Tree planting nightmare for a further three farms surrounding Claygate
Proposals for tree planting on three neighbouring farms surrounding Claygate have been described as modern day clearances and nothing short of rural political crime.
Approval has now been passed or is imminent for Albierig, Greenburn and Glencartholm, but there’s a growing backlash of opposition from a group of people who either live locally or grew up in the area.
The group is spearheaded by Ali McKnight who grew up on Glencartholm Farm and who now works in land management and conservation.
These are Ali’s comments:
The initial splitting up of the farms was the first blow, with land sold directly to commercial forestry interests and the
remaining farmhouses and steadings sold off as small areas of land only (7 – 60 acres). This left local communities vulnerable with little say in the matter, losing opportunities for farming, with large-scale forestry plantations foisted upon them. Local farmers did not apparently get the opportunity to rent or buy most of the land.
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