Efforts to improve the environment of the Western Isles by planting woodlands received a double boost today.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) launched a new woodland strategy to guide woodland development in the islands - and the Scottish Executive announced a special new grant to help islanders plant new woodlands.
The new grant is called a Locational Premium and will make available £450,000 over the next three years to encourage people to plant the types of woodland identified in the strategy. It will be paid as a top-up to the standard grants available from the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme (SFGS), which is administered by Forestry Commission Scotland.
A project officer will also be appointed to progress the strategy. Based in the Western Isles and jointly funded with the Commission, the officer will help landowners and crofters apply for the grant, involve communities in woodlands and look at training needs.
Forestry Minister Allan Wilson said,
"The Western Isles, with their strong winds and rugged, maritime climate, are a part of Scotland where even quite small areas of well sited new woodlands can make a real difference to the environment and improve people's lives in many of the ways we have identified in our Scottish Forestry Strategy.
"I therefore congratulate the Council on this excellent new local strategy, which identifies where different types of woodlands will provide the benefits that we want local people to enjoy from trees, woods and forests. It captures the considerable enthusiasm shown by the people of the Western Isles for trees and woodlands.
"I am also delighted that the Executive can support the Strategy with a locational supplement. These grants have proved popular in other high-priority regions where we have made them available in support of local woodland strategies, notably Shetland and Orkney, where the environmental challenges facing woodland managers are very similar to those in the Western Isles. Indeed, I am pleased to hear that links between woodland interests in the three island groups are developing to share experience and expertise.
"The supplement is only available while funds last, so I recommend that interested crofters and landowners start talking to their woodland advisers as soon as possible."
The Western Isles Locational Supplement is expected to stimulate the planting of about 210 hectares (518 acres) of new woodland over the next three years, and the rates it will pay are:
£2800 per hectare up to 3ha for small-scale planting to improve the diversity of the farmed and crofting landscape;
£1500 per hectare for larger plantings to improve landscape diversity on common grazings;
£600 per hectare for "enrichment" planting and landscape improvements to existing woods, on a trial basis;
£800 per hectare to expand the area of native woodland; and
£800 per hectare to improve riparian (waterside) habitat.
Councillor Archie Campbell, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's chairman of Sustainable Development, added,
"Our woodland strategy sets out a clear route for the development of woodlands in the islands. It has been the subject of extensive consultation throughout the Western Isles and, I believe, takes account of the many issues that were raised by all those with an interest in woodlands, particularly the views of many local people.
"The strategy aims to deliver the successful development and management of woodlands in the Western Isles that will not only improve the environment, but also bring economic and recreational benefits.
"I am also delighted that the Scottish Executive has announced the Locational Premium for the Western Isles, which will help to deliver the strategy through targeted grants for those interested in woodland planting. I would certainly urge all those with an interest in woodland development to contact the Comhairle or Forestry Commission Scotland for further information."
People interested in applying for the grants should contact Donald Macleod of the Forestry Commission Scotland, telephone 01349 862144, fax: 01349 866624; e-mail: donald.macleod@forestry.gsi.gov.uk