§ Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what applications have been made to the Forestry Commission for planting grant in respect of land at Crichness in East Lothian; and what decisions have been made on such applications.
§ Mr. John MacKayAltogether, the Forestry Commission has received a total of five grant applications for proposed planting at Crichness. The first, for the planting of some 240 hectares, was made in November 1984, but was withdrawn in January 1985 following the sale of the land and before a decision was given. The second application was made by the new owners in January 1985 and covered 508 hectares. This was replaced in February 1985 by one for 212 hectares. Consideration of this revised application was suspended in March 1985 when it was learnt that planting had already commenced on part of the area; no grants were paid in respect of this planting.
A fourth grant application, covering 225 hectares lying outside the area already planted, was submitted in September 1985. The Forestry Commission has since indicated that it would be prepared to approve this application subject to the applicants producing a satisfactory landscaping plan.
The latest application, made in December 1985, is for the proposed planting of 8.4 hectares of broadleaved trees under the broadleaved woodland grant scheme. This is still under consideration.