Survey shines spotlight on future of community woodland
Last updated 7th Nov 2024
The landscape around a community woodland in Galashiels is rapidly changing with the construction of the town's new secondary school progressing at pace.
Once complete, the neighbouring swimming pool will also be flattened to pave the way for the Academy's new staff car park.
Scottish Borders Council is now drawing up a management plan to help shape the future of the Gala Policies.
And a survey is being circulated around the town to give locals a chance to have their say.
Julie Nock, who's compiling the responses, told Greatest Hits Radio: "I think it's an incredibly important part of Galashiels.
"We expect, when the new school opens, it will actually slightly change the way people move through the Policies in some way.
"As there's no lighting and there's not as much daylight at this time of year, we're keen to hear: do people feel safe in the Policies? And, if not, what could be put in place to allow them to feel safe?
"There are also questions around accessibility, because there's not an awful lot of hardcore paths.
"But, because it's an area for nature as well, do we want that?"
Nestled between Scott Park, Balmoral housing estate, and Hollybush, the Policies previously belonged to New Gala House, which was built for the Laird of Gala.
But it fell into disrepair after World War Two, and was later demolished.
The site was purchased by the then Selkirkshire County Council in 1974 and, according to the local authority "has become an important space for both people and nature".
In 2021, councillors pledged to protect the woodlands, amid concerns part of it could be chopped down to make way for a road to a potential new housing development.
Picking up the story, Julie said: "There was a huge uproar.
"There are a lot of people that fought for it then, who are still fighting for it now, because people love the Policies.
"They love the fact it's like a bit of wilderness right on their doorstep, and it can take them to so many places around the Borders if they want to start there."
The survey is being delivered to homes in the Balmoral area of Galashiels, however it's also available online - here - until November 25th.
Julie, a freelance consultant, said: "I'm hoping that people far and wide will tell us what they think about the Policies - what they'd like; what they'd like to keep; and whether they want to change it at all.
"Because we know it's not just people from Galashiels that use the woodland, people from all over use it, because it's part of the Southern Upland Way, and it's on lots of bigger paths networks."
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our new home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/