Black Spout Wood Management Plan
Black Spout Wood is an oak woodland situated on the eastern outskirts of Pitlochry. It is a key location for informal recreation and is heavily used by locals and visitors. It forms an important part of the landscape when viewed from the transport corridor along the Tummel Valley. It is also a wood of quite high conservation value, being ancient semi-natural woodland, though with a history of management as oak coppice. It has been the site of quarrying and subsequent rubbish disposal by the town of Pitlochry for over 100 years. This ceased in 1987, leaving part of the wood as a restored landfill site. There is a late iron-age homestead in the wood, which is an important historic monument.
The wood has been subject to two previous woodland management plans drawn up in 1994 and 2000 by Perth and Kinross Council. These secured a useful programme of work to start diversifying the structure and composition of the wood and developing its recreational use. This plan is intended to:
• put the management of the wood on a secure long term footing;
• support applications for grant assistance from the Forestry Commission and other sources;
• co-ordinate access and interpretation with the adjoining Atholl Palace Woodlands.
Your comments on the draft management plan are welcomed throughout the consultation period.
+ Consultation Draft Management Plan (PDF, 2.77MB)
+ Consultation Draft Management Plan Maps (PDF, 7.12MB)
Making your views known
Copies of the management plan will be available at Pullar House and other local outlets in hard copy between 21st October and 28th November.
We welcome your views on the plan which can be sent to the address shown.
There will be an opportunity for you to see and discuss the plan during the consultation period. Details of this will be advertised when dates, venues and times have been confirmed.
Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005
Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Screening Determination for the Black Spout Wood Draft Management Plan 2007-2012.
SEA legislation requires the Council to consider whether any plans, programmes or strategies it produces will have any significant effects on the environment. In accordance with Section 8(1) of the Act and having consulted the three Consultation Authorities (SNH, SEPA and Historic Scotland), the Council considers that the Black Spout Wood Draft Management Plan 2007-2012 is not likely to have significant environmental effects. The Council has therefore determined that SEA is not required for this plan. This statement fulfils the duty of the Council to publish a determination under Regulation 10(2) of the Act.
Adam Olejnik, Head of Public Space Management, The Environment Service
Further information on the determination and the accompanying statement of reasons can be viewed during normal hours of operation at:
The Environment Service
Pullar House
35 Kinnoull Street
Perth
For additional information contact: Jeremy Evans, Senior Countryside Ranger, 01738 475349, jevans@pkc.gov.uk
