KILWINNING locals will be asked to get involved in shaping proposals for a piece of land recently acquired by Forestry Commission Scotland.

The Commission purchased approximately 77 acres of land at Woodgreen Farm, on Blair Road close to the cemetery.

It was being marketed by property agent Savills for £290,000.

The land was historically used as dairy grazing but more recently had beef and sheep herds.

The small area of land could be used to improve community access to recreation and greenspace. There might also be scope for community allotments or orchards with some woodland planting and enhancements to existing wildlife habitats created.

Before any decisions are made on the future of the land, a public consultation will take place and this is expected to be carried out some time next year.

Roddy McTavish, Community Ranger with Forestry Commission Scotland said: “As we develop plans for the site we will be keen to get the views of our new neighbours and the surrounding community – this is always very important to us.

“It normally takes around a couple of years to get all the approvals, plans and consultations undertaken so there is plenty of time for views to come in. For this reason the local community won’t see any change at the site until sometime into 2016.

“Until this point, parts of the land will continue to be managed under our standard grazing agreements.”   “Forestry Commission Scotland intends to advertise soon for the grazing on the former farmland with contracts ending before any work begins on the site in 2016.” Forestry Commission Scotland is a government department that was orginally set up to reforest land that had been depleted during the First World War. A reliance on conifers in monoculture plantations led to criticism of loss of biodiversity, however, the Commission’s role has changed and now encompasses research and recreation as well as protecting and improving biodiversity.

To get involved in the consultation contact Roddy McTavish on 07769 725 237 or roddy.mctavish@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.