Update on Forestry Felling Plans

Following the storm damage to the lower half of Balloch Wood, Forest & Land Scotland (FLS) have proposed that the felling of this area be brought forward from 2037 to 2025-26.

After the work indicated below has been completed all of Balloch Wood would become Amenity Woodland.

Referring to the coloured areas in the above map, received from Forestry & Land Scotland.

• The red area around the ponds.
  FLS plan to remove fallen windblown trees from this area.

• The yellow roadside strip between the FLS storage site and the ponds. We would prefer that limited felling be done here, as it provides a route for squirrels.
  Though clearing the fallen trees across the unofficial path, that used to run alongside the burn, would be welcomed. This path used to lead to the wooden bridge, which washed away some years ago

• The brown existing felled area. This is to be tidied up and replanted with native broadleaf trees. We would like to see some groups of Scots Pine planted here as well, to support future red squirrels, and provide a more mixed habitat.

• The green proposed early felling area. Which would again to be replanted with mixed broadleaf. This area is where we have most concerns and would hope to be able to agree a plan for selective felling to maintain a range of tree ages in the Balloch Wood.

See here for more details of the planned work, our concerns and the responses by FLS.

A public meeting was held on
Sunday April 13th in the Waverly Hall, Creetown.

Representatives from Forestry and Land Scotland presented their proposed changes to the original felling plan and answered the numerous questions from those present.

Recent actions by the Core Initiation Group.

• Since the public meeting in April, the Core Initiation Group have been busy with further discussions with FLS regarding the proposed felling of Coupe 86002 ( Shown as green in above map) and the replanting of the two recently felled areas.
  A summary of our views expressed to FLS in an email on 16th May 2025, can be read here.
  At a subsequent meeting on 26th May, FLS stated that it is likely they will submit an Amendment to the Land Management Plan to fell the coupe this year rather than 2037.
  A summary of the meeting with possible timescales are presented here.

• The group is also in discussion with FLS to agree certain areas of Balloch Wood over which the community will have some control of the replanting. For example selection of trees for re-planting and other activities, such as selecting space for us to build a bird hide.
  At a recent on-site meeting four areas were identified as being suitable for us to directly manage. Details of these will be reported on the website once they are finalised.

• Two short discussions have been held with the local Youth Club.

• We have also arranged for a researcher from Glasgow University (Dumfries Campus) to carry out an analysis of 50 soil samples and do a small vegetation survey as part of a baseline study of the woodland for her thesis. This was recently carried out; 52 soil samples & 6 vegetation surveys. The results are currently being analysed.

• We are in the process of submitting our application for Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) status. We also have to submit application for entry to the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
  Without having this SCIO status it will be very much harder to obtain grants to support the future management and community involvement in the Balloch Wood.
  For example, finance will be needed for insurance cover, and work such as bridge repair, path maintenance, and community tree planting, etc.
  These applications have taken up considerable time over the last few months and we are looking forward to getting started on repairing and improving the wood.

• We have also been in contact with Kilsture Forest Community Group who have been operating since 2020, and have a lot of experience they are happy to share with us.

Website
If you have visited this website previously, you will notice that it now looks rather different. We are now using a different website design software & hosting provider, which allows more than one person to maintain the site.

What is the Future for Balloch Wood

Forestry and Land Scotland have submitted their application to bring forward the felling of the lower part of the wood.

An agreement between the Creetown Community and Forestry and Land Scotland has thus become more urgent following this recent proposal for additional felling in the wood.

Once their preparation work and the replanting is finished, the ongoing maintenance of the paths will be a joint effort between FLS and the Community. The details of this are still under discussion.

The lower Burns Side path was established and maintained by the previous management group, as was the alternative return path of the Oak Trail, through the upper part of the wood, across the road from the ponds. They also established the short path around the smaller pond and the unofficial path down the right hand side of the burn, after it passes under the road bridge by the carpark.

The official Core Path is just a single route running the length of the wood. The map of all the Core Paths in Dumfries & Galloway can be viewed via this link. You can zoom-in to see Balloch Wood.

The Future for the Footpaths

The Future for the Ponds Area

When the original Balloch Wood Community Project started in 2000, extensive work was carried out by dedicated teams from Creetown to refurbish the ponds area and the paths leading to it.

The building of the Round House and the installation of the wooden bridge between the two ponds, and the Creebaby wire frame sculpture, were also carried out in conjunction with Creetown Initiative.

The Round Houser is in reasonable condition, but it will require maintenance in the future. The main bridge already needs some repair work, and the small plank bridge behind the small pond needs replacing. An interesting project for keen gardeners would be replanting around the wire sculpture, originally conceived as a frame for living willows.

Without involvement of the village community, and help from volunteers, these areas will become overgrown and inaccessible.

The Future for the Creehenge

The granite stone circle at the bottom of the wood was installed as an arts project, involving children from the village school.

The stones themselves are set securely in robust foundations, but are rapidly becoming encroached by gorse. They also need a bit of clean. We hope to arrange a working party/picnic to make a start in this area.