Environment / More than 1,600 trees could be planted near Dales Voe base as biodiversity measure
MORE than 1,600 trees could be planted as part of biodiversity enhancement measures relating to the proposed expansion of the Dales Voe base in Lerwick.
According to planning documents, Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) was unable to identify suitable peatland restoration in the surrounding area – leading to the idea of tree planting instead.
Shetland Amenity Trust (SAT) has identified areas along the Kebister Burn – near to the Dales Voe base – as suitable for tree planting. Around 1,680 trees could be planted.
In a report SAT said it has proposed a mix of native tree and shrub species, which the organisation could provide from its horticultural unit.
Shetland’s regional archaeologist Dr Val Turner has advised that four features should be fenced off under archaeological supervision with a minimum buffer of 25 metres.
“This will have the effect of removing an area of approx. 100m in length on the east side of the burn from the planting area around the crofting remains of Handigert which earthwork evidence suggests might have a Norse longhouse underneath,” she wrote in a submission to the planning service.
Lerwick Port Authority has history in tree planting schemes, having worked in partnership with the amenity trust and schools in the past.
The port authority received planning permission late last year to expand the Dales Voe base laydown area ahead of expected growth in decommissioning and offshore renewables.
The Dales Voe facility has been used by LPA in the past for the decommissioning of oil and gas infrastructure.
One of the conditions of the laydown expansion consent was for an agreement to be in place for one hectare of peatland restoration as a biodiversity enhancement measure in accordance with planning policy.
The LPA had said in a planning statement there is an expectation of more large decommissioning projects coming to Shetland over the next few years, and that expansion of the Dales Voe facilities is “crucial”.
It added “some of the decommissioning projects that are being planned are on a larger scale than what has been carried out previously”.
Allied to this is the expected construction of offshore wind farms in the waters around Shetland, with LPA in line to support the installation, operation and maintenance of developments.
There are also plans to turn Dales Voe into an ‘ultra-deep’ water facility to allow for larger decommissioning projects.
Earlier this week the LPA announced major dredging work which will deepen the central area of the port, in addition to areas at Dales Voe.
Chief executive Calum Grains said: “Dredging will open the door to the next stage of the port’s evolution, attracting future generations of larger vessels and benefitting all port users, particularly the pelagic fishing, cruise, oil and gas and renewables sectors.”
Meanwhile the idea of creating more community woodland areas in Shetland got an airing in the council chamber recently.
Shetland Greens member Alex Armitage highlighted the popularity of the Michaelswood attraction in Aith and said there were a number of benefits of community woodland areas, including increasing biodiversity.
He also suggested creating woodland on certain pieces of SIC land could also potentially reduce grass cutting costs.
“We could be creating more Michaelswood like areas around Shetland, and I think that would just enhance quality of life for folk in Shetland,” Armitage said.
Meanwhile the amenity trust is hosting a tree sale at its horticultural unit near the Rearo building in Lerwick today between 11am and 3pm, with more than 5,000 locally grown native and non-native trees on offer.
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