Information on Blaeberryhill Park Woods, Whitburn and Livingston Long-term Forest Plan
Blaeberryhill Park Woods
There a number of woods around Blaeberryhill Park and to the south of Croftmalloch School which provide shelter, a habitat for wildlife and seasonal interest to the park and local paths linking to the Whitburn Town Walk.
Concerns regarding Condition of the Woods on Southern Side of Park
As many of you will be aware, there have been a number of issues in the woods to the south of Blaeberryhill Park over the past few years.
A drop-in session and meetings with Whitburn Community Council and representatives from the emergency services were held a number of years ago. Since that time, the Tree and Woodland Team have been working up plans for the woods.
After various proposals were considered, approval for felling and thinning of the woods has now been granted by Scottish Forestry.
The plan is to fell most of the fast-growing conifer and poplar trees, some of which are fire damaged or have begun to blow down in wetter parts of the woods.
In other areas the trees will be thinned out to allow the remaining trees more room to grow.
Where possible undamaged broadleaved trees, like oak and beech, will be retained to keep a wooded feel to the area.
The felled areas will then be replanted with slower growing species such as oak and birch.
The felling work will make a mess but within a few years the new trees will grow up and look more attractive again.
It is expected that the work will start around the week commencing 9 December 2024.
Please be aware that the footpaths will be closed to be able to undertake the operations in a safe manner.
The woodland areas will look messy in the short-term but we plan to do drainage works and then replant the areas in the Spring.
Queries
If you have any queries on this work please email us or if you wish we can organise a "walk and talk" to explain the proposed work on site.
It is hoped that neighbours and those who use the park will want to get involved in planting the new trees. If you are interested please send your details to the contact above and and we will be in touch nearer the time.
Livingston's trees and woods, along with its parks and paths linking these, and residential and business districts, were a key part of the design of the "new town". As these have grown up over the past 40-50 years it has become a town within a "forest".
When the Livingston Development Corporation was wound up in 1997 the woodland areas were handed over to West Lothian District Council and the Woodland Trust, with agreed terms under which they were to be managed.
Today West Lothian Council is responsible for the management approximately 427ha (305 football pitches) of woodland and tree-belts in and around Livingston, with an additional 418ha of open-ground within or adjacent to them. It is also responsible for 9,940 individual trees and a further 1,280 trees in small groups.
10/10/24 - Information gathering for a Long-term Forest Plan for Livingston
A "scoping" exercise is underway to gather information for a plan to manage the council's trees and woods across Livingston, over the next 10-20 years.
People living and working in Livingston are being asked to let us know about any important features which we may have missed and issues which need to be considered.
Further information and how to respond is given in the Livingston WLC Woods and Trees Long-term Forest Plan section below.
Benefits from the Urban Forest
These green assets provide many benefits and services to the local community including:-
an attractive landscape with changing colours through the season
flooding reduction
reduction of traffic noise and pollution along roads
shelter
wildlife habitats
produce oxygen and absorb CO2
improved health and well-being
These urban trees and woods will play an increasingly important part in the functioning of the town as we face the effects of climate change and a decline in biodiversity across Scotland.
A plan is being prepared to guide the management of all the woodland and individual trees owned and managed by West Lothian Council across Livingston.
This plan includes necessary felling and replanting and thinning of existing woods, which require to be approved by Scottish Forestry, as well as the council itself. It will also include suggestions for planting new areas of woodland.
The report and maps below provide information on the woods and the issues being considered as part of the Long-term Forest Plan along with initial, outline proposals.
A summary of the main aspects of the report are given here:-
As part of preparing a plan to guide the long-term, sustainable future of the trees and woods managed by West Lothian Council, we are seeking local information and comments on the initial, outline proposals.
The Long-term Forest Plan (LTFP) will describe the major woodland management operations planned over the next twenty-year management period and aims to deliver long-term environmental benefits through sustainable forestry and arboricultural practices. The LTFP process is grant assisted through the Scottish Rural Development Programme. As part of the approval process the applicant is required to carry out consultation to explore relevant issues and opportunities.
