News

Land Managers Invited To Play Their Part To Establish A Coordinated Green Network In Edinburgh And Lothian

18 June 2009

Land managers in Edinburgh and the Lothians are being encouraged to become more practically involved in the development of a green network throughout the region that will link urban areas to the countryside.

The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) is co-hosting a workshop with the Edinburgh & Lothians Forest Habitat Network Partnership (ELFHNP) at Rosewell on June 19 on land owned by The Crown Estate. The event will include a presentation on the background to the ELFHNP followed by a walk around Whitehill Estate, owned by The Crown Estate, to look at practical examples of what can be done to enhance habitats and connectivity.

Ian Whitehead, Forest Habitat Network officer said:
“Involvement of rural land managers and businesses is essential for development of habitat networks on the ground. There is huge potential for landowners to get involved through forestry and agri-environment schemes.”

Mike Libera, senior forest manager with The Crown Estate said:
“The Whitehill estate includes within its 1400 hectares areas such as Roslin Glen, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which is leased to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. The Crown Estate is always interested in developing partnerships such as those with the SRPBA and ELFHNP to explore ways to enhance the local environment.”

Some possible actions to be suggested at the meeting include:
• Planting of new farm woodlands adjoining or connecting existing woodland
• Enhancement of riparian zones through regeneration of riverside vegetation
• Management of existing woods to improve condition and species diversity
• Provision of local path networks and routes close to communities
The Rosewell event will concentrate on two sites: a former open cast coal site which is currently being restored and an area of mature woodland which is used as a resource by local people.

“The first area will demonstrate how a former coal site is being reinstated with new woodland belts and habitats,” Mike Libera said. “The second area is a mature woodland near Rosewell which will look at how management could improve the biodiversity of the area, as well as combining it with the interaction of local residents.”

Sarah-Jane Laing, acting head of policy, SRPBA, said:
“A partnership approach is especially relevant to edge of town properties where land management priorities such as farming, forestry or development can dovetail with high amenity use for access and recreation for instance.

“The Crown Estate Whitehill initiative is one that we hope can be replicated by other SRPBA members in similar situations, delivering an all-round win-win situation.”

The event takes place on Friday 19 June at Rosewall Church Hall between 10am to 1pm.

ends

For media information please contact: Barbara Fraser, Pagoda PR on 0131 556 0770 or via email barbara.fraser@pagodapr.com

To find out further information about the event please contact ian@elfhnp.org.uk  or  to book a place please contact janice.cassidy@srpba.com

Notes to Editors:

Whitehill Estate

• The Whitehill Estate lies in Midlothian. The core of the estate was purchased in 1969 from the National Coal Board, with further land added in 1970and 1974. Although not the largest of The Crown Estate’s rural estates in Scotland, it is almost 1400 hectares (3500 acres) in size and includes 7 farms of 40 hectares (100 acres) or more.
• The estate includes one Site of Special Scientific Interest at Roslin Glen, let to the Scottish Wildlife Trust. This is a habitat for more than 200 species of flowering plants, 60 species of birds and a rich lichen flora.
• The Whitehill Estate still retains a mineral interest after Scottish Coal obtained planning permission in 2004 to extract coal by opencast mining on part of Newbigging Farm in the western part of the estate. It is estimated that the site will yield several hundred thousand tonnes of coal, to be supplied to the nearby Cockenzie Power Station.