Public could be locked out of Ayrshire woodland

Jan 23 2009 by Lisa Boyle

THE PUBLIC could be locked out of Ayrshire’s woodland areas.

Plans to privatise massive amounts of Forestry Commission land could see ramblers, cyclists and anglers banned from accessing some of Ayrshire’s most peaceful areas.

And the proposals by the Scottish Government have sparked outrage among Forestry Commission workers who fear for their jobs and for the long term future of Ayrshire’s forests.

As part of a review into climate change, the Government are proposing to lease a quarter of the forestry estate for 75 years, reportedly to American investors.

One concerned Forestry Commission worker told the Post: “This land is an asset of the Scottish people which is effectively being sold off.

“It could easily see the access code going down the drain. Private companies may decide that people are no longer free to roam.

“Obviously there is concern about jobs among the workforce. Our contracts will have to be honoured for two years but then they could start making unreasonable terms and if we don’t agree to them then we would be deemed to have terminated our contract.”

There are also fears that the 25 per cent to be leased out initially could be increased over the years.

The worker continued: “If the private companies make a good profit from the land then they’ll come back for more, and if the Scottish Government are also making money out of the deal then after a couple of years they’ll lease out another wee five per cent and then another wee five per cent.

“The Scottish people will be left with very little control over their own land.”

As well as fears about tourism and jobs, Ayrshire farmers could also be affected by the move, since they rely on forest rangers for the control of vermin in the area.

Cathy Jamieson met with forestry workers based at Straiton to discuss their fears.

She said: “I have serious concerns this will lead to the effective privatisation of some of Scotland’s most valuable forests. The cash made from selling these valuable assets will be at the expense of future years’ income and investment, as timber is sold by the private investor and not the government.

“The present forestry commission infrastructure has an important part to play in many remote and rural communities in Ayrshire. The very viability of many small rural communities, their schools and village shops, will be at risk if this privatisation goes ahead.”

Log onto www.saveourforests.org.uk to sign an online petition against the proposals.

An ongoing public consultation ends on January 31.