Updates

2/12/2025

New Woodland Creation EIA Report Being considered by Scottish Forestry

The Glen Dye Moor New Woodland Creation EIA Report has been submitted to Scottish Forestry and is undergoing review. A consultation period of 44 days begins on the 4th of December 2025. Any persons wishing to make representations or comments regarding the EIA Report should address them to Scottish Forestry. Comments must be sent within the 44 day period, which is extended to account for the festive break.

Scottish Forestry, Grampian Conservancy, Portsoy Road, Huntly, AB54 4SJ
or email to grampian.cons@forestry.gov.scot

Scottish Ministers may decide either to grant consent subject to conditions as required by Regulation 4 of the Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017, or subject to further conditions as they see fit, or consent may be refused.

A redacted copy of the EIA Report is included below. Redactions are required to comply with GDPR and Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Glen Dye Moor EIA Report Volume 1 Non-Technical Summary
Glen Dye Moor EIA Report Table of Contents
Glen Dye Moor EIA Report Volume 2 Chapters 1 to 16
Glen Dye Moor EIA Report Volume 3 Visualisations and Maps
Glen Dye Moor EIA Report Volume 4 Appendices

25/08/2025

Proposed Gate Locations

We’re inviting your feedback on the proposed locations for new gates on the property. As we continue our operational planning, we want to ensure we maintain free access to the site while minimising the impact of new fencing. Your input is crucial in helping us finalise the design and placement of these access points.

We aim to provide recreational access by:

• Maintaining existing paths and improving signage.
• Installing gates at every mapped access point suitable for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.
• Complying with the Outdoor Access Code (Scotland), with non-vehicular gates conforming to advice from the British Horse Society.
• Adding new signs along fence lines to guide users to the nearest gate.

How to Provide Your Feedback

We have prepared maps showing the proposed locations for gates and access points. You can view these maps here:

Overview Map of Access Gates
Inset Map 1 Clachnaben
Inset map 2 Charr Bothy
Inset map 3 Spittal Car Park

We welcome your views and comments to help inform the final design. Please share your feedback or any questions you have by using the ‘Get in Touch’ form.

The deadline for all responses is 12th September 2025.

31/08/2024

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be Completed for Woodland Creation Proposals in 2025

Due to the sensitivity and complexity of certain aspects of the area, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required to assess the impact, including beneficial, on some key sensitive areas such as The River Dee Special Area of Conservation. The EIA process is mandated by the Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and includes targeted consultation with statutory bodies, including Scottish Forestry, NatureScot, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to identify and assess potential significant impacts. We anticipate completing the EIA in the spring 2025, at which time we will provide a further update on our progress including the publication of the EIA report.

Throughout this process, we have navigated complex ecological, environmental, and social considerations, and community input has been essential in helping us address these challenges thoughtfully. We continue to encourage those interested to get in touch with questions and comments using the ‘Get in Touch’ form on our Updates page, or to email consultation@glendyemoor.com

31/08/2024

EIA Maps

The links below relate to a series of maps detailing the proposals as they sit in 2024 prior to carrying out the statutory Environmental Impact Assessment. These will be superseded by an EIA Report expected in early 2025.

View EIA Screening Request Map
View New Infrastructure Maps North, South and West
View Constraints Map Habitat and Water
View Constraints Map Landscape, Cultural Heritage & Recreation
View Constraints Map Soil Sensitivity
View EIA Screening Species Design Overview Map

31/08/2024

Landscape Review

The landscapes at Glen Dye Moor are part of what make this site special. The review included below looks at the woodland design and how it relates to the landforms and character of the place.

31/08/2024

Recreational Addendum

There are many recreational assets at Glen Dye Moor such as Clachnaben. Ensuring we understand these interests allows us to plan operations in a way that does not detract from their use. View our assessment of recreation interests and mitigations below.

31/08/2024

Water Environment

Proposals to increase native woodland cover around watercourses will result in over 66 kilometres of shaded streams whereas currently there are only around 6km. This will greatly improve conditions for salmon and other aquatic species of animals and insects.

31/08/2024

Issues Log (condensed) 2024

Following additional consultation with Scottish Forestry and other stakeholders, the key issues on site are identified here along with a list of mitigations proposed to ensure appropriate protection of sensitive features.

Issues Log
Mitigations List

31/08/2024

Concept Map

31/08/2024

Ecology Summary & Map

An overview of findings can be found here resulting from extensive survey work looking at the current flora and fauna at Glen Dye Moor.

31/08/2024

Archaeology Report and Maps (public version)

Results from archaeological surveys can be found here. These outline the rich history of this place. Cultural heritage sites with are potentially sensitive have been removed from the map to avoid risk of disturbance.

19/03/2024

Landmark natural capital project passes peatland restoration milestone

Press release on scottishbusinessnews.net | 19/03/2024

PAR Equity (‘Par’), the Scottish-based forestry investment fund manager, Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, and Scottish Woodlands Ltd, today announced that the first phase of peatland restoration has been completed in an ambitious natural capital scheme in the north-east of Scotland.

31/08/2023

Planning Work Continues

August 2023 included the launch of an updated Concept Map and a public drop-in session at Stachan Hall to let the community know how things are coming along.

There will be ongoing discussions with Scottish Forestry, NatureScot, Aberdeenshire Council, SEPA, and other key stakeholders to finalise the woodland design at Glen Dye Moor.

We are also pleased to announce the first phase of peatland restoration is now approved and will begin in September 2023.