A proposed 10-year management plan has been drawn up by Central Scotland Forest Trust (CSFT), tasked by landowners Falkirk Council with making the area safer and more bio-diverse.

The plan is on display in both Bo'ness Library and the Recreation Centre, and local feedback is encouraged by the end of August.

If given the green light by the council, CSFT aim to put in a funding bid for the majority of the £160-200,000 needed to the Forestry Commission next month.

This would be followed by an application to Falkirk Environment Trust for match funding.

Work could get under way by this winter if the money is made available, with most of the plan executed in year one.

High winds have toppled a growing number of trees in recent years and those still standing, mainly conifers, are unstable in some areas.

With little light reaching the woodland floor, lower level plants have also suffered.

CSFT sustainable development officer Mike Ewart, pictured, discussed the proposals for the next decade at a public meeting last week, before going on a site visit with inter-ested locals.

He has been involved in habitat and tree surveys since an earlier public meeting in February, and said that feedback was positive.

Of the planned felling work, Mike likened it to ''removing the rotten bits of an apple''.

He said: "It can initially be quite visually jarring but if you're managing the woodland properly that's a temporary thing.

"With more light getting in to ground level, natural regeneration occurs, with very strong growth."

Local councillor Adrian Mahoney said: "I think there's agreement that something has to be done.

''Kinneil Woodlands are important to local people, who want to see them thrive.

"But there have been problems of trees blowing down in recent years and we need to look at ways of moving forward."

He added: "The good thing about the plan is doing things in stages."

The plan can be viewed online at www.csft.org.uk

* Contact Mike Ewart with your feedback at Hillhouseridge, Shottskirk Road, Shotts, North Lanarkshire ML7 4JS. Call him on 01501 824795 or e-mail him on mike.ewart@csft.org.uk