Stewartry communities give mixed response to "visitor masterplan" for Dalbeattie Forest
dailyrecord.co.ukColvend, Kippford and Rockcliffe residents have given a mixed response to a “visitor masterplan” for Dalbeattie Forest. Around 120 people packed into Colvend Public Hall on Monday evening to have their say on the Forestry and Land Scotland scheme.
According to Colvend and Southwick Community Council vice-chairman Simon Pain, there was general support for extending woodland trails between Dalbeattie and Colvend for walkers, cyclists and horse access.
But a proposal for a holiday cabins development on Mark Hill above Kippford met with a hostile reception. Describing the meeting as “very lively”, Mr Pain said: “Colvend Public Hall was absolutely bursting at the seams. “There were around 120 people there – for a very small community that is a serious turnout. “We quickly became aware that it was a pretty emotive issue among residents here. “As a result of that we arranged at three days notice the meeting for Monday evening.” Laura-Anne Innes, FLS’ recreation and visitor services manager and national visitor services manager Stuart Chalmers attended the meeting.
Mr Pain described plans to connect the footpath in Dalbeattie‘s Town Wood with Richorn and the 7stanes mountain biking centre and most of FLS’ proposals as “non-contentious”.
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