A community group is opposing a proposal to plant Sitka spruce next to a nature reserve that recently received public funding to remove the non-native conifer.

The initiative has upset campaigners, who state that the proposed site is comprised of deep peat, bringing into question the legality of the move.

The team at Tarras Valley Nature reserve (TVNR) recently began removing self-seeding Stika in a move to restore natural habitat at the site near Langholm, in Dumfries and Galloway.

Scottish Woodlands stated that “extensive ecological surveys” had been carried out on behalf of landowner James Jones and Sons Ltd, to ensure the viability of the project during the application phase.

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A representative from Scottish Woodlands said: “The plan covers an area of 1,050 hectares of which 473 hectares is proposed for woodland creation. The balance of the area would be retained for agricultural use, and this includes all the areas identified as deep peat, following extensive ecological surveys.”

Documents state that 45% of the area would be planted in Stika, 19% in native broadleaf and a further 18% in mixed conifer.

Scottish Woodlands argue that the move is key to bolstering the UK forestry sector and help counteract the volume of imported timber, as Stika is one of the fastest growing conifers. Currently the UK is the second largest importer of timber, with only China importing more.

Scotland regularly fails to reach the government’s tree planting thresholds and the industry body states this project could help make that more achievable.

The Save Warblaw Action Group (SWAG) has since formed to protest the plans.

Since forming they have garnered over 1,000 signatories opposed to the woodland creation scheme and are determined to fight the possible “colonisation of the land by this non-native ivasive species.”

In response to the developments the group said: “You couldn’t make it up. Public funding removing Sitka one side of the valley, and public funding going towards planting 214 hectares of Sitka on the other side, 1km away.”

Around 30% of the area surrounding Langholm is covered by conifer forest, with a further 2,457ha slated for development.

Scottish Woodlands stated that half of the 1,050ha Warblaw site would remain agricultural, but SWAG raised concerns about connecting it to existing 350ha woodland.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh recently recommended ending public subsidies for conifer plantations, advocating instead for millions of native broadleaf trees that capture more CO2 and support biodiversity. Meanwhile, scientists reported a significant drop in land's carbon absorption last year.

Scottish Forestry has a budget of £45m for its Forestry Grant Scheme (FGS), which goes towards funding woodland creation.

The public body said funding contribution to these schemes was gradually being reduced, with large commercial schemes already receiving lower rates of grant compared to smaller farmer and native schemes.

A Scottish Forestry spokesperson said: “Conifers have many benefits as they sequester harmful CO2 many times faster than broadleaves and the timber gained from these forests goes to wooden products that lock up carbon for its lifetime. And that is on top of supporting many thousands of rural jobs and reducing the need to import wood.

“The Warblaw proposal is still at a relatively early stage of development, and the woodland creation application process requires that the developer identifies and considers the full range of environmental and community issues.”

If approved, planting on Warblaw would start in spring 2025.