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Creating havens for wildlife and residents

Redford Woods and Bloomiehall Park to be given new lease of life

A clean, healthy and attractive environment is essential to everyone’s wellbeing.

That is why maintaining and improving the streets, parks and other open spaces around Edinburgh is one of the four top priorities of the Council’s neighbourhoods.

As part of their local plan, the neighbourhoods are working closely with other partner agencies and, importantly, local communities to make a real difference to the environment.

As we approach spring 2012, Outlook has been speaking to the neighbourhood managers and members of the community about the projects which are making a real difference.

Redford Woods

Ambitious plans to make Redford Woods a haven for wildlife and the community have been drawn up by local residents.

The plans will see Redford Woods brought up to Nature Conservation area status. A draft plan has been created in conjunction with the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust.

The blueprint outlines a ten-year management plan which includes:

Improvements to the path network through the woodland including a link onto Redford Road to the west of the old NAAFI building, widening the overgrown pathways, and improving some of the ad-hoc paths that run beside the burn
The removal of the, now redundant, Defence Estate fencing and the erection of less obtrusive safety fences along sections of the Braid Burn
The removal of invasive weeds such as Giant Hogweed and Japanese Hogweed as well as non-native plant species to encourage native plant types
The thinning out of the Millennium plantation which has become overgrown
Plant wildflower species to encourage insects, especially bees
The creation of an environment where wild animals, such as deer, otters, Mallard ducks and Greater Spotted Woodpecker among others flourish
A general tidying of fallen trees and bushes to open up the woodland for the benefit of wildlife
Reducing the amount of dog fouling
Stopping fly-tipping of garden rubbish
New signage to lead walkers through the improved path network
Making the woodland a safe place for local children to play and schools to carry out outdoor learning.

The work will be funded by the trust, and the Council, and the plan is in consultation with the Colinton Amenity Association.

Chair of the Pentland’s Neighbourhood Partnership environmental sub group, David Bewsey, said that it would greatly improve the wood and provide a fantastic recreational area for local people.

“It will link Tollcross with Morningside and Oxgangs and provide a wonderful green network taking you out of the city,” he said.

Consultation on the plan was held during January.

Community parks officer Craig Dunlop said: “Once again, this shows what can be achieved when the local community is closely involved with the project.”