Questions and answers

Gravitate North East is proposing a managed mountain biking facility at Pitfichie Hill: a formal car park, toilets, two downhill trails, managed trail access and associated visitor management. The aim is to formalise and better manage mountain biking that already takes place at Pitfichie, rather than create a large commercial bike park.

No. The proposal consists primarily of:

• One car park
• Toilets
• Two downhill trails
• Managed visitor facilities

The proposal is limited to the facilities described in the Community Asset Transfer request and its supporting documents. Any future changes beyond the lease, planning permissions or agreed operating arrangements would need to go through the appropriate approval routes.

Pitfichie is already an established mountain biking location, with a long history of informal riding, organised events, trail maintenance and youth coaching. The proposal aims to improve management, safety, parking and environmental oversight at a location already used by mountain bikers and other forest users.

No. Gravitate North East is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) established to support mountain biking, biodiversity and community development.

No. Definitely not. This will never be an option. The proposal uses conventional trail construction and earthworks methods that keep disturbance to the topsoil to a minimum. No use of explosives is proposed.

No. The proposal relates to defined areas for trails, car parking and supporting infrastructure. The wider Pitfichie and Corrennie Forest remains under Forestry and Land Scotland management.

No. The Community Asset Transfer request has been submitted, but that does not mean the project has approval. It still needs to go through assessment, consultation, planning and approval processes.

No. The two processes are separate. Planning matters such as traffic, drainage, ecology, construction, landscape impact and access are considered through the planning process.

The project may increase visits at certain times, particularly on event days or busy riding days. Traffic and access have been identified as key issues through consultation, and Gravitate North East has commissioned transport assessment work to understand road capacity, access arrangements and possible mitigation.

Concerns about the single-track road, passing places, farm access, school traffic and resident access have been raised repeatedly through consultation. They will need to be considered through the transport assessment, site design and the planning process. Possible measures include passing-place improvements, signage, stewarding for events, access management, speed-control measures and clear parking controls.

This concern has been raised. A formal car park is intended to reduce informal parking, but it will need to be supported by clear signage, parking management, communication with visitors and, where required, event-day stewarding.

Yes. Keeping access open for residents, farms, emergency vehicles and existing road users will be a key requirement of any workable access plan. This has been raised directly in feedback and must be addressed through the transport and planning process.

Traffic calming has been suggested by several people, including concerns about speeding through Monymusk and near the school and park. Any changes to public roads would need to be discussed with the roads authority, but Gravitate North East can support constructive discussions where the project creates an opportunity to improve existing road safety.

No. Public access rights remain unchanged. The aim is to improve management and reduce conflict between users.

The proposal relates to defined trail infrastructure and its management areas. Public access rights across the wider forest remain unchanged, although safe management of the downhill trail lines may need clear signage and separation where there is a risk of conflict between users.

Concerns from horse riders were raised during consultation, including rider speed, shared access and parking. These will need to be addressed through signage, trail separation where appropriate, visibility at crossing points, and communication with equestrian users as the project develops.

The intention is not to reduce walking access. Feedback has also highlighted existing problems with overgrowth and path condition, so the project could be an opportunity to improve information, signage and visitor management for all users, not only mountain bikers.

Environmental surveys and biodiversity planning are already part of the proposal, and trail locations will be refined to avoid sensitive features.

A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal has informed the Biodiversity Plan. The plan recognises habitats including coniferous woodland, upland heathland, native pine woodland, wet woodland, mixed deciduous woodland, dry stone walls, water features and areas affected by clear-felling after Storm Arwen.

The proposal is largely within commercial forestry and ground affected by earlier forestry operations and clear-felling. The final trail lines are intended to sit within defined construction corridors so that sensitive features can be avoided during detailed design.

The Biodiversity Plan recognises the need for further species recording and monitoring, including reporting sightings to NESBReC where appropriate. It also identifies habitat improvements that could support birds, bats, butterflies, moths, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

Night-time use was raised as a concern during consultation. It will be addressed in the future operating plan, including whether limits, opening hours, event rules or seasonal restrictions are needed to reduce disturbance and manage antisocial behaviour.

Residents have raised concerns about water supplies and surface water. The Community Asset Transfer request states that the car park location has been chosen to avoid watercourses, surface-water flow paths and household water supplies, and that surface-water features and seepage areas will be mapped and avoided during construction.

Drainage and run-off will need to be addressed through detailed trail design, construction methods, surface-water management and the planning process. The trails would be built and maintained to avoid impacts on surface water and drinking water supplies.

Toilets have been raised as both a need and a concern. The final arrangements for water supply, waste removal, cleaning and maintenance will need to be confirmed through detailed design and the operating plan.

Litter was raised repeatedly as a concern. The proposal includes formal site management, covering litter collection, toilet cleaning, trail maintenance, monitoring of roads and facilities, and behaviour management.

No. The site is not intended for overnight parking and would most likely be locked when not in use. Concerns about campervans, grey water and antisocial behaviour will also be covered in the future operating plan.

The project is intended to improve management of a site that is already used. Measures could include formal opening arrangements, signage, parking controls, regular site checks, event rules, litter management and communication with users.

Pitfichie has already hosted mountain biking events, and the proposal allows for managed events in future. Event numbers, frequency, stewarding, traffic management, first aid and public communication would be controlled through event planning and any conditions set by Forestry and Land Scotland, the planning authority or other relevant bodies.

The uplift would be a managed, pre-booked service with limited rider numbers. Concerns about vehicle movements, access, noise and road safety have been raised and will need to be addressed through the operating plan, booking system, transport assessment and any planning conditions.

Uplift lets downhill riders repeat runs for training and progression without climbing the hill each time. The Community Asset Transfer request identifies uplift as part of creating a focused downhill training and racing facility, particularly for youth riders, coaches and regional and national-level riders.

Gravitate North East's constitution sets out its charitable purposes around mountain biking participation in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, environmental improvement and community development. The project also recognises the importance of the local community around Pitfichie and Monymusk, because local residents are most directly affected by access, traffic and site management.

Yes. Gravitate North East has carried out a pre-feasibility questionnaire, attended community council meetings, held an information day, gathered written feedback and recorded concerns. Further public consultation will also be part of the Community Asset Transfer and planning processes.

Potential benefits identified through the Community Asset Transfer request and survey feedback include better parking, toilets, better site management, youth development, coaching, outdoor activity, volunteering, formal trail maintenance, biodiversity projects and possible benefit to local businesses.

No. Economic benefit depends on how the site is run, how visitors are encouraged to use local services, and whether local businesses want to be involved. Some feedback supported possible benefit to local businesses, while other feedback questioned whether mountain bikers would spend locally. That is a fair point, and it is something to evidence and develop rather than overstate.

The core proposal is focused on parking, toilets, trails and managed access. Feedback on a café or refreshments was mixed: some people supported local services, while others were concerned that on-site provision could compete with existing village businesses. Any commercial services would be considered carefully and in consultation with local businesses.

The current proposal is focused on downhill trails, but feedback repeatedly asked for provision for younger riders, families, beginners and less experienced riders. This will be considered as the project develops, so the community benefit is not limited to advanced riders.

Coaching and youth development are part of the project's stated benefits. Survey feedback also showed support for youth programmes, school involvement, coaching sessions and structured opportunities for young riders.

Accessibility was raised in the pre-feasibility survey, including adaptive bikes, accessible toilets, viewing areas, parking and inclusive design. These points will be considered during detailed design.