Land use action plan announced

Published on 22/12/2011 00:00

AN ACTION plan to deliver Scotland’s ground-breaking land use strategy was announced yesterday by the Scottish Government.

Scotland first-ever strategy for land use was announced in March and is designed to ensure a “joined up” approach to land use, whether for recreation, agriculture, biodiversity or living space.

A major aim is to maximise land’s contribution to a low carbon Scottish economy.

Priorities under the action plan for 2012 include –

• Development of an agri-renewables strategy

• Submission of advice from the woodland expansion advisory group

• Water environment mapping by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency

• Creation of an environmental crime taskforce

• Identification of pilot areas for peatland restoration

Cabinet secretary for rural affairs Richard Lochhead said the co-operation of land managers and users would be required to achieve more sustainable land use.

“The land use strategy will help Scotland develop and implement more joined up plans to safeguard our precious and finite land resources,” he said. “I wholly encourage partnership working wherever possible across all different land use interests – public, private and third sector – for the benefit of all.”