A FARMER and forestry business owner’s plan for a 43 hectare forest on the edge of the Pentland Hills was discussed at a meeting last week.

West Linton Community Council (WLCC) received a draft proposal from Gavin Marshall, of Baddinsgill Farm, for a planting of mixed conifers and broad leaved trees on 416m Faw Mount above the Lyne Water.

The planting will be 17.23 per cent of broadleaves – birch, rowan, alder, willow, sycamore and Norway maple; 7.65 per cent of diverse conifers – Scots pine, European larch and Norway spruce; and 59.94 per cent Sitka price, with 15.18 per cent of the area remaining as open ground.

Part of the proposal would possibly be eligible for the Forestry Grant Scheme, from Scottish Forestry and Mr Marshall has submitted his plans but they were returned for further consultations although he is hopeful planting could start later this year.

Much of the area would be enclosed by a deer fence although the proposal states that gates will be installed at all intersections with existing footpaths.

The proposal stated that the aim of the planting is to create “an area of woodland which will meet varied requirements” including: diversity for the farm enterprise; a significant area of broad-leaved trees to act as a carbon store; to enhance the landscape with a diversity of species; to retain and protect all existing footpaths and rights of way; to provide a diverse habitat for plants and wildlife and a future supply of timber from the commercial element.

Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Marshall said: “I have applied to the Forestry Grant Scheme and under its terms one has to consult fairly widely which I have done.

“We would hope to be doing the planting in 2024 if we get approval.

“I have said I will go to the next WLCC meeting in February and answer any questions.

“I would like to think that the scheme has been designed very much in keeping with current thinking about climate change and the need for further trees in the environment.

“It is very much intended to go along with current thinking on good practice on land management.”

WLCC member Ann Cumber said: “This is a big area and it will be quite prominent on the hillside.

“We are not going to see the trees at the start but we are definitely going to see the deer fence.”

WLCC member Doug Veitch was concerned about the possibility of nitrates being pumped into the ground to encourage fast growth of the conifers.

The proposal stated that ground preparation “will be restricted to mowing of existing vegetation and shallow mechanical screefing” which is removal of the top layer to expose mineral soil below.

It is also proposed that an area of broad leaved trees, close to the farm, will be planted in conjunction with children from West Linton Primary School, in a project supported by Peebles Rotary Club.