Problem
Following a withdrawal of plans for the proposed Cathay Housing Development, the developer has now submitted amended plans for the development of 12 houses adjacent to the Muiry Woodlands.

The scheme, if approved, will result in the removal of a massive 2.9 hectares of ancient native woodlands. The proposed area is a valuable habitat which is home to some very important fauna and flora, including red squirrels, badgers and pine martens, including a variety of breeding birds, some of which are on the endangered list.

A housing development in this area will destroy a significant part of a valuable woodland ecosystem and will result in a great loss of local natural heritage.

Solution
If you have not already done so, we urge all Forres Community Woodlands Trust members and all those who have an interest in our woodlands to lodge an objection to this application by signing this petition.

If the application is approved, this will lead to the demise of the Muiry Woodlands as we know them.

This petition will be presented to the Moray Council Planning & Regulatory Services Committee who have the power to decline this application.

The application is now available for review and comment on the Moray Council Planning Portal under reference 18/01117/APP and we encourage you to submit a formal objection there too.

https://publicaccess.moray.gov.uk/eplanning/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PDSRF9BGK0L00

Personal story
The Forres Community Woodlands Trust CWT has strongly objected to this planning application on the basis of potential destruction of a valuable woodland ecosystem and loss of natural heritage.

Further, we are of the opinion that such a development directly contravenes existing environmental policies of The Moray Council and The Scottish Government.

We are also concerned that a successful application in this case will encourage the developer to build another 12 or more houses on the other half of his land, which adjoins the Muiry Woodlands.