We aim to lead by example and to showcase best practice for green network development. LFGNP and partner organisations are currently leading on a number of innovative projects across Lothians and Fife.

Pentland Hills – Increasing Woodland Connectivity around the Regional Park

LFGNP has produced detailed habitat mapping to indentify new woodland creation opportunities. This is being used within the Pentland Hills Regional Park area for planning purposes and is being undertaken in tandem with a detailed programme of landowner consultation on the ground. Work is being funded through the award of a £32,000 grant from the Central Scotland Green Network Development Fund.

The aim of this project is to carry out scoping, consultation and development work for woodland expansion and management in 5 core areas which have been previously identified in the Pentland Hills Woodland Action Plan which has been developed by LFGNP.The Plan set the scene for developing of a strategic, targeted and action based approach to woodland management in and around the Pentland Hills. In particular this recognised the potential to create enhanced linkage between the woodlands within the Pentland Hills Regional Park and surrounding forest habitat networks.

LFGNP is taking forward work to realise the vision of the Action Plan within the 5 identified core areas. Development work is identifying and specifying practical actions on the ground to enhance the landscape quality of the wider area whilst providing social and recreational benefits for local people and visitors.

This development work has the following clear aims within each core area:

To increase the total amount of woodland cover
To bring existing woodland into improved management
To creating increased connectivity of woodland habitat within the Pentland Hills and surrounding area.

This will be undertaken through a phased approach involving;

Detailed scoping and stakeholder consultation
Development and specification of identified projects.

The Location of the Project:

The project area cuts across local authority administrative boundaries and includes parts of West Lothian, City of Edinburgh and Midlothian Council areas. The project satisfies ELFHNP, CSGN and SESplan priorities. The area for the plan is shown in the map below.

Landownership:

The landownership within the proposed core areas is diverse. Information on this is held by project partners, particularly the Pentland Hills Regional Park Authority. However scoping work includes detailed research into the distribution of land ownership within core areas and also defines ownership boundaries. This is the first step in an exercise to consult with owners and forms part of the development work.

Who is carrying out the work ?

The development work is being carried out through a combination of external consultants and through the partner organisations where appropriate. These include the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust and Central Scotland Forest Trust. Future project Implementation arising from the development programme will be undertaken where practicable through landowners agents and local delivery mechanisms to ensure a high level of landowner adoption and support.

Project Outputs and Outcomes

Direct Project Outputs from the 2 stages will be as follows:

Stage 1: Analysis, Scoping and Consultation

Analysis of existing woodland resource in each of the five priority areas.
Analysis of context/ constraints in each of the five priority areas.
Site assessment of each of the five identified core areas
Detailed analysis of woodland resource in terms of current condition and management.
Evaluation and Identification of opportunities and constraints
Consultation with landowners and stakeholder groups to determine feasibilities and identify need for further intervention through stage 2 (30 landowners)
Identification of Delivery Mechanisms

Stage 2: Project Development – Scheme Design and Specification

• Development including design and specification of 10 individual woodland management, enhancement or creation projects (2 per core area) arising for stage 1.

Longer Term Outcomes:

Longer term outcomes that the project have been identified in the Pentland Hills Woodland Action Plan. These are;

The development of a more strategic and targeted approach to woodland management in and around the Pentland Hills.
The enhancement of links between the Pentland Hills Regional Park and surrounding forest habitat networks including within adjoining settlements.
Targeted interventions resulting in new woodland habitat creation, improved management of existing woodlands, linear habitat features and trees in the wider landscape.
Increasing levels of involvement in woodland management activity by local landowners and stakeholder groups.
Enhancement of the wider landscape quality of the area whilst providing social and recreational benefits for local people.
Opportunities for woodland access promoting health for local residents and increased community involvement.

For further information about this project please contact Ian Whitehead at Lothians and Fife Green Network Partnership ian@lfgnp.org.uk

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