Community engagement in decisions about forestry

Land ownership in Scotland comes with both rights and responsibilities.  

The Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement 2022 includes the principle that there should be meaningful collaboration and community engagement in decisions about land. 

The Statement aims to ensure that Scotland’s land supports a sustainable future. One that benefits all Scotland’s people.  

Involving local communities creates opportunities to improve plans and proposals, helping: 

• deliver sustainable economic development
• protect and enhance the environment
• support a just transition to net zero
• achieve social justice
• build a fairer society for the common good
• enhance community wellbeing 

Forestry engagement and consultation processes 

It is the responsibility of the owner (or their agent) to engage the local community in the planning of a forestry project. This is typically the time in the application process when community input can add the most value. 

After a forestry application is submitted to Scottish Forestry, we consult on it via our Public Registers. 

Once we have consulted on an application, we then decide whether to: 

• approve it
• or advise that changes are required 

Our Forestry Engagement and Consultation Processes guidance provides more information. This includes a section designed to support communities. 

It describes the different stages of the proposal development and approval process, explaining: 

• the roles and responsibilities of those involved
• when communities can expect to be engaged
• when public consultation happens
• when local stakeholder and community input will be most impactful and beneficial
• the topics or issues that communities commonly provide knowledge, information and evidence on
• how decisions are made