The Right Tree in the Right Place
20th September 2010
Forestry Commission Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government has recently produced new guidance to planning authorities on planning for forestry and woodlands. The guidance entitled “The Right Tree in the Right Place” supports Scottish Ministers’ desire to see a significant expansion of woodland cover which will also deliver multiple benefits to society.
The guidance replaces earlier information from 1999 on the preparation of indicative forestry strategies. The “Right Tree in the Right Place” considers forestry within the wider context of sustainable economic development and in particular the role that forestry can play in delivering multi functional objectives including economic, social and environmental benefits. These benefits are well illustrated with case studies which include the work of the Edinburgh and Lothians Forest Habitat Network Partnership (now LFGNP).
The guidance also looks at the spatial distribution of woodland and suggests the need to map out areas suitable for new planting according to their suitability and sensitivity. Furthermore the guidance suggests assessing the suitability of preferred areas according to their potential for native woodlands, mixed woodlands, softwood forests and energy forests.
The Scottish Government aims to substantially increase woodland creation as part of its response to the Climate Change with a national target of achieving 25% forest cover across Scotland.
LFGNP is examining the report with a view to developing previous work on the Lothians Forestry Framework into a compatible format. This will involve further work on mapping and spatial analysis to indentify sensitivity and suitability of areas for the various categories of Woodlands identified in the report.
The potential upgrade of the Forestry Framework will require detailed consultation with partner organisations and will include dialogue with development planners, land managers and biodiversity professionals. It is likely that much of this work can be taken forward with LFGNP acting as the co-ordinating body.
To download the “Right Tree in the Right Place” click here
For further information, please contact:
Ian Whitehead
Edinburgh & Lothians Forest Habitat Network Officer
Tel: 0131 654 1933
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