Public view sought over wood plan

The council said 2,000 trees had been lost in Kinneil Woods

Plans to replant areas within two popular woodlands near Falkirk are to be considered by the public.

Falkirk Council said action was needed after storm damage and an ill-conceived design resulted in 2,000 trees in the historic Kinneil Woods being lost.

The authority is also looking to clear vegetation and improve access to the Antonine Wall at Polmont Woods.

The Roman-built structure, linking Bo'ness to Old Kirkpatrick, was given World Heritage status in July.

In Kinneil, the woodland forms part of the Kinneil Estate and has been in existence since the 18th Century.

The area is owned by Falkirk Council, which has brought in the environmental charity Central Scotland Forest Trust (CSFT) to develop a management plan for the site.

The recent announcement regarding World Heritage Site status for the Wall means there's growing interest in visiting this area Cllr Adrian Mahoney

They found that little or no cultivation of the ground had been carried out after the modern conifer woodland was planted in 1929.

As a result, tall, thin, unstable trees grew in Kinneil Woods.

They also discovered that little light was getting through to lower level plants and was affecting the wood's diversity.

While meeting have already been held into the changes proposed for the woodland, plans detailing the proposals are going on show in the Bo'ness Recreation Centre, Bo'ness Library and Kinneil Museum.

'More suitable'

Adrian Mahoney, convener of environment and heritage at Falkirk Council, said: "With over 2000 trees lost in the past five years due to high winds, it is clear we need to take action to protect Kinneil Woods.

"Poor management has left us with a legacy to deal with and new proposals have been designed to protect the woodland for future generations.

"We're keen to hear people's views and try - where possible - to include these ideas into the final plan."

Public meetings into the changes for Polmont Woods will take place at the Greenpark Community and Education Centre on Friday 19 September and Thursday 25 September.

Cllr Mahoney said that proposed work to fell trees in the wood had been scaled back after input from locals.

He added: "Hopefully these revised proposals will be more acceptable to residents.

"The recent announcement regarding World Heritage Site status for the Wall means there's growing interest in visiting this area.

"Hopefully - working with the public - we can finalise proposals to improve these woodlands and make them more suitable and more accessible for local people and visitors alike."