A local community in Forres, with backing from two public agencies, is to become the latest to take ownership of an area of land and manage it in the interest of local people.

The Forres Community Woodlands Trust, a body made up of local people, has been successful in its bid to acquire the 117.5-acre Sanquhar Woodlands, which lies to the south and east of Forres and is enjoyed by many as a local green space.

The woodland consists mainly of semi-mature Scots pine with other conifers and mixed broadleaves.  Its close proximity to and accessibility from the town make it an attractive prospect for community ownership and is in keeping with other local woodlands previously acquired by the Trust.

The Trust now plans to develop and implement a sustainable forest management plan for Sanquhar woodland based on silvicultural and environmental best practices. The woodland will be maintained as a high quality landscape and biodiversity asset for the community and visitors to the area.  In addition it will provide a place for people of all abilities to take healthy exercise, and the wood will also act as a resource for environmental education for schools and other youth groups within the community.

It is also expected that some projects undertaken within the woodlands will increase the local skills base and provide local employment through timber harvesting and other capital works.

The Community Land Unit at Highlands and Islands Enterprise is backing the purchase with a grant of £50,000 towards the purchase price of £147,000.  HIE's John Watt said: "Sanquhar Woodland is an asset to which local people attach considerable value, and clearly I am delighted that the Trust has been successful in its bid to buy the woodland and that we have been able to support the bid. The community, through the Trust, has developed clear thinking on their plans for the future of this woodland, which stand to generate significant social benefits as well as a number of economic opportunities."

A further £30,000 is being provided by Scottish Natural Heritage. David Bale, SNH's acting area manager for Grampian, said:  "We are very pleased to help Forres Community Woodlands Trust secure Sanquhar Woodlands. The purchase will allow the local communities to have the power to decide how best to manage the area to encourage greater enjoyment and understanding of the woodland environment and its wildlife, while achieving a sustainable timber crop. This is a rare opportunity and we wish the Trust well for the future."

Chris Piper, chairman of the Forres Community Woodlands Trust, said:  "Sanquhar Woodlands form an important part of the social and environmental fabric of Forres.   We greatly appreciate the support from both HIE and SNH and are delighted that our offer has been accepted.  We can now look forward to the challenges of managing the wood for the good of the local community.   The first step is to identify community and management priorities for the woodland.  The Trust will also assess the availability of necessary skills within the community to develop the woodlands and explore future sources of funding, support and advice to help implement our plans."

Other local woodlands at Muiry and New Forres Woodlands were purchased by the Turust in 2000, a purchase that was also backed by HIE.