Stewartry communities give mixed response to "visitor masterplan" for Dalbeattie Forest

Colvend, Kippford and Rockcliffe residents have given a mixed response to a “visitor masterplan” for Dalbeattie Forest.

Around 120 people packed into Colvend Public Hall on Monday evening to have their say on the Forestry and Land Scotland scheme.

According to Colvend and Southwick Community Council vice-chairman Simon Pain, there was general support for extending woodland trails between Dalbeattie and Colvend for walkers, cyclists and horse access.

But a proposal for a holiday cabins development on Mark Hill above Kippford met with a hostile reception.

Describing the meeting as “very lively”, Mr Pain said: “Colvend Public Hall was absolutely bursting at the seams.

“There were around 120 people there – for a very small community that is a serious turnout.

“We quickly became aware that it was a pretty emotive issue among residents here.

“As a result of that we arranged at three days notice the meeting for Monday evening.”

Laura-Anne Innes, FLS’ recreation and visitor services manager and national visitor services manager Stuart Chalmers attended the meeting.

Mr Pain described plans to connect the footpath in Dalbeattie‘s Town Wood with Richorn and the 7stanes mountain biking centre and most of FLS’ proposals as “non-contentious”.

He said: “However, the real bone of contention was Mark Hill Wood.

“There was almost 100 per cent agreement about not supporting the proposals.

“The really big issue was the plan to install perhaps 50 cabins there.

“There’s no access or services – water, waste water or electricity would all need to be put in.

“And there was a very strong feeling that Mark Hill Wood should be retained as a nature sanctuary.

Mr Pain added: “The main access to the cabins would be off the A710 at a bad corner and poor sight lines.

“Fifty cabins would mean a lot of traffic in and out.

“People live here primarily for the peace and quiet – and they felt that was going to be an issue.”

The community council’s Roddy Morriss chaired the meeting and asked for a show of hands on the cabins plan.

Mr Pain said: “It was almost unanimous that there was no support for the Mark Hill part of these plans.

“The two people from FLS took that on board – they could see there was huge opposition to this.”

An FLS spokesperson said: “Dalbeattie and the surrounding area offers a range of forest and coastal activities and the sustainable development of Dalbeattie Forest and Mark Hill, including the 7stanes, has the potential to generate more opportunities to support the local rural economy and help more people connect with nature.

“Achieving the best results for the longer term will need a collaborative effort and these public meetings are an opportunity for us to get a wide range of views and ideas to help shape the long-term vision and potential in this area. We are delighted at the enthusiasm from the neighbouring community regarding the woodlands and this will help us re-shape our initial ideas.

“ We recognise, from the public response, that any proposed development of Mark Hill will need to be considered further as part of the next stage.

“To ensure we give time to gather all the feedback we are extending the public consultation on our Dalbeattie and Mark Hill visitor vision until July 14.”