COUNCIL BACK WOODLAND PARK
PORTLETHEN could soon be home to a new community woodland park after successful negotiations between local residents and Aberdeenshire Council.
For over a year, environmental campaigners have been talking to the authority regarding an idea to create an area with trees, footpaths and a place for children to play.
Aberdeenshire Council have now giving their backing to the proposal and subsequently a planning application has been submitted.
The land earmarked for the scheme is a 17-acre site opposite Portlethen swimming pool.
Kincardine and Mearns area manager Willie Munro said: "The council had some land which was acquired with the original intention of creating playing fields, but with the new Academy, that was not required."
The venture has been led by Denise Martin of the Portlethen Moss Conservation Group and she is hoping a large number of the town's people will now show an interest in helping the woodland park become a reality.
She said: "We were asked by the council if we would take on other environmental projects and we knew they owned this area of land.
"We put forward a proposal asking if they would consider making it a community parkland and fortunately they viewed it favorably.
"We still need planning permission but so far everyone has been very supportive of the idea.
"If we get the go ahead we would expect to start work early next year.
"We would like to get the whole community involved with tree planting and fundraising.
"This will be something that will take years to mature, but once it is there it will be something to be enjoyed by everyone and a lasting memory for those who created it."
Mr Munro believes the park would benefit Portlethen greatly.
He said: "This is something which has been very much community driven.
"The plan for a woodland is an excellent idea which would really enhance Portlethen."
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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