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| Eco-homes forest plan put forward | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Plans to restore the ancient tradition of living and working in woodland areas are being submitted in the Highlands later this month. | Plans to restore the ancient tradition of living and working in woodland areas are being submitted in the Highlands later this month. |
| Scotland's largest public landowner, the Forestry Commission, is behind the scheme to build 32 "eco-homes". | |
| It has chosen Kilnhill wood, near Nairn, for the demonstration project. | It has chosen Kilnhill wood, near Nairn, for the demonstration project. |
| However, some locals have expressed concern over a new distinct community in their midst. Highland Council will decide whether the project goes ahead. | However, some locals have expressed concern over a new distinct community in their midst. Highland Council will decide whether the project goes ahead. |
| The idea is to have small groups of low-energy mixed housing, including some affordable and some holiday homes, made, where possible, from local timber. | The idea is to have small groups of low-energy mixed housing, including some affordable and some holiday homes, made, where possible, from local timber. |
| Intimate connection | Intimate connection |
| Anyone buying a home in the Scots Pine forest would also have to join a trust, signing up to common values, which could include elements such as shared cars and non-car transport. | Anyone buying a home in the Scots Pine forest would also have to join a trust, signing up to common values, which could include elements such as shared cars and non-car transport. |
| Phil Whitfield, of the Forestry Commission, said: "We're clearly interested in the idea of people becoming much more intimately connected with trees. | Phil Whitfield, of the Forestry Commission, said: "We're clearly interested in the idea of people becoming much more intimately connected with trees. |
| "Living in a forest, as opposed to some landscaping around a housing development, is really where this idea came from." | "Living in a forest, as opposed to some landscaping around a housing development, is really where this idea came from." |
| The plans are for a community of about 30 homes in the woods | The plans are for a community of about 30 homes in the woods |
| But the Friends of Kilnhill group has concerns over the impact on an area used by locals. | But the Friends of Kilnhill group has concerns over the impact on an area used by locals. |
| Chairman Stephen Gray said: "Our community, which is using the woodland, and the Nairn people, who are using the woodland, are going to get that taken away from them and replaced by a community of a certain way of thinking." | Chairman Stephen Gray said: "Our community, which is using the woodland, and the Nairn people, who are using the woodland, are going to get that taken away from them and replaced by a community of a certain way of thinking." |
| Other opponents have also claimed the plan could severely disrupt animals and birds in an area home to badgers, roe dear and red squirrels. | Other opponents have also claimed the plan could severely disrupt animals and birds in an area home to badgers, roe dear and red squirrels. |
| However, the Forestry Commission has stressed that its planning application is aimed at creating a sustainable lifestyle and ensuring that the concept of "living in a forest" has minimal impact. | However, the Forestry Commission has stressed that its planning application is aimed at creating a sustainable lifestyle and ensuring that the concept of "living in a forest" has minimal impact. |
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