Stage 3 - Draft the Forestry and Woodland Strategy
The first draft of the plan might include:
- the preferred objectives and policies for future woodland creation and the management of existing forests and woodland in the area
- proposals for different woodland types by category in draft maps or detailed descriptions
- reasonable alternatives, to be assessed alongside the preferred options.
This would also be a useful stage to prepare any required impact assessments.
Stage 4 - Consult on the draft Forestry and Woodland Strategy
In preparing a FWS, a planning authority must consult:
the Scottish Ministers, (this requirement can be met by consulting the local Scottish Forestry Conservancy office)
Contact your local Conservancy office
- such organisations appearing to them to represent those with an interest in
- the development of forestry and woodlands
- the protection and enhancement of woodlands
- the resilience to climate change of woodlands
- 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
- such other persons as they consider appropriate
It is for the Planning Authority to determine how it wishes to consult on the policies, proposals and maps in the draft FWS.
The local Scottish Forestry Conservancy office will be an important key agency to involve, along with others such as:
- NatureScot and Historic Environment Scotland
- forums with an interest in regional land use, such as Regional Land Use and Regional Adaptation Partnerships where active
Other consultation might include local public meetings to ensure that communities have a chance to input to proposals, talking to community councils, and holding meetings with key stakeholders about particular areas or themes.
Stage 5 - Finalise the Forestry and Woodland Strategy
This stage is to refine the draft strategy to reflect views from the consultation and create a final version.
The FWS should be viewed as a dynamic document, with the underlying data which inform its policies and proposals kept up to date, giving it the capability to adjust to changed circumstances and priorities and so realise the multiple benefits to be gained from forests and woodlands.
It is preferable for the FWS to use high-quality spatial data which Scottish Forestry can publish on its website and use to inform effective and efficient Forestry Grant Scheme decisions.
The LDP cycle has a 10-year review period and an up-to-date FWS will make an invaluable contribution to that.
