Residents from Shotts, Allanton and Hartwood were invited along to a drop-in event this week to help inform the design of new woodland in the area.
Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) extended the invite to the local community to attend the event at Hartwood Home Farm.
The farm was purchased by FLS in 2020 with the aim of establishing a new multipurpose woodland delivering timber production, carbon capture, biodiversity value, as well as community and social benefits.
FLS is now developing a Land Management Plan (LMP) that will detail the design of the new woodland and outline site management activities for a period of 10 years.
Sandy Davidson, planning forester for FLS, said: “At this early stage in the process, we are seeking views and ideas from local communities to help inform the design of the new woodland and the overall management of the site.
“We’re looking to get as much feedback as possible.
“We hope that everyone with an interest will get involved and help shape the new woodland.”
Following the community engagement, a Land Management Plan for the area will be developed and there will be a period of formal stakeholder consultation towards the end of the year.
A spokesperson for Forestry and Land Scotland added: “We were pleased to welcome so many local people at the community engagement event at Hartwood Home Farm on Monday. The local community who came along were interested in giving their views on the future plans for the site.
"Over the next few months our planner will work on a plan for how the site will be developed. Once this is been developed, we will hold further community events to consult on the final plan.”
For anyone who was unable to attend the drop-in but would like to have their say, all the information provided at the event and a feedback form is available at: forestryandland.gov.scot/what-we-do/planning/consultations/hartwood-home-farm-lmp
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