Public consultation launched to improve three wooded areas around Dufftown currently owned by Moray Council.
In 2021, Dufftown and District Community Association (DDCA) launched a period of consultation with the community to consider the best ways to continue enhancing the amenity of Dufftown and District. Three areas of woodland had been identified through previous community engagement as in need of better management and enhancement. The woodland areas are Meg’s Widd (Princess Royal Park), Tollwood, Tininver Brae and Masters Well. Each of these three woodlands are in need of upgraded paths and could be better utilised to enhance the amenity of Dufftown. The areas are currently owned by the Moray Council and there is an option to Community Asset Transfer the ownership to the DDCA to ensure the areas meet the needs to the residents and visitors to Dufftown.
The DDCA appointed Communities Housing Trust to support our approach, consultations and eventual management plan for the wooded areas. Communities Housing Trust are experts in community consultation and they will seek partners to support on specific woodland management plans.
Joe Gribben commented “Communities Housing Trust are delighted to be working with DDCA on this exciting project which could transform the 3 woodlands and make them really positive assets for the community to use.”
A consultation survey was run for one month and was supported by face to face opportunities to share views on the three areas. DDCA wanted to hear from as many residents, businesses and community groups in Dufftown and District as possible.
Fraser McGill, Chairperson of the DDCA said “The DDCA began a partnership with the Communities Housing Trust in April 2020 after learning of the underlying challenges in our community. We are aware that the areas of woodland were not very well managed, from fallen trees blocking paths to accumulation of litter. Some residents have already taken time to approach us to help improve the situation.”
The area of woodlands are mapped here:
Woodland management report prepared by Woodlands Community Association.
Dufftown and District Community Association (DDCA) commissioned the Community Woodlands Association (CWA) in late 2021 to assess the opportunities and constraints that DDCA would face in taking on the management of 3 woods owned by Moray Council.
The report follows a combination of site visits, desk study and discussion with DDCA and considers the liabilities and responsibilities of ownership, outlines management plans and costings and considers alternatives for DDCA and the Dufftown community to be more actively involved in the management of the woods. This report builds on the results of the community consultation, assesses the condition of the woods and provides costed options for improving the recreational amenity of the woods and delivering necessary woodland management operations. A tree condition survey of Master’s Well and Tininver Brae was commissioned from Helge Hansen, MArborA (Forester at Aigas Community Wood).
Get in touch to access the full report.
