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 Kerloch Woodland, Aberdeenshire A well established commercial forestry plantation, located in a scenic position near Banchory in Aberdeenshire is on sale with Scotland’s leading property consultants CKD Galbraith. Kerloch Forest is a mid rotation Sitka spruce and Sitka spruce pine intimate mixture, planted between 1982 and 1987 and offering 295 hectares (729 acres) of woodland located six miles from Banchory and approximately 23 miles from Aberdeen.
The plantation is well stocked producing quality timber whilst ‘thinning’ in the near future will produce the opportunity for an early income. A number of burns, fringed with broadleaves, run through the property which along with the open areas and moorland, provide great amenity interest. There are also fantastic sporting opportunities in the form of red and roe deer stalking together with an enjoyable rough shoot which includes red grouse, hare, rabbits and woodcock. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of the property is that planning consent was granted for a 25 turbine wind on an adjacent property by Aberdeenshire Council in June 2005. The planning permission granted for the development of the Mid Hill Wind Farm includes the eastern end of Kerloch Hill, which it is anticipated will benefit from the installation of two turbines. Fred Olsen Renewables Limited (FORL) has entered into an option agreement with the current property owner, based on an annual payment of £10,000 (index linked) during the option period, to lease sufficient land within Kerloch Forest to accommodate part of the wind farm. The purchaser shall be obliged to take on the benefits and obligations of this agreement upon purchase. The option can be renewed annually until May 2016 at the developer’s discretion upon payment of the annual renewal fee. If the option is exercised and the wind farm is constructed, a 27 year lease will be entered into and subject to a minimum rental of £10,000 per annum (indexed), the owner of Kerloch will receive: - a rent based upon £1.25 per Megawatt (MW) of electricity exported or - four percent of the gross revenue or - £2,500 (indexed) per MW installed on the property. While final turbine specification has not yet been agreed, each turbine will be between two to three MW. Rod Christie, of CKD Galbraith’s Elgin office, said: “Kerloch is a fantastic opportunity to acquire an excellent commercial forestry plantation which not only has enormous amenity value but also the potential to produce a significant income through the wind farm proposal. Interest is expected from a wide range of buyers including both commercial investors and private individuals keen to benefit from the various tax benefits woodlands provide as well as to those with sporting and amenity interests.” Kerloch Woodland is on sale at a guide price of £745,000. |
Rural agency 
