Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to be Completed for Woodland Creation Proposals in 2025

Due to the sensitivity and complexity of certain aspects of the area, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required to assess the impact, including beneficial, on some key sensitive areas such as the Upper Tweed National Scenic Area and the River Tweed Site of Special Scientific Interest / Special Area of Conservation. The EIA process is mandated by the Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and includes targeted consultation with statutory bodies, including Scottish Forestry, NatureScot, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) to identify and assess potential significant impacts. We anticipate completing the EIA in the autumn of 2025, at which time we will provide a further update on our progress including the publication of the EIA report.

Throughout this process, we have navigated complex ecological, environmental, and social considerations, and community input has been essential in helping us address these challenges thoughtfully. We continue to encourage those interested to get in touch with questions and comments using the ‘Get in Touch’ form on our Updates page, or to email info@stobohopeforest.co.uk

Get in touch

If you’d like to contact us regarding our plans for Stobo Hope Forest please feel free to complete the form below and we’ll take your comments into consideration.

17 April 2025

Following on from the Scoping meeting please find the surveys that were submitted for the original EIA Screening Opinion Request:

10 April 2025

The agenda for the EIA Scoping Meeting on April 15th will follow the standard format as outlined in appendix 1 of Scottish Forestry’s guidance:

Undertaking an Environmental Impact Assessment in Forestry 2022 (7).pdf

Stobo woodland creation EIA forestry project

Scoping meeting 15 April 2025

Chair: Cameron Maxwell, Head of Woodland Creation and Regulation, Scottish Forestry

 Agenda

1.    Introduction, apologies, purpose and content of the meeting

2.    Background and outline of proposals by the applicant

3.    Raising of relevant issues and concerns by each participant

4.    Correspondence in absentia

5.    Summary and close

20 March 2025

Under the EIA regulations, an invite only EIA Scoping Meeting will be taking place with statutory and local stakeholders in attendance. The following stakeholders have been invited:

  • NatureScot

  • Scottish Environmental Protection Agency

  • Scottish Borders Council

  • Historic Environment Scotland

  • Rural Payments and Services

  • Scottish Water

  • RSPB

  • Manor, Stobo, and Lyne Community Council

  • Tweed Forum

  • Stobo Residents Action Group

  • Timber Transport Forum

  • South Scotland Golden Eagle Project

  • Borders Deer Management Group

  • Immediate Neighbours

  • Local Community Representatives

Issues Log (2024)

  • Upper Tweed Community Council

  • Lothian and Borders Raptor Study Group

  • Butterfly Conservation Trust

  • Lothian and Borders Ramblers Group

  • Southern Upland Partnership

  • Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

  • Industry Representatives

17 Mar 2025

A new set of ecological surveys commissioned for the Environmental Impact Assessment. These include:

  • Black grouse survey

  • Breeding bird survey

  • Phase 1, NVC, and GWDTE surveys

  • Protected species surveys

  • Cumulative impact assessment