Friends of the Ochils has raised formal concerns with Scottish Forestry regarding the handling of stakeholder consultation for a proposed mixed commercial woodland of approximately 111 hectares located northwest of Glenfarg.
The primary concern is that FotO was brought into the consultation process too late — a problem that has arisen more than once with the same agent in 2025. FotO is formally pursuing the matter of insufficient early consultation with Scottish Forestry.
In addition to the process concerns, FotO has noted a number of unresolved ecological and access issues within the proposal. These include potential impacts on protected species and priority habitats — including dry heath, wetland areas and ground-nesting birds such as lapwing, skylark and meadow pipit. Local residents have also raised concerns about the effects of planting on lapwing populations, and outstanding questions remain about access arrangements in the area.
FotO will continue to monitor the proposal and engage through the formal consultation process.