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Copyright: Forest Research

Technical note on Forestry and Woodland Strategies

This technical guidance provides information to support Planning Authorities to prepare or update their Forestry and Woodland Strategy (FWS).

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Topic: Forest management and planning , Planting trees / woodland creation

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PDF Forest Management and Planning Note Preparing a Forestry and Woodland Strategy 03022026 V1

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Requirements of a Forestry and Woodland Strategy

A FWS is required under section A159 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. It can be prepared either singly or jointly in collaboration with other planning authorities.


The legal requirements for a Forestry and Woodland Strategy

The legal requirements for FWS are that it must:

  • identify woodlands of high nature conservation value in the planning authority's area, and
  • set out the planning authority's policies and proposals in their area, as to
    • the development of forestry and woodlands
    • the protection and enhancement of woodlands, in particular those of high nature conservation value
    • the resilience to climate change of woodlands, again in particular those of high nature conservation value
    • the expansion of woodlands of a range of types to provide multiple benefits to the physical, cultural, economic, social and environmental characteristics of the area
    • any other matter which the planning authority considers appropriate

What is a woodland of high nature conservation value?

Regarding the first legal requirement for a FWS, a ‘woodland of high conservation value’ can be described as: 

  • native woodland and scrub as identified by the Native Woodland Survey of Scotland [but note that nativeness is not a requirement for the other categories listed below]
  • ancient woodland and ancient semi-natural woodland, including Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) and Long-Established woodlands of Plantation Origin (LEPO)
  • woodland that is integral to the value of designated or special sites (Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Ramsar sites, and National Nature Reserves (NNRs), and
  • wood pasture

The requirement for a planning authority to set out their policies and proposals is explained further through the next chapters of this document.

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2: The benefits of a Forestry and Woodland Strategy
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4: Planning Authority policies and proposals for forestry

Published: March 2026

Last updated: March 2026

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