Region’s Forest and Woodland Strategy gathers momentum
01 February 2011
LFGNP are developing a Forest and Woodland Strategy (FWS) for Edinburgh and the Lothians. The work will build upon the regional Forestry Framework which was produced by the Partnership in 2008. The Strategy will also incorporate additional guidance from “The Right Tree in the Right Place” which has been produced for the Scottish Government by Forestry Commission Scotland. This recommends best practice for developing an FWS.
The FWS work will involve identifying potential areas for woodland creation and will take into account national policies to increase woodland cover across Scotland to 25%. Identification of suitable areas will require a mapping exercise which will also highlight sensitive locations deemed inappropriate for woodland establishment e.g. due to conflicting land use, habitat or other conservation interests.
The development of the FWS has a strong emphasis on stakeholder consultation to ensure that the final product is realistic and workable for a range of end users. The work is being taken forward by Land Use Consultants on behalf of LFGNP and will involve a number of consultation events. Funding has been made available by Forestry Commission Scotland.
It is hoped that the resultant Strategy and maps will be used as supplementary planning guidance by the local authorities within the Lothians. For more information please contact: ian@lfgnp.org.uk
For further information, please contact:
Ian Whitehead
Edinburgh & Lothians Forest Habitat Network Officer
Tel: 0131 445 4025
Email: ian@lfgnp.org.uk
Lothians and Fife will have attractive, biodiverse networks of woodlands, greenspaces and semi natural habitats.
"Managing and expanding green infrastructure will help to create more attractive urban and rural landscapes where people want to live & work..."
Michael Russell MSP