The supply of the “potential retention” of the landmark large sequoia timber on the highest of Cambusbarron’s Gillies Hill, threatened by quarrying, this week acquired a cautious welcome from campaigners.
Patersons Quarries, which goals to start work on the dormant Murrayshall Quarry this 12 months, issued an announcement this week saying it was dedicated to growing and contemplating choices over the following 5 years acceptable “to all of the events for potential retention of the timber”.
Work on a quarry entry street from Polmaise Street commenced in January, and final week a casual group of villagers arrange a Change.org petition calling for the 5 redwood timber to be saved.
As of yesterday morning (Tuesday) the petition had acquired virtually 800 signatures.
The 164ft excessive timber are understood to have been planted by the homeowners of the Polmaise Property within the mid nineteenth century and will be seen for miles round.
Patersons Quarries identified in an announcement this week: “The high-quality rock that exists in Murrayshall Quarry is essential for supporting the uncooked materials calls for of the development trade within the wider Stirlingshire space.
“Patersons Quarries work with all stakeholders to minimise the impression of our quarrying actions on the native setting.
“The 5 redwood timber situated inside the Murrayshall Quarry boundary usually are not situated in part of the quarry that will likely be lively within the subsequent 5 years subsequently Patersons are dedicated to utilizing this time to develop and think about choices that might be acceptable to all events for potential retention of the timber.”
Click on right here for extra information and sport from the Stirling space.
Responding to the assertion, Cambusbarron villager Matthew Strutt, a part of a casual group which drew up the Change.org petition, mentioned: “It’s optimistic they want to have a look at choices for the ‘potential retention’ of the timber.
“The aim of the petition is to collect public help for saving the sequoias and we are going to proceed publicising our marketing campaign till there's a definitive reply from Patersons that's ‘acceptable to all events’”.
Longstanding campaigners in opposition to quarrying on the hill, the Save Gillies Hill group, additionally issued an announcement this week stating that Patersons had agreed to offer them with progress experiences assessing the viability of retaining the sequoias twice a 12 months.
Chairperson of Save Gillies Hill Melissa Nelson added: “We're happy that Patersons seem to share the identical respect now we have for the historic and biodiversity worth of the 5 sequoia timber.
“Defending and preserving the 5 sequoia timber means they are going to be left standing to take satisfaction of place sooner or later restoration of the quarry.”
Final 12 months Patersons Quarries have been granted permission for a observe linking Polmaise Street to Murrayshall Quarry, paving the way in which for quarrying to renew.
Approval had dealt “an enormous blow” to the longstanding marketing campaign to cease excavations resuming on the dormant quarry by Save Gillies Hill.
A Scottish Authorities reporter had upheld Patersons Quarries’ attraction in opposition to councillors’ rejection of plans, lodged in 2018, for the observe.
Granting planning permission, reporter David Liddell identified that the precept of quarrying on the website had already been established.
Stirling Council had turned down the scheme on the grounds of noise, the impression on air high quality and street security – in addition to the extent of tree loss on the hill.
Final month campaigners and members of Extinction Rebel Stirling staged a peaceable protest in opposition to the resumption of quarrying exercise on Gillies Hill.