Guest guest Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 The Forestry Commission wants to see people living among trees Plans to restore the ancient tradition of living and working in woodland areas are being submitted in the Highlands later this month. Scotland's largest public landowner, the Forestry Commission, is behind the scheme to build 32 " eco-homes " . It has chosen Kilnhill wood, near Nairn, for the demonstration project. However, some locals have expressed concern over a new distinct community in their midst. Highland Council will decide whether the project goes ahead. The idea is to have small groups of low-energy mixed housing, including some affordable and some holiday homes, made, where possible, from local timber. Intimate connection Anyone buying a home in the Scots Pine forest would also have to join a trust, signing up to common values, which could include elements such as shared cars and non-car transport. Phil Whitfield, of the Forestry Commission, said: " We're clearly interested in the idea of people becoming much more intimately connected with trees. " Living in a forest, as opposed to some landscaping around a housing development, is really where this idea came from. " The plans are for a community of about 30 homes in the woods But the Friends of Kilnhill group has concerns over the impact on an area used by locals. Chairman Stephen Gray said: " Our community, which is using the woodland, and the Nairn people, who are using the woodland, are going to get that taken away from them and replaced by a community of a certain way of thinking. " Other opponents have also claimed the plan could severely disrupt animals and birds in an area home to badgers, roe dear and red squirrels. However, the Forestry Commission has stressed that its planning application is aimed at creating a sustainable lifestyle and ensuring that the concept of " living in a forest " has minimal impact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 I don't understand how " holiday homes " could be part of a " sustainable lifestyle, " not to mention taking away habitat. Why not start planting more trees where people already live, maybe closing down streets to make parks? (oh, right, in the UK it takes centuries for a tree to grow...) At 7:31 AM +0000 1/2/08, heartwerk wrote: > >The Forestry Commission wants to see people living among trees >Plans to restore the ancient tradition of living and working in >woodland areas are being submitted in the Highlands later this month. >Scotland's largest public landowner, the Forestry Commission, is >behind the scheme to build 32 " eco-homes " . > >It has chosen Kilnhill wood, near Nairn, for the demonstration >project. > >However, some locals have expressed concern over a new distinct >community in their midst. Highland Council will decide whether the >project goes ahead. > >The idea is to have small groups of low-energy mixed housing, >including some affordable and some holiday homes, made, where >possible, from local timber. > >Intimate connection > >Anyone buying a home in the Scots Pine forest would also have to join >a trust, signing up to common values, which could include elements >such as shared cars and non-car transport. > >Phil Whitfield, of the Forestry Commission, said: " We're clearly >interested in the idea of people becoming much more intimately >connected with trees. > > " Living in a forest, as opposed to some landscaping around a housing >development, is really where this idea came from. " > > >The plans are for a community of about 30 homes in the woods > >But the Friends of Kilnhill group has concerns over the impact on an >area used by locals. > >Chairman Stephen Gray said: " Our community, which is using the >woodland, and the Nairn people, who are using the woodland, are going >to get that taken away from them and replaced by a community of a >certain way of thinking. " > >Other opponents have also claimed the plan could severely disrupt >animals and birds in an area home to badgers, roe dear and red >squirrels. > >However, the Forestry Commission has stressed that its planning >application is aimed at creating a sustainable lifestyle and ensuring >that the concept of " living in a forest " has minimal impact. > > > > > > >To send an email to - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 2, 2008 Report Share Posted January 2, 2008 I think that not enough thought is given to these plans. I agree that holiday homes might not fit the bill - or do the holidaymakers have to sign to say how 'green' they are? JO , yarrow wrote: > > I don't understand how " holiday homes " could be part of a > " sustainable lifestyle, " > not to mention taking away habitat. > > Why not start planting more trees where people already live, maybe > closing down streets to make parks? (oh, right, in the UK it takes > centuries for a tree to grow...) > > At 7:31 AM +0000 1/2/08, heartwerk wrote: > > > >The Forestry Commission wants to see people living among trees > >Plans to restore the ancient tradition of living and working in > >woodland areas are being submitted in the Highlands later this month. > >Scotland's largest public landowner, the Forestry Commission, is > >behind the scheme to build 32 " eco-homes " . > > > >It has chosen Kilnhill wood, near Nairn, for the demonstration > >project. > > > >However, some locals have expressed concern over a new distinct > >community in their midst. Highland Council will decide whether the > >project goes ahead. > > > >The idea is to have small groups of low-energy mixed housing, > >including some affordable and some holiday homes, made, where > >possible, from local timber. > > > >Intimate connection > > > >Anyone buying a home in the Scots Pine forest would also have to join > >a trust, signing up to common values, which could include elements > >such as shared cars and non-car transport. > > > >Phil Whitfield, of the Forestry Commission, said: " We're clearly > >interested in the idea of people becoming much more intimately > >connected with trees. > > > > " Living in a forest, as opposed to some landscaping around a housing > >development, is really where this idea came from. " > > > > > >The plans are for a community of about 30 homes in the woods > > > >But the Friends of Kilnhill group has concerns over the impact on an > >area used by locals. > > > >Chairman Stephen Gray said: " Our community, which is using the > >woodland, and the Nairn people, who are using the woodland, are going > >to get that taken away from them and replaced by a community of a > >certain way of thinking. " > > > >Other opponents have also claimed the plan could severely disrupt > >animals and birds in an area home to badgers, roe dear and red > >squirrels. > > > >However, the Forestry Commission has stressed that its planning > >application is aimed at creating a sustainable lifestyle and ensuring > >that the concept of " living in a forest " has minimal impact. > > > > > > > > > > > > > >To send an email to - > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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