bi3 Autumn/Winter 2020

forestry
forestry
l John, Ben and
Matthew pictured
at the Branziet Burn
waterfalls in front of
the Linn Caves.
Inevitably, the different
perspectives from each of
these stakeholders raised more
issues along with suggestions
on how to address them.
“However, the time we spent
gathering detailed information
was well worth the effort as
it has resulted in a woodland
that has managed to balance
the environmental, social and
economic elements required
to deliver a more sustainable
project ensuring the benefits
are experienced not just by our
family business but the local
and wider community as
well.
“The application was finally
approved in June 2020 with
the process having started
in earnest in February 2019.
While this site is admittedly
more complex than some,
it clearly demonstrates why
it’s vital to have expert advice
when embarking on any
planting scheme.”
ell Ingram’s Gregor
Dalziell has been closely
Binvolved in the Blairskaith
project from the beginning
and believes that clear and
speedy communication with
all stakeholders is key to
delivering woodland projects.
He adds: “A good example
of this is that we were able
to map the site using QGIS
technology which meant
that any amendments could
quickly be added to the digital
plan then fired back to all
interested parties immediately.
It’s a huge advantage to be
able to map the area to the
modern standards required by
Scottish Forestry. That makes
a massive difference to the
success of the project.
“Employing a rural professional
services firm like Bell Ingram
to deliver your woodland
project means that you don’t
just have access to our expert
forestry team but to wide
range of specialists whose land
management experience and
expertise spans everything
from QGIS mapping to grant
applications, planning to AMC
funding.”
l John pictured at the
bridal path sign.
" Community
engagement is
a big part of our
vision for the
Forest. "
So what’s next for the
Hillhead Forest project?
Matthew Imrie says: “Community engagement is a big
part of our vision for the Forest. There is already a bridle path
through the farm which links Milngavie to Lennoxtown, and
we plan to add gates and access points at certain locations to
allow the public to walk through the forest and up to the trig
point to enjoy the stunning views north to Ben Lomond and
south over the city of Glasgow.
“We want to develop the social/environmental aspects of
the scheme by involving the community at the planting
stage. Our aim is to encourage people to connect with
their environment, while empowering them to research,
experiment and engage with their local landscape and flora.
“We are also keen to develop partnerships with our local
schools using the Forest as an educational resource to bridge
the gap between how young people in our urban areas see
our countryside compared with those that live and work in it.”
However, the long-term success of projects like Hillhead
Forest is ultimately down to its potential to generate an
income.
Matthew concludes: “For many farmers forestry is becoming
an increasingly important part of their income stream. The
sector is exceptionally buoyant at present with investors
taking advantage of current tax and grant regimes, as well
as the opportunities offered by carbon credits. We’ll certainly
be exploring carbon credits at Hillhead, not just to make our
Forest economically viable, but as an important part of efforts
to tackle climate change.”
Find out more about small scale woodland schemes at
www.bellingram.co.uk
Woodland is a tax-efficient &
climate-friendly investment
4 bi2019 winter winter bi2019 5
8 bi2020 autumn ❘ ❘ winter autumn ❘ ❘ winter bi2020 9
W
ith positive news in short supply
across much of the UK’s business
landscape, it’s encouraging to
report that forestry is faring better than
many sectors as we continue to navigate
the challenges of the Covis-19 crisis.
The pandemic doesn’t appear to have
negatively affected land values and
sustainably produced timber continues to
outperform commercial property, bonds
and equities, making it a solid, long-term
investment.
For those looking for quicker returns,
new woodlands still qualify under the
agricultural Basic Payment Scheme and
applicants can secure grant funding
via the Scottish Rural Development
Programme towards the cost of planting.
Most encouragingly, however, government
tree planting targets have opened up a
raft of new opportunities with landowners
now able to generate extra income from
woodland creation by selling the rights
to the carbon captured by newly planted
trees.
Scotland’s farms in particular are ripe for
low-carbon practices while woodland is
both a climate-friendly and tax-efficient
investment. The rural sector can breathe
life into the green recovery by investing in
sustainable farming and forestry.
We are currently working with a wide
cross section of rural businesses to
align their forestry programmes with
this post-Covid landscape and the new
trends in demand. So, whether you are
exploring alternative land uses or need
help to understand the grant process,
we can help you with all aspects of your
woodland strategy.
ell Ingram’s highly experienced
forestry team operates across
BScotland and Northern England
managing hundreds of acres of UK forests
for landowners, farmers and commercial
investors.
Working closely with colleagues from Bell
Ingram’s other specialist teams, including
renewables, planning, tourism, rural
agency and rural land management, our
forest managers offer the whole package
of expert and impartial management
advice to help you get the most from your
assets.
Bell Ingram’s dedicated team
of specialists provides the
following forestry services:
● Forest Management
● Woodland Creation
● Tree Safety Reports and Survey
● Forest & Woodland Sales and
Valuations
● GIS Mapping and Drone Surveys
● Forestry Investment
➤ All our Forestry Managers are
accredited members of the Institute for
Chartered Foresters.
For more information please contact
Stuart McArtney on 01738 621 121 or
check out our website
www.bellingram.co.uk/forestry