by Communications TEAM | Nov 2, 2024 | announcement, News, Planning
Drumbrae
After consultation in the summer of 2023, and the sharing of their planting plan, The University of Edinburgh Drumbrae team would like to invite the local community to come along to a community meeting to hear from some of the team who are working at the site.
Come along on November 22nd at 7-8.30 at the Parish Church and find out what has been happening so far, what is coming up, how you can get involved and share your feedback. They would also love to hear what people would like to see in our community woodland space at Cocksburn Wood.
You can find more information about Drumbrae on the website and Story Map here.
Drumbrae Community meeting poster
Cocksburn Reservoir
Nearby to the Drunbrae site there is a Scottish Water tree planting scheme at Cocksburn. This will involve 3.38 hectares of land surrounding the reservoir, as highlighted on the map below. The aim is to create a woodland that compliments the existing habitats and footpaths in the area, and it is anticipated that planting would take place towards the end of 2024. This would involve a team of planters hand screefing the soil to create a better condition for the saplings and upgrading the existing stock fence to a deer fence to protect the trees.
The team will then plant the trees with tree shelters and stakes in the strip to the south outside the deer fence. This work will take place over a couple weeks. Access to the reservoir for recreational purposes should not be affected and we will exclude the existing access routes from planting.
Do let us know if you have any questions about the Cocksburn scheme, and come along to the Edinburgh University event on November the 22nd.
Cocksburn Draft Woodland Design 2024_02_15
by Communications TEAM | Nov 1, 2024
The University of Edinburgh Drumbrae team would like to invite the local community to come along to a community meeting to hear from some of the team who are working at the site.
Come and find out what has been happening so far, what is coming up, how you can get involved and share your feedback. They would also love to hear what people would like to see in our community woodland space at Cocksburn Wood.
You can find more information about Drumbrae on the website and Story Map here.
Drumbrae Community meeting poster
by Communications TEAM | May 19, 2024 | announcement, News, Planning
Julie the Community Ranger from Edinburgh University has been in touch to update us on the woodland creation at Drumbrae and offer some volunteering opportunities.
Firstly an update on the University of Edinburgh’s woodland creation plan at Drumbrae.
The University of Edinburgh have been working to develop new woodland creation proposals for Drumbrae, near Bridge of Allan.
Many of you may have already provided comments on the draft design as part of earlier local engagement work which included a drop-in event in Bridge of Allan and on-line consultations. To view a summary of these results, visit their website: Drumbrae | The University of Edinburgh.
This engagement was part of their Scottish Forestry’s Woodland Creation Application process. The University have submitted a Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS) application to Scottish Forestry to secure funding for this new planting. You can see the design in the image.
drumbrae_design_v5
The application is now on the Scottish Forestry Public Register of Felling Permission and Forestry Grant Scheme Applications, and available for any final comments to be made directly to Scottish Forestry. This can be done online via the Public Register or by contacting Scottish Forestry directly via email: panda.cons@forestry.gov.scot or Tel: 03000676005. The application will be available for comment on the Public Register until the 6th June 2024.
Volunteering opportunities
During June and July the University will be running 4 conservation volunteer days at Drumbrae.
Working alongside local crafts people task will improve the well-loved path to Dumyat from Sheriffmuir Road. This is a great opportunity to get involved, learn new skills, meet new people and help maintain the path for everyone to enjoy. There will be a variety of tasks including digging ditches, clearing drainage features, path surfacing and rebuilding a section of dry stone wall.
The volunteer days will run from 10am-3pm and the dates are:
- Thursday 13th June
- Saturday 29th June
- Wednesday 3rd July
- Friday 12th July
More information is available on their website: Volunteering opportunities | The University of Edinburgh. You can also find out more about our plans for Drumbrae here.
If you are interested in taking part, please visit the website where there is an online form to register.
A4 2024 conservation volunteering - compressed
by Communications TEAM | Sep 17, 2023 | announcement, News
Drumbrae Woodland Creation Consultation
On August 25th a number of representatives from the Edinburgh University project were on hand to display the plans and answer any questions about the Drumbrae Woodland Creation project. What did you think of what was on display? Much of the information is available online via their website and the links to the right
An interesting part of the plan is for a some community woodland spaces. There is still an opportunity to complete the consultation survey until Friday 29th September.
Maps
Reports and visualisations
Refurbuishment of Keir Street tennis courts to start this month
Good news that refurbishment to the Keir street tennis courts will be starting soon. The original blaes courts have been in a state of disrepair for several years.
Stirling Council has been in discussions with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) for a number of months regarding a funding opportunity to upgrade the tennis courts.
The contract has been finalised with the works commencing on 25 September 2023. These works will involve new fencing, resurfacing and lining the court. New net posts will be installed and a controlled entry gate will be fitted which can be accessed by downloading an app.
With the change to the access arrangements to the courts we are pressing for clarity on how this will work in practice, and that the facility remains free and open to all.
Further information from recent Stirling council news
The project is part of a £30m nationwide investment by the government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish thousands of public tennis courts in poor or unplayable condition and open up the sport to more people across Scotland, Wales and England.
Tennis courts in Bridge of Allan and Kings Park in Stirling will be renovated thanks to the funding which will provide high quality sporting facilities for the local community. Alongside the investment, Stirling Council and Active Stirling will work alongside the LTA to deliver a range of activities across the park sites. This will include organised free weekly tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable opportunities to get active through local competition.
The renovated park venues will be available to book online including via the LTA website making it far easier to find and book a court or activity.
Fire in Mid Wood
Sadly it was reported to us that a fire had been set in mid wood leaving behind metal and plastic debris. There is always a risk that a uncontrolled fire could spread out of control. This is antisocial and irresponsible behavior that spoils our shared green spaces. The Stirling council ranger service have been informed.
Sports Club Open Day
Want to try out Tennis, Squash or Padel? Bridge of Allan sports club are hosting an open day on October 7th 12.30-3.30. Drop in to have a go and check out the facilities.
by Communications TEAM | Aug 20, 2023 | announcement, Planning
The University of Edinburgh has recently purchased land at Drumbrae, by Sherrifmuir Road, north of Bridge of Allan, and has plans to create woodlands on the site to sequester carbon, improve biodiversity, and maintain access for local communities.
An early survey collected views on important to the community, this is now closed, and you can see a summary of the popular themes on the project webpage. These responses will be used to inform aspects of the development plans for the site.
The next phase of the consultation is a drop in session followed by an online survey. The details of the drop in are:
- When: 2pm to 8pm, Friday 25 August 2023
- Where: Bridge of Allan Sports Club in the Minewood Suite.
All are welcome, no booking is necessary.
An online survey will be open from the 28th of August to 29th of September to receive feedback on the plans.
See the full timeline and a video about the project on the University of Edinburgh, Drumbrae web page
