Dalby Forest wildlife fears prompt site visit (From Gazette & Herald)

Dalby Forest wildlife fears prompt site visit

11:18am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in News

NATIONAL park planners are to make a fact-finding trip prompted by concerns that a proposed trail will harm wildlife.

The Forestry Commission wants to create a multi-user trail in Dalby Forest but residents fear of Low Dalby fear the scheme will destroy the natural habitat of birds and other wildlife, and otters would not survive along the stretch of the river through the forest.

The trail would provide access for people with a range of disabilities, and David Brewster of Ryedale Special Familiest told the park’s planning committee: “We have a long tradition of holding activities in Dalby Forest. In the main, the forest meets the majority of our needs but the missing element is a challenging trail in terms of its length that would give our families a real experience of the woodlands and meadows.”

A site visit was agreed.

The committee approved plans for a freestanding information board at The Forge Cottage, demolition of a dwelling at Herongarth, Maltongate, and an extension to 1 Dale View, all in Thornton-le-Dale; two log cabins, High Lane, Cropton, and a pig finishing building at Stiltons Farm, Rievaulx.

A proposed pig finishing building at Waterloo Farm, Sproxton, was turned down.