Gamescleuch Land Management Plan

The former forest design plans for West Benhar and Fauldhouse have been brought together into the Land Management Plan for Benhar and Fauldhouse Forests. The plan was formally approved in September 2018 and is scheduled for renewal by 2028. 

More recently the plan has been updated to reflect some significant developments:

• Rapid spread of a plant disease called Phytophthora ramorum and susceptibility of Larch species.
• Completion of windfarm construction in Benhar block.
• Improved techniques in restoring priority open habitats.

A summary of the current plan is provided here (PDF)

• 2016 - site survey and site analysis
• January 2018 - creation of design concept for the woodland including social, silvicultural and conservation aims
• Summer 2018 - consultation with local community and other statutory stakeholders
• Summer 2018 - application for approval to Forestry Commission Scotland
• Autumn 2018 - plan formally approved
• November 2024 – five year mid-term amendment approved

• Gamescleuch LMP text (PDF) - The whole LMP text document
• Location map (PDF) - Location and boundary of Gamescleuch
• Key features (PDF) - Shows the key features within and around the forest block
• Concept and Analysis map (PDF) -  shows the key factors that will influence the management of the forest.
• Management (PDF) - Shows the future planned management strategy
• Thinning (PDF) - Shows where thinning will take place
• Future habitats and species (PDF) - Shows the future forest species composition
• Road operations and timber haulage (PDF) - Shows where roading operations will take place and timber haulage routes
• Current woodland composition (PDF) - Shows the current composition of the forest
• Soils (PDF) - Shows the soil composition across the LMP unit
• DAMS (PDF) - Shows the results from the detailed aspect method of scoring windiness
• Forest visualisations (PDF) - Digital models illustrating the future outlook of the forest