The "Friends of Kilnhill Wood" have accused the Forestry Commission of "preaching about the benefits of eco-housing and living in the trees" while they claim the development is against the Local Plan, as well as being detrimental to existing residents, and has the sole purpose of making money.

The plans for the 32 mixed tenure homes, which includes 25 affordable homes at a site near Kilnhill Wood, near Lochloy, were showcased at a public exhibition held in the Cloddymoss classroom by the Forestry Commission and GH Johnston consultants, a couple of weeks ago.

Forestry Commission Scotland spokesman Phil Whitfield said they had received a good response to the exhibition, with a lot of positive feedback. Another consultation exercise is planned at Auldearn Community Council meeting this week, with consultation ongoing until the end of the year.

Spokesman for the "Friends of Kilnhill Wood" is ex-RAF serviceman Terry Cowan, who said the plans had upset a lot of people. He described them as "outrageous and contrary to planning guidelines" and said residents were concerned about the impact of siting an eco community-type settlement on their doorsteps.

He said this could bring associated problems from a large community of people moving into the sensitive woodland area, with scope for a larger community to evolve.

"We cannot comprehend how such a project can be considered when it appears totally contradictory to both the planning policy and area plan," he said.

"It is truly outrageous for a public body such as the FC to attempt to bend the existing rules for the sole reason to make money."

Mr Cowan said the Forestry Commission were trying to sell the ethos of living in the trees with the aim of building a community, but this was to the detriment of the existing community, the woodland, residents of Lochloy Road and the natural flora and fauna that inhabits the woods.

"The development itself is also larger than the advertised 32 houses," he said.

"I requested information under the Freedom of Information Act and can tell you that the inclusion of eight holiday lets, stables and workshops all appear to have been omitted from any press release."

He claimed that in addition to the initial proposal, the new community would not be restricted in making further development to the remaining woodland as the Forestry Commission are planning to gift it to this new community once the development is in private hands, leaving the door open on future development, with the possibility that it would not be restricted to eco housing.

Residents are also concerned about the levels of traffic that regularly use Lochloy Road, which they claim has shown a steady increase over the years, and would get worse from extra housing.

"The fact is that the net effect of these 40 houses would double the amount of traffic," said Mr Cowan.

"For those that know the Nairn area, it is already inundated with new housing developments, and the question has to be asked why do we need this one?"

Mr Cowan went along to the consultation which was held at Cloddymoss and said the reports of "good feedback" and "enthusiastic support" were tempered by those individuals who expressed concerns about the impact on their local community.

"The wood itself is a local amenity and is well used by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and people visiting the area," he said.

"It is a natural habitat for a diverse range of wildlife, some of which are protected, and flora."

Surveys have identified rare plant life in the wood as well as some rare birds and protected species.

Members of the Friends of Kilnhill Woods who are protesting against the proposals.

A spokesman from the Forestry Commission Scotland said consultation with local residents has been carried out over the past few weeks, explaining the ideas behind the proposal and answering questions as best as possible.

"It is still a very fluid plan at this stage and nothing has been set in stone," he said. "We intend to continue that consultation process and address as many potential issues as we can, and will not be considering lodging a formal planning application until the New Year."

He said it was a new idea and they had received some very positive feedback to what they think is a viable proposal that presents a whole new way of looking at living in Scotland's forests.

"Providing local, well-designed and affordable housing of this type has great potential for making a positive contribution to sustaining and maintaining rural communities across Scotland," he said.

"The council planners will consider all the factors and determine whether or not this goes ahead."

The development is being promoted as a sustainable development in a woodland environment. It promotes Forestry Commission Scotland's sustainability agenda, uses timber as one of the main construction materials and also makes use of green building technologies, including renewable energies and grey water harvesting.

Although the area in question comes under the boundary of the Moray Forestry Commission, it falls within Highland Council area for planning, and will be submitted to that authority for consent.

He confirmed that the outline planning proposal is likely to include eight holiday "sheilings" which could be community owned and run or built by individual community members.

"The intention was that these sheilings could be one of a range of opportunities for the new community to be self-sustaining and for some incomes to be earned on site," he said.

He added that any ideas for on-site enterprise would of course have to be consistent with the overall vision for the community. Not all would be compatible, and this is one of the purposes of continuing to discuss these ideas with residents in the area.

Meantime, Colin Mackenzie, a Principal Planner with the Highland Council, met with members of the friends group to discuss the proposal.

He said any proposal to develop housing at Kilnhill Wood would require to be considered against the Development Plan and any material considerations.

"The Nairnshire Local Plan makes no allocation of land for that purpose, nor does it provide for housing development on a significant scale in the countryside," he said.

He added: "...that a housing development at that location would represent a departure from the Development Plan and that an opportunity to engage further with those supporting or opposing development would arise when the Development Plan is next reviewed."

t.mclaren@forres-gazette.co.uk

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