National Forest Land Scheme th Minutes of the 30 Meeting of the Evaluation Panel th 30 January, 2014 Panel Present: Ian Ross (Chair); Jon Hollingdale, Angela Douglas, Joan Mitchell, Donald McPhillimy, Penny Cousins. FCS: Staff:Jo O’Hara, Bob Frost, Malcolm Wield, Betsy Walling Apologies: Bob Stubbs 1. Panel session – there was no panel session. 2. Ian Ross (IR) opened the meeting and welcomed Jo O’Hara. IR Asked for any declarations of interest from panel members. There were none. 3. Jo O’Hara (JO’H) spoke about the NFLS. A productive informal discussion followed. IR suggested it would be useful to have a more prolonged informal panel only session as part of a future meeting this was agreed. AP1 4. The minutes of the meeting of 8th October, 2013 were agreed as a true record. Matters arising: Bob Frost (BF) reminded the panel of the discussion about length of NGO recognition. He reported that this is still under discussion but proposals are for 3 years. However, if there is a lapse of time between the NGO being recognised and an application being received by FCS then the NGO must present their constitution for scrutiny. 5. Progress Report: Malcolm Wield’s (MW) report is at Appendix 1 and the spreadsheet is to be distributed to panel members. AP2 MW The panel expressed surprise that Glenmallie was on the repositioning list as a native pinewood. Angela Douglas (AD) asked if the woodland around a hydro scheme at Kingussie is on FC land. BF reported that an application to lease land on Mull by Mull and Iona Community Trust (MICT), while not on the list, is expected and would likely move quite quickly. 6. Consideration of Application by Lesmahagow Development Trust (LDT) to lease 0.5ha of land at Brocketsbrae, Lesmahagow The summary of the key issues and Evaluation Panel checklist are at Appendix 2 At the site visit representatives of LDT were asked to provide local residents with information about the proposal as the site proposed for allotments had changed since the publication of the application on the website. This had been done in the form of an information sheet with map showing development being delivered to the residents living adjacent to the site. Several responses have been received by FCS outlining various concerns over the proposed change of use. The response from the Forest District Manager had been recently received and will be circulated to the panel. AP3 MW Both Joan Mitchell (JM) and BF expanded on their reports. The panel were content with the application but recognised that local communication should continue to be developed by the group and the planning process completed. Panel recommendation: Unanimously content to recommend approval. LDT are to be encouraged to continue communicating with the residents and fulfil all planning obligations. The forest district should ultimately be content that Community concerns have been acknowledged by the group and were addressed. 7. Consideration of Application by Spotlight Musical Theatre Group (SMTG) to purchase redundant deer larder at Barcaldine, By Oban The summary of the key issues and Evaluation Panel checklist are at Appendix 3. Penny Cousins (PC) and MW gave their reports. There were questions over SCIO status, membership area, lack of evidence of local support and community benefit. These are addressed in the panel recommendation. Jon Hollingdale (JH) asked if this site had been identified as a house site in the FC trawl of 2006. FCS will check if this disposal was notified to Social Housing interest networks and whether clawback clause would be included. AP 4 BF Panel recommendation: The panel are content to recommend approval with the following observations: 1. Group to be encouraged to consider constructing sustainable building. 2. Engage with the community to identify wider community benefits. 3. Demonstrate local support with letters from the Ardchattan Community Council and also from Barcaldine Community Association. 4. FCS to review SCIO constitution to ensure it meets the NFLS requirements 8. The next meeting date of Wednesday 23rd April, 2014 was confirmed. The meeting following that is to take place over 2 days and a Doodle poll will be taken to identify suitable dates and also location and site(s) to visit. 9. Panel member site visits agreed: Creetown – AD; Achnaha, Ardnamurchan – JH; Ballachulish – PC; Dalavich – PC; Dinmurchie – JM; Glen Mallie – IR; Invergarry – JH; Strathard – DMcP; Strathyre – AD or DMcP; Strontian – JH. 10. AOCB – AD asked if information on the geographic distribution of applications was available – BF replied that it was and agreed to update the map and will make it available to the panel. AP 5 BF DMcP asked about information on renewables to help with assessments. BF said that a checklist had been produced, with help from Community Energy Scotland in an effort to standardise applications. This checklist is part of the information available on the FCS Renewables website. BF said that the FCS Forest Renewables team are happy to engage and suggested that an update could be organised as part of the two day meeting in late summer. APPENDIX 1 NFLS Progress report January 2014 Red list – applications received for the old deer larder and site at Barcaldine and for allotments at Brocketsbrae, Lesmahagow. Orange list – applications in preparation. The list has increased to 11 from 5 at the last meeting in October. This is despite the 2 sites moving up to application and Dalerb moving to a less active list. A new ‘Yellow Box’ category has been introduced to help track renewable projects. The woodland site at Achnaha in Sunart is new, and Ballachulish and Glencoe has become more active following the provision of a project officer (Sian Curley). An application has been received from Creetown for a hydro project in Balloch Wood within the last couple of days, a little earlier than expected. This is currently undergoing eligibility checks. Dialogue led by the FDM continues at Creag Nay, Loch Ness-side. Dalavich have recently appointed Chrissie Sugden as PM for their hydro project and things are moving forward as a result. New community representatives at Dinmurchie have returned to the proposal previously withdrawn by the Hadyards Hill Development Company. The large disposal at Glen Mallie is progressing as the ABC group appraise their options and is on track against the sale of surplus land timetable. The Invergarry woodland and old office ‘depot’ site is still a possible application but is quiet at the moment. Strathard and Strathyre are separate sites interested in hydro development in the Trossachs. Strathyre may submit an application imminently. An application for the small site next to the old schoolhouse in Strontian, Sunart is being prepared by the Sunart Development Company. Grey – under consideration but not in preparation. Glen Elg and Arnisdale have arrived on the list, generally interested in both hydro and wind power at this stage. Glenvickaskill, Cadderlie and Invergarry Railway Station are not progressing their interest through NFLS any further and have withdrawn. The number of communities interested in applying for hydro projects under the FoRe ‘Option C’ has reduced from 23, to 8. In addition to the sites listed above at Creetown, Strathyre, Ballachulish and Glencoe and Strathard, they include Tiroran, Callander Community Hydro, Trossachs Community Trust and South Lochaline. Malcolm Wield 29/1/14 APPENDIX 2 Part 1 The National Forest Land Scheme Leasing of NFE land Summary of the key issues Applicant: Lesmahagow Development Trust (LOT) Land: approx 0.5 ha land at Brocketsbrae, Lesmahagow 1. FES acquired this land as part of the Repositioning programme. Local consultation identified an interest in allotments which has been reflected in the Forest Design plan process. 2. The Trust wishes to lease an area of former grazing land to create allotments 1. The specific location of the allotment site has changed twice due to detailed discussions with potential allotment holders, and the Lesmahagow Agricultural Society Show Committee, to find a site with better soil conditions and accommodate local interests. The current site is within 100 metres of around 10 residential properties. 3. The land has a value of less than £50,000 so a business plan and community ballot is not mandatory. The project will cost in the region of £150,000 to deliver. Some short term funding has been secured from the Climate Challenge Fund but there is no business plan to show how the project will be sustained in future years. 4. A new access is required to be constructed and will form part of the Trust's planning application. Local consultation has been carried out on the concept of developing an allotment project. However, neighbours of the latest site have not been consulted. 5. A visit to the site was made by Joan Mitchell on 10th January. The group was represented by David MacColl (Chair LOT) and Callum Smith (Trust). Also John Ogilvie the local Forester (Scottish Lowlands Forest District) and NFLS team were represented. Joan's report follows below. Bob Frost 20th January 2014 1 FCS' policy on making land available for allotment requires that groups first approach their Local Authority - given LA's formal role in allotment provision. If the LA is not able to directly support the project then FCS is content that communities apply to the NFLS. 1 The National Forest Land Scheme Leasing for Forest Management Purposes Checklist for the Evaluation Panel Introduction This checklist sets out the criteria and the main points to be considered when judging whether the NFLS criteria have been met for any individual application. The criteria refer to the NFLS Guidance document, revised November 2010. Applicant:- Lesmahagow Development Trust Land:- Approx. O.5ha land at Brocketsbrae, Lesmahagow Please use the colour code to highlight your comments:- issues which could have a negative effect on the application issues where additional consideration could be useful issues which deserve special commendation Criteria:- 1.