consideration will be given to the lines of site
and shading of neighbouring properties. The creation of the woodland will
fill in the existing open gap within the surrounding woodland and even
improve the landscape.
2.5.2 Neighbouring land use
The aerial photograph below shows how Meikle Ley is almost completely
surrounded by forests or fields.
Map 12: Aerial view of Meikle Ley
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
2.6 Social factors
2.6.1 Recreation
No paths or tracks cross over Meikle Ley.
The main focus for recreation in this area of Moray and Aberdeenshire
forest district is at Bennachie, Corrennie and Pitfichie forest. These areas
have a number of waymarked walks and mountain bike trails.
2.6.2 Community
The surrounding area is largely made up of scattered homes and farms
rather than specific villages. The larger population centre of Alford is
located a few miles to the west.
The community council for this area is the one of Cluny. Views from this
community council and other members of the local community have been
sought during the preparation of the plan. Letters were written to
neighbours, both contiguous and in the local vicinity and statutory
consultees.
Our consultation record can be seen in appendix 2. The issues raised
during the information gathering process will be taken into account and
used to establish the objectives for the site in drawing up the land
management proposals (see section 4).
2.6.3 Heritage
According to Historic Scotland’s records there are no historic environment
assets of national importance within the site. However there are 2 non-
scheduled monuments in and along the site (see map 13 below). These
monuments have been identified as being a farm stead and an associated
building with a garden enclosure between the buildings. These upstanding
remain will be left as a single area of open ground, with a minimum
unplanted buffer of 8 meters around the group of visible remains.
A certain number of stone dykes are also present in the site. The new
planting located at 5 meters from the stone dykes.
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Map 13: Non-scheduled monuments on the site.
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
3. Analysis and Concept
3.1 Analysis and concept table
The information gathered in the previous section (2.0 - Background
information) has been analysed for its relevance to the plan. This has
informed the design concept plan which is based on the land management
objectives (section 1.3).
The results of this process are presented in the table below. This has been
set out against the national themes of the FES strategic directions
document and the issues highlighted in the Moray & Aberdeenshire
strategic plan.
Theme-
priority
Key
Commitments
District specific
Action
Analysis Proposed
Action
Healthy
(Medium)
We will help the
Estate adapt to
climate change
and become more
resilient to
pressure.
The District will
continually make
good use of
Ecological Site
Classification (Esc)
to closely fit species
to sites, and take
into account the
anticipated effects of
climate change.
The climate of the
site is predicted to
change in the
future.
Use ESC and its’
built in predicted
future climate
models to help
guide the
selection of
species suitable
for planting.
We intend to
manage at least a
quarter of our
expanding
broadleaf
woodlands to
produce quality
hardwoods and
woodfuel.
We will increase our
productive broadleaf
resource by planting
a further 700ha by
2019.
Where economically
viable, we will
actively manage our
broadleaf resource
to secure
silvicultural
improvement and
commercial return.
This plan area has
been identified as
having potential to
establishing
productive
broadleaves, to
growing hardwood
quality timber and
producing
woodfuel.
Plant
broadleaves and
manage them to
secure
silviculture
improvement
and commercial
return.
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
Productive
We will support
the Scottish
Government’s
woodland
expansion policy.
Through appropriate
acquisitions, we will
help deliver Scottish
Government
woodland expansion
targets in
accordance with the
Woodland Expansion
Advisory Group
report.
Meikle Ley can
contribute to the
Scottish
Government’s
woodland
expansion target
of 10,000 ha per
year.
Identify areas
where land can
be removed from
agriculture with
minimal impact
and plant with
trees that will
expand the
woodland cover
in the area.
Cared For
We are committed
to maintaining the
best open habitats
in good ecological
condition.
The District will
continue to review
all open ground
management on a
regular basis to
ensure it is
appropriate.
Meikle Ley
presents some
interesting open
habitat situated
for example
around
watercourses.
Identify the best
open areas for
their biodiversity
and
environmental
value; maintain
or enhance their
ecological
condition.
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4. Land Management Proposals
See future habitats and species map
4.1 Existing woodland
A survey of the existing vegetation types at Meikle Ley has been completed.
No existing woodland was identified on the site.
However, Forestry Commission’s Corrennie forest block is located adjacent
to the site. These woodlands have been visited in order to identify species
growing in the area and also to identify potential species to plant at Meikle
Ley. Species growing well around the site include; beech, birch, rowan
scots pine, larch, and sitka spruce.
4.2 New woodland
In Total, 7 different species will be planted across the site (18 ha of
broadleaves). The dominant species will be Sycamore covering 9.7 ha of the
site, followed by Alder covering 3.9 ha and scots pine covering 3.1 ha (see
Table and Figures below).
Sp Area
Sycamore 9.73
Open 5.44
Alder 3.93
Scots pine 3.12
Aspen 2.43
S. spruce 2.27
Willow 1.13
Birch 0.78
Table and Figure above: Proportion of species and open spaces on the site.
The ground preparation for the new planting will be either done by
mounding, scarifying or with a machine planter. The ground preparation
techniques will have to be chosen in order to comply with the UK Forestry
Standard Guidelines and to reach the objectives of the plan.
No fertilisers will be used for this area as the soil resource is sufficient to
provide enough nutrients for the selected species.
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Herbicides might be used in order to limit weed competition particularly
during the first 2 years after plantation. This will be done in compliance with
the UK forestry standards guidelines.
No fertilisers and herbicides will be used within the watercourse buffer zone.
4.2.1 Riparian woodland
Groups of 25 trees will be planted in cluster along the watercourse in order
to create dappled shade within a minimum of 20 meters buffer zone. The
spacing between each tree will be between 1.5 to 2 meters and be detailed
at a work plan stage just like the density. No chemicals such as herbicides
will be used within the buffer zone area along the watercourse.
Riparian woodland can be used to stabilise river and stream banks and help
prevent pollution from reaching watercourses, as well as improve water
quality and fresh water habitats. Riparian woodland can also contribute to
flood plain management.
The species will need to be flood tolerant so will be a mix of alder and
willow. Open or partially wooded conditions along the watercourses are
important. Half the length of the watercourse will be left open to sunlight
with the remainder in dappled shade. To achieve this 50% of the total area
will be planted with trees.
4.2.2 Broadleaved woodland
With the quality of the soils being classified as poor/medium and wet to
moist this allows us to select a range of species that includes sycamore,
aspen, birch, alder and willow to produce timber and / or firewood. The
areas composed of sycamore, aspen and pure alder will aim to produce a
high quality timber.
With productivity being a key objective of this plan leads to the choice of
Sycamore as the main. The planting pattern used will aim to produce
quality Timber for the sycamore and alder areas. The gross planting density
will be located between 3 000 to 5 000 trees / ha. The net planting density
will be lower as a rack system will be implemented at the plantation stage.
This system will aim to facilitate the future management of the forest
including forks removal, pruning, tending, thinning and felling. It will also
facilitate deer culling as the racks can be used as shooting corridors. The
rack system will also encourage the public to visit the forest as it will be
able to walk through the woodland. The extraction racks will be used for
several rotations if not “forever” and will therefore decrease the impact of
the machines on soil compaction as well as the impact of the racks in the
landscape as they will be overhang by tree crowns within few years
(appendix 3).
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Meikle Ley LMP / Antoine Le Pretre – FES / 2016
The areas of new broadleaf planting will all be protected from damage from
deer, hares and rabbits by fencing the site, including the open ground
except part of the conifer woodland (see below 4.2.3). Deer, hare and
rabbit proof gates will be installed in the fence at the appropriate access
points (See future species map). The fence will be put up at least 4 meters
back from the existing dykes on the site as the deer can use the dykes to
jump over the fence. It will be 2 meters back from any existing fences
shared with the neighbourhood. Watergates will be set up where deer fence
crosses over the watercourse. The new planting will also be 2 meters back
from the deer fence. The fence will be 1.6 to 1.8 meters height. If needed,
more deer / rabbit control will be undertaken by our wildlife management
team or contractors.
4.2.3 Conifer woodland
The existing Scots pine crop running along the south of the boundary of the
site is growing very well and already produces a good timber quality. The
soils are a bit drier and lighter in the south and west of the site and are
therefore suitable to grow a good quality Scots pine crop. Therefore, conifer
woodland composed of Scots pine will be planted in the South of Meikle Ley.
20% Birch will be planted along with Scots pine in an intimate mixture in
order to increase diversity and environment quality. The Gross planting
density will be close to 3000 trees / ha.
Sitka spruce will be planted on the north slope of the site. Existing crops of
Sitka are already showing very good growth rate along this slope. Also, this
area will not be fenced as the deer would be able to jump over a fence if put
up in the middle of the slope. Therefore, Sitka spruce is also the most
resilient species to deer damage without fencing.
4.3 Open ground
The priorities for open ground are to retain those areas with a high habitat
value and keep open areas around neighbouring properties to prevent a loss
of their views and creating excessive shading. Open area will also be located
around the powerlines (as a 6.5 meters buffer zone on each side) and the
non-scheduled monuments. No particular management will be undertaken
within the open ground areas unless there is a danger with vegetation
growing under powerlines for example or if future natural processes do not
comply with the LMP’s objectives.
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Appendices
APPENDIX 1 – THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL CONTEXT OF MEIKLE LEY. ..... 26
APPENDIX 2 – CONSULTATION RECORD ..................................... 31
APPENDIX 3 – PLANTATION SCHEME MEIKLE LEY .......................... 33
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Appendix 1 – The national and local context of
Meikle Ley.
National context
Meikle Ley was purchased to support the objectives of the Scottish
Government as set out in “The role of Scotland’s National Forest
Estate and strategic directions 2013-2016”. This document describes
the role of and strategic directions for Scotland’s National Forest Estate
(NFE).
The NFE is one of the biggest opportunities for the Scottish Government to
directly implement the principals laid out in its Land Use Strategy. The
Land Use Strategy aims to deliver multiple benefits from Scotland’s
countryside. Meikle Ley, as part of the NFE, provides an opportunity to
implement the Scottish Government’s climate change commitments by
harnessing the ability of trees to sequester carbon. It can provide additional
environmental services including contributing to flood mitigation and
ensuring the NFE, and its biodiversity, is robust and able to adapt to future
climate change.
Within this context the role of the NFE can be described in terms of the
services it has the potential to provide:
• Supporting services such as primary production, nutrient dispersal and
cycling;
• Provisioning services such as timber, food (farmed and wild), water,
minerals, energy (hydropower, wind energy and biomass fuels);
• Regulating services such as carbon sequestration and climate regulation,
flood management, purification of water and air, detoxification of
contaminated sites and biological reservoirs for crop pollination and pest
and disease control;
• Cultural services around recreational experiences, cultural, intellectual
and spiritual inspiration and scientific advancement.
he role of Scotland’s National Forest Estate and strategic directions 2013-2016
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fesplans
Getting the best from our land – A land use strategy for Scotland -
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Countryside/Landusestrategy
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The Rationale for Woodland Expansion lays out the Scottish
Government’s thinking on how woodland expansion can best increase the
delivery of public benefits from Scotland’s land. The document identifies a
number of woodland creation priorities for Scotland:
Helping to tackle greenhouse gas emissions. Carbon sequestration,
timber and fuel production.
Restoring lost habitats and adapting to climate change. Forest habitat
networks and new native woodlands.
Helping to manage ecosystem services. Sustainable flood
management and protection of soil and water resources.
Underpinning a sustainable forest products industry. Consistent and
reliable timber supply for timber processing and wood fuel
investments.
Supporting rural development. Supporting local businesses and farm
diversification.
Providing community benefits. Provision of welcoming and well-
managed woodlands in and around communities and where health
and community need is greatest.
Enhancing urban areas and improving landscapes. Improving
derelict, underused and neglected land, improving degraded or
unsightly environments and diversifying farmed landscapes.
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places a specific duty on
all public bodies to further the conservation of biodiversity and to have
regard to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. That strategy, published in
2004, aims to achieve by 2030 a landscape where, amongst other things:
"Organisms can move, feed, reproduce and disperse effectively, and are
better able to adapt to changing circumstances of land use and climate
change".
Habitat networks are one of the main ways identified to achieve this.
Habitat networks are patches of habitat that are physically or functionally
connected, so that dependent species are able to move and/or disperse
between patches to create interlinked populations. The development of
networks should increase the resilience of species populations to threats,
which is especially important for species which are slow colonisers and/or
those living in small fragmented populations.
-
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-7FWEQ5
Scottish Biodiversity Strategy -
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/05/19366/37239
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Networks should help wildlife adapt to climate change, both by encouraging
more robust populations that can survive change in situ, and by making it
easier for species to colonise new areas if current sites become unsuitable.
The predicted pace of climate change means that networks will need to be
developed and functioning over the next few decades to relieve the growing
pressures on our wildlife.
As there are no specific national policies for agriculture in Scotland it is
difficult to link the management of the agricultural elements at Meikle Ley
to an overarching national strategy. However the background to the
industry is that livestock numbers have been dropping since 2005. This is
as a direct result of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). With CAP
currently under review it is not possible to know what impact this could
have on the future for the agricultural industry in Scotland.
Local context
The strategic directions document for the NFE was published in 2013 and
lays out in broad terms the story of, nature of, and vision for the
NFE. District strategic plan is the next level down in the planning
framework. These set out at the district level how different parts of the
local NFE will contribute to the national picture. The new Strategic Plan
for Moray & Aberdeenshire District has recently completed public
consultation.
The Strategic Plan for Moray & Aberdeenshire will drive our Land
Management Plans (LMP) and integrate varied land management priorities
to maximise public benefit, and optimise ecosystem service provision.
Ecosystem services include such varied objectives as conserving vulnerable
species, to maintaining a supply of timber and biomass, and providing the
largest area for recreational provision in Scotland.
-
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/fesplans
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SNH, in partnership with local authorities and other agencies have carried
out a National Programme of Landscape Character Assessment. This
programme aims to improve knowledge and understanding of the
contribution that landscape makes to the natural heritage of Scotland. It
considers the likely pressures and opportunities for change in the
landscape, assesses the sensitivity of the landscape to change and includes
guidelines indicating how landscape character may be conserved, enhanced
or restructured as appropriate.
Aberdeenshire Council has a Forest and Woodland Strategy
The key aim of the strategy is:
To ensure the sustainable management of the woodlands and forests of
Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City, creating a balanced landscape where
woodlands and forests, add to people’s quality of life and wellbeing,
contribute to the local economy, provide opportunities for recreation and
tourism and protect and enhance biodiversity and the environment.
This means:
encouraging multi-benefit forestry in new planting and through re-
structuring
balancing forestry against other land uses
protecting sensitive areas; and
identifying priority areas for expansion of a variety of forest and
woodland types
-
http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/natural/trees/forest_strategy05.pdf
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The section on creating new woods and forests states that:
Identifying priority areas where woodland expansion might be targeted is a
key role of this Strategy. Looking at the whole forest resource in the North
East, it should be possible to achieve benefits to landscape, habitat and
recreation whilst producing commercial timber. Whilst expecting a range of
proposals for new planting to come forward, specific types of new planting
are encouraged by this Strategy to work towards the aims identified.
Although woodland is an important feature of the North East, the total area
of woodland (14%) is low compared with many of our European neighbours
where woodland cover is often greater than 30%.
Moray Council has recently withdrawn its forestry strategy due to its age
and it has no plans to replace it in the short term.
Feedback from stakeholders and the local community has been sought
via written correspondence.
Letters were written to all known neighbours, both contiguous and in the
local vicinity, all known local interest groups and statutory consultees.
The results of the feedback received are presented in appendix 2.
Appendix 2 – Consultation record
Statutory Consultee Date contacted Date
response received
Issue raised Forest District Response
SNH 18 August 2015 By e-mail
18 August 2015 By e-mail
Thank you for your consultation. There being no protected areas nearby likely to be affected, we shall be making no response on this occasion.
No response required
RSPB 18 August 2015 By e-mail
17 September 2015 by e-mail
Thank you for consulting RSPB Scotland on the Meikle Lay Land Management Plan. We do not hold bird records for this particular area although as it is currently agricultural land there is the possibility that there may be farmland waders, such as lapwing, oystercatcher or curlew. Farmland passerines such as yellowhammer and linnets are also likely to be present.
However, if the area does not hold significant number of these species then the introduction of native broadleaves that are subsequently managed could potentially provide benefits for a range of woodland bird species. I would be interested in seeing the draft plan for this area, when completed.
The woodland proposed for the site includes both open space and native broadleaves.
SEPA 18 August 2015 By e-mail
This consultation is below the threshold where we would provide bespoke advice. Please therefore refer to Advice for the Forestry Commission Scotland and forest managers on how and when to consult SEPA including standing advice for small scale felling and planting applications and forest plans. General advice on forestry in relation to our interests can be found on the Forestry page of our website.
No response required
Cluny, Midmar, Monymusk Community Council
18 August 2015 By e-mail
Thanks for your communication, I have circulated it to the community councillors for their information, if there are any comments I will let you know.
No response required
NFU 18 August 2015
By e-mail
No reply to date
SGRPID 18 August 2015 By post
No reply to date
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STFA 18 August 2015 By post
No reply to date
SSE 18 August 2015 By post
24 August 2015 Thank you for the opportunity to comment on any issues we may have affecting Meikle Ley. I have forwarded your correspondence to the concerned person who will review and provide comment in due course.
No response required
CONFOR 18 August 2015 By e-mail
August 2015 The land appears to lie in well with other neighbouring FCS property, in an area well suited to producing productive conifer crops. As such Confor trusts that the maximum possible area will be devoted to productive conifers, principally Sitka spruce.
We will consider all the possibilities for the management of Meikle Ley regarding our national and local strategic plan, the consultation feedbacks and the ecological conditions of the site.
Historic Scotland February 2016 February 2016 As you note, a single SMR entry records the remains (visible on aerial photographs) of a farmstead (Greenfolds) and associated building (Glenhead) with a garden enclosure between the buildings, all as depicted on the OS 1st and 2nd edition maps. (The SMR polygon has now been amended to encompass all of these features). These upstanding remains should be left as a single area of open ground, with a minimum unplanted buffer of 8m around the group of visible remains.
A buffer zone will be left between the monuments and the new plantation.
Neighbour 18 August 2015 By post
Visited on 8 October 2015
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss the plans that the Forestry Commission have for this area of land. I have a water supply along the management area. This neighbour was visited and the objectives of the plan have been explained to him. He was happy with the project but also preferred to keep the fields open.
We will consider all the possibilities for the management of Meikle Ley regarding our strategic plan, the consultation feedbacks and the ecological conditions of the site. Open space will be left around existing houses in order to keep the views from there.
.
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Appendix 3 – Plantation scheme Meikle Ley for sycamore and alder areas