St Magdalene's Hill

St Magdalene's Hill lies within an area of great landscape value that surrounds Perth and has been identified as an area for open space and recreational use. Planning policies seek to retain and enhance this area and protect it from built development through encouragement of sensitive woodland management schemes, improved public access and informal recreation provision.

An initial meeting was held to gauge the interest of the local community which resulted in several local people forming a steering group to guide the project to fruition.

The main aims and objectives of the project are:

Aims

• Increase local use of St Magdalene's Hill by improving access to and within the site
• Improve the landscape quality and setting of St Magdalene's and Hilton Hill
• Create an attractive natural environment, designed to accommodate informal recreation for the adjacent urban communities
• Enhance local biodiversity by assisting the development of a wide range of habitats including the development of new native woodland areas
• Address sustainability issues, including use of recycled materials and locally obtained materials from the neighbouring Friarton Quarry
• Promote community involvement in the proposed works and subsequent management

Objectives

• Manage the existing woodland in a sensitive and sustainable manner to provide an accessible, informal recreational facility
• Develop new woodlands areas which take account of key viewpoints and biologically diverse areas
• Promote and encourage structural diversity and natural regeneration
• Minimise risk to public safety and nuisance to neighbouring residents
• To fulfill all legal or contractual obligations of the SFGS committed to within the plan period

It is envisaged that the project will benefit the whole community through education, health and well being. The project is progressing well and it is due to be completed by the end of February 2006.