Statement of Concerns Regarding Proposed Tree Planting by Caledonian Properties Ltd
Forestry Grant Scheme application number 24FGS80279 (CPL Scheme 2 Woodland
Creation; Caledonian Properties Ltd).

Context

Baldernock is a small, rural parish just outside the Glasgow City boundary and close to other urban areas. It is an attractive area enjoyed by residents and visitors alike, with rolling fields surrounded by hedges and drystone dykes, interspersed with some areas of established woodland. It includes two small villages as well as scattered rural settlements, dwellings and farms.

The whole area is of historical significance. Farming has taken place here for over 300 years, with records going back to the 1760s. Historically, the land was viewed as good, arable ground. Crops included barley, oats and flax, and the local estate was self-sufficient in dairy produce, meat, fruit and vegetables.

Currently, Baldernock supports a mixture of arable and livestock farming. Most of the areas earmarked for tree planting proposed by Caledonian Properties Ltd are currently used by small farmers and smallholders for grazing sheep, cattle and horses, including prizewinning racehorses and pedigree cattle. There is a hay meadow, which is cut annually. These local farmers, some of whom have worked this land for generations, are subject to short term grazing agreements, which means they have virtually no rights over what happens to the land.

Of great concern is that the proposed tree planting will negatively and severely impact upon the livelihoods of these small farmers, as well as on the much-valued landscape and the biodiverse habitat created by the good management of these valued parcels of land, used productively for many years despite the applicant’s assertions to the contrary.

It is notable that a very recent survey carried out by the Scottish Land Commission (Scottish Land Commission, 2025) highlighted the need for earlier, more meaningful involvement in decisions about land use, concerns about opportunities being limited by concentrated land ownership, and about absentee ownership and the need for more accountability. All of these issued are illustrated in this application and its impact on those who have no little or no voice in decisions taken about the land on which they are dependent.

Negative impacts of the proposal on climate change mitigation

The purpose of the Forestry Grants Scheme for tree planting is to mitigate the impact of climate change. Scottish Government policy emphasises that it should be the 'right tree in the right place'. It is our opinion, based on the local landscape and its uses, that trees planted in this area would be in the wrong place. Carbon capture from planting trees is now considered by many specialists to be a poor choice and often unsuccessful. On the other hand, permanent pasture, of the kind represented in the areas of land identified in this application, stores carbon. Twice as much carbon is stored in soil as in vegetation and when land is disrupted, as it would be for the proposed tree planting, it releases carbon into the atmosphere. Carbon released into the atmosphere contributes to climate change (Smith, 2022). The proposed tree planting would therefore result in the release of carbon into the atmosphere. A hay meadow – such as the one included in this proposal - also stores carbon and requires ‘very little to no fertiliser or pesticide’ thus they ‘avoid the carbon emissions that are released during their manufacture or use’ (Riggall, 2023). The process of tree planting would also involve the use of heavy vehicles and machinery, releasing further emissions into the atmosphere. We therefore contend that this tree planting plan would not mitigate against climate change, but instead would contribute to it.

Negative impacts of the proposal on landscape

In accordance with Scottish planning policy, East Dunbartonshire Council has designated ‘Bardowie, Baldernock and Torrance’ as a ‘Local Landscape Area’ (LLA) (East Dunbartonshire Council, 2022) in order to safeguard and enhance the character and quality of a landscape that is important or particularly valued locally or regionally. This designation by the local authority is because of the area’s special landscape qualities. In their natural environment planning guidance (East Dunbartonshire Council, 2018) they note that ‘the rural setting of the area is distinctive from other parts of East Dunbartonshire due to its strongly rolling relief. A network of minor roads, often single track connects historic settlements within a well-managed farmed landscape…’ (p111) and highlight the LLA’s ‘characteristic undulating drumline landform… the wider landscape setting of small farms… open, long distance vistas of Glasgow to the south… localised series of views across the drumlin landscape… well-managed small farms with varying size and orientation of fields…’ and the core paths that lead into the countryside north of Balmore and Torrance (p23). This valued landscape of Baldernock, in which the proposed tree planting would take place, is unique in its variety, encompassing woodland, hills, permanent grazing pasture, and a hay meadow. The Scottish Government encourages the preservation and creation of hay meadows, noting that ‘Species rich grasslands have declined dramatically in recent decades and now occupy just two percent of Scotland's farmland grassland’ (Scottish Government, 2017). Residents note that where areas of young trees have already been planted in Baldernock, many have died. Of those that have survived, protective plastic tubing has not been removed and is left to blow away. Caledonian Properties Ltd are currently responsible for some of the existing woodlands in Baldernock which appear to be very poorly maintained, which bodes ill for any further planting of woodland by the applicants within this special landscape.

Negative impacts of the proposal on farming and food security

Most of the land included in the application is currently leased by local farmers for the grazing of livestock and racehorses. The loss to these small businesses of this land will significantly impact their viability. The planting would use the entire acreage currently leased by one smallholder and a significant portion of that leased by other farmers. It appears that the rights of these leaseholders are very limited since Caledonian Properties Ltd put all on short-term leases in the last few years. Galbraith’s has previously described the land proposed for tree planting to be ‘unproductive/former grazing land’. On the contrary, leaseholders advise that most of the land is more than adequate to support the grazing of sheep and horses and some is of a quality to be used for the growing of silage. The hay meadow is clearly productive. If this land is turned over to plant high-density trees, it will be permanently lost to agriculture. Removing these parcels of land from agricultural use not only limits the viability of those farming the land currently, it also limits permanently the ability of new generations of farmers to get a foothold in farming. The impact on local agricultural small businesses would also be felt by businesses who provide supplies for the land and livestock. And, as events in recent years have shown, local food security, rather than reliance on imports, is becoming increasingly important. The proposed tree planting would result in the loss of perfectly good agricultural land which could not be reclaimed. The NFU has growing concerns about the impact of tree planting, and the irrevocable nature of this change in land use, on Scotland’s capacity to improve its self-sufficiency in food. It has expressed these concerns to representatives from Scottish Government and Scottish Forestry. NFU Scotland Vice President Andrew Connon has said (NFU, 2021): ‘On a weekly, if not daily basis, members are contacting us from all parts of the country about the loss of productive Scottish agricultural land to wholesale forestry.’ ‘We accept that land use is never a straight choice and integrated land use is clearly a major part of reaching net zero targets. But we are equally clear that optimal land use is the only route to attaining multiple objectives, and that must include food production, climate change ambitions and biodiversity enhancement… planting incentives and unregulated carbon markets are effectively eroding Scotland’s food security, adding to the risk of simply offshoring our emissions by increasing our reliability on imported products.’ ‘While the aggregate data on tree planting on land types over recent years shows how well Scotland is doing in reaching the Scottish Government’s planting targets, they disguise whether woodland has been integrated within thriving farming enterprises or whether once-productive land has been lost to trees… loss of agricultural activity, and the families it sustains, also risks irreversible socio-economic downturn in many rural areas… continuous agricultural land management is the best way to support communities, jobs and incomes across rural Scotland.’ The NFU supports the integration of woodlands into farm businesses and the benefits that can offer to some farmers. However, the leaseholders affected by this landowner’s application have been given no choice in the matter.

Negative impacts of the proposal on biodiversity

It is testament to the high standard of management of the land by local farmers that the area provides a rich habitat for animals, plants and birds. There are a great diversity of butterflies including small copper butterflies which have decreased by 40% in the last 50 years (Butterfly Conservation, 2025). There are hares and roe deer, wild geese, herons, swallows and a wide variety of other birds, including oyster catchers, grasshopper warblers, mistle and song thrushes, lapwings and curlews. Local birdwatchers have also identified skylarks, yellowhammers, whitethroats and woodcock. Swallows are declining in number, and whitethroats and song thrushes are on the RSPB amber list. Lapwings, curlews, grasshopper warblers, mistle thrushes, yellowhammers and woodcock are on the RSPB red list – all in critical decline. The flora is diverse and includes the greater butterfly orchid which has been in steady decline over the past 100 years and has a conservation status of ‘near threatened’ across the UK (Plantlife, 2025). Greater butterfly orchids are abundant in one particular area of Baldernock that would be lost to the proposed tree planting: a rare hay meadow, 97% percent of which have been lost since the 1930s. Also included in the application is land surrounding a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) -Bargeny Hill. This is designated an SSSI due to its plant and wildlife diversity, and includes a pool in which great crested newts can be found. While Bargeny Hill and the pool would not be within the tree planting area, the proposed woods would be immediately adjacent to it. The conditions which allowed plants and wildlife to thrive in the SSSI are influenced not only by the immediate area but also by the surrounding habitat and landscape. We believe that large areas of tree planting so close to the SSSI would likely have an impact upon it. Baldernock Community Council has had sight of a summary of the (limited) ecological survey of the affected areas undertaken on behalf of Caledonian Properties Ltd. The survey acknowledges that the tree planting will result in disruption to local birds (for example, that pairs of lapwings and curlews will be displaced), but argues that these birds can be accommodated in the wider area. The survey made little mention of invertebrates or plants and it is our view that it minimises the impacts of the proposed tree planting on the affected land and the flora and fauna that depend upon it.

Negative impacts of the proposal on tourism, recreation and wellbeing

East Dunbartonshire Council wishes to attract tourists to the area, listing as a major attraction the open and attractive countryside, ideal for cycling, walking and enjoying nature. The promotion of local accommodation providers notes the ‘stunning scenery’ of the surrounding countryside, and the variety of wildlife found there. It was particularly apparent during COVID lockdowns how important access to the countryside was for the health and mental wellbeing of the thousands who were able to walk and cycle to and within Baldernock. The proposed tree planting would scar the local landscape for years to come. One of the areas proposed for planting is a hay meadow – rare from a biodiversity point of view - with many butterfly orchids, which is often visited and is highly valued by local residents for its beauty, with resulting positive impacts on mental and physical health.

Conclusion

Baldernock Community Council is opposed to the proposed tree planting in Baldernock by Caledonian Properties Ltd. We believe that this will contribute to, rather than mitigate, climate change. It will severely impact the livelihoods of local farmers, and it will damage the local economy. A highly-valued landscape will be changed irrevocably, and biodiverse habitat destroyed. This damage would be irreversible. We therefore urge Scottish Forestry to refuse the application by Caledonian Properties Ltd for financial support to pursue this damaging course of action.

References

Butterfly Conservation (2025) Available at https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/small-copper. Last accessed 28 November 2025.
East Dunbartonshire Council (2022) Local Development Plan, p129. Available at https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/media/3ixenqea/local-development-plan-2.pdf. Last accessed 28 November 2025.
East Dunbartonshire Council (2018) Natural Environment Planning Guidance. Available at https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/media/dggnns12/natural-environment.pdf Last accessed 28 November 2025.
NFU (2021) ‘Union Calls for Tighter Tree Planting Safeguards on Scotland’s Productive Farmland (2021) Available at https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/news/union-calls-for-tighter-tree-planting-safeguards-on-scotlands-productive-farmland. Last accessed 27 November 2025.
Plantlife (2025) Available at https://www.plantlife.org.uk/plants-and-fungi/greater-butterfly-orchid/. Last accessed 28 November 2025.
Riggall, J (2023) 'Imagining a meadow-filled future'. Available at https://www.scotlink.org/imagining-a-meadow-filled-future/. Last accessed 28 November 2025.
Scottish Government (2017) 'Supporting guidance for species-rich grassland management'. Available at https://www.ruralpayments.org/topics/all-schemes/agri-environment-climate-scheme/management-options-and-capital-items/species-rich-grassland-management/guidance-for-species-rich-grassland-management/. Last accessed 28 November 2025.
Scottish Land Commission (2025) Scotland Futures: Voices from Scotland. Available at https://www.landcommission.gov.scot/downloads/691ee8594974d_ScotLand%20Futures-Voice%20from%20Scotland.pdf?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Mailchimp&utm_campaign=Scotland_Futures&mc_cid=b15a0c666f&mc_eid=03cdfd1f05. Last accessed 28 November 2025.
Smith, P. (2022), Professor of Soils and Global Change, Aberdeen University, Director of Scottish Climate Change Centre, interviewed by James Al-Khalili on The Life Scientific, BBC Radio 4, 31st May 2022.

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Statement of Concerns Regarding Proposed Tree Planting by Caledonian Properties Ltd Forestry Grant Scheme application number 24FGS80279 (CPL Scheme 2 Woodland Creation; Caledonian Properties Ltd).