Gordon Gray Stephens Native Woods Cooperative gordon@nativewoods.co.uk 01852 500530
• Involving Glen residents since Landscape Millennium Forest for Scotland days! scale and • Bob Black and Gordon Gray Stephens Population • Forestry Commission Contract • Argyll and the Island Coast & level Countryside Trust (ACT) Control • Contractors reporting to a Steering Group of locals, agency and council reps
• Conservation value Why Glen • A landlocked glen • Creran? Work already in progress • Supportive Community Council and individuals • Achievable
Gaining support from community and individuals • Initial contacts aimed at securing support from every affected land occupier. • Who owns what? • Written commitment from those affected • A long waiting period without contact while funding was secured
Glen Creran: the rhoddie population • 29 Householders, landowners and land managers. • Mapped and costed
Dancing with Funders Difficult to get “traction” with funders for £100k • Agri/forestry support mechanisms either ineligible or not attractive to owners • Ineligible for Argyll Leader programme • HLF prepared to listen, but wanted more community legacy: people outcomes or biodiversity outcomes. • SNH and FCS staff very supportive, especially at local level • Backing from the Countryside Trust and Community Council helped to convince
Glen Creran Delivery !!
Glen Creran Delivery Preparing for work • All affected property owners and/or occupiers recontacted • Individual maps and site requirements drawn up into signed Memorandum of Understandings
Glen Creran Preparations • Rhododendron and owners change: disease, enthusiasm, sales and confusion • IRATA • VAT
Glen Creran Delivery Three tendered contracts • Garden work • Estate work • Rope access work
Glen Creran Conclusions It’s early days for conclusions! • Horticultural Management • Time consuming • Commitment • Complexity
Glen Creran Conclusion • Give individuals time, but look to ease the process • Simplification • Dedicated team
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