Concerned Arran residents have banded together to stop the development of a second timber yard on the island.

Friends of King’s Cross were formed to stand against the plans for a possible new timber yard Whitefield Farm in the King’s Cross area, citing issues with potential environmental and noise pollution, as well as the destruction of the island’s wildlife and unique ecosystem.

The land was purchased by Forestry and Land Scotland last year and while no concrete plans have been laid out, the community group was able to unearth plans to turn the land into a timber yard through Freedom of Information requests.

A spokesperson for the group said: “Continuing the exports of Arran timber from Brodick would avoid enormous environmental damage at King’s Cross as a result of creating a new timber export yard there.

“The alternative of the large development at Whitefield Farm would mean huge additional public expenditure to re-develop the site, as well as the ruin of a tranquil area of farmland and coastal fringe overlooking Lamlash Bay and Holy Isle that is much valued by residents and visitors.

“We understand that the timber export facility on Market Road has been working below capacity for the last few years and we believe that all the timber due to be harvested from Arran can continue to be exported from Brodick.

“We await further confirmation from FLS of their intentions for both the purchase of Whitefield Farm on King's Cross and the timber yard and current export facility in Brodick.”

In 2022 FLS bought the Market Road timber storage and export yard in Brodick – which the community group hopes will negate plans for a second timber yard.

Responding to the residents’ concerns, FLS said that through the purchase of Whitefield Farm and the Brodick site they hope to make eco-friendly solutions to the harvesting of wood on the island.

A spokesperson for FLS, said: “These facilities will help us take forward the sustainable management of our forests and woodlands on Arran and will allow us to deliver the multiple public benefits associated with forestry on Arran.

“The site will continue to be a valuable part of our future operating model, but its limited extent and configuration means that there are limits to the way it can be further developed and used, and the types of vessels it can service.

“With timber production on Arran increasing and being long-term, we will continue to consider and invest in other solutions beyond the ongoing use of the Market Road site.

“Such solutions will potentially help to reduce the impacts that timber haulage has on the road network and on the wider public, particularly in the Lamlash and Brodick areas.”

Arran Councillor Timothy Billings acknowledged the concerns of locals and hopes FLS will consult with islanders before plans are set.

Councillor Billings said: “As an Arran resident and councillor of Arran I am very aware of the love and passion that islanders have for the natural beauty of the island.

“Anything that has the potential to harm Arran natural environment is clearly a cause of concern for us all.

“[The purchase of the land] has raised understandable concerns about how any potential use of the land could impact the lives of residents living around the area, cause possibly detrimental changes to the natural environment, and have knock on effects for the wider island economy.

“FLS has confirmed in letters with Scottish ministers that they don’t have any specific plans at the moment.

“I would encourage FLS to engage in a meaningful way with island residents in order to find a solution that is the best for Arran, not just the best for FLS.”

Find out more info on Friends of King’s Cross’ campaign here: www.friendsofkingscross.co.uk.