Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy
The Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy sets out policies and proposals for the future of trees, woodlands and forests in the Scottish Borders. On 14 November 2005, the strategy was formally approved by Rhona Brankin MSP, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development at a launch at Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, St Boswells, near Melrose.
The Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy includes a revision of the Scottish Borders Indicative Forestry Strategy and revised Policy E4 Forestry Proposals that were also approved by Malcolm Chisholm MSP, Minister for Communities, as amendments to the Scottish Borders Structure Plan 2001-2011.
(N.B. Diagrams 10a-d, referred to below, correspond to the maps shown as Appendices II to V on the website strategy document and the Technical Supplement is shown as Appendix I.)
The amended wording in the structure plan (pp40) is as follows:
Box left of Paragraph 3.13
Diagrams 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d: Scottish Borders Structure Plan Page 106
Paragraph 3.13
Although forestry is not subject to planning control, local authorities are consulted on proposed plantings under the ‘Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme’. Consultations are guided by a number of considerations which include the 2005 revision of the Indicative Forestry Strategy contained within the Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy (SBWS), which was prepared in compliance with Government guidance on Indicative Forestry Strategies. The SBWS also aims to identify opportunities for new planting, guided by consideration of environmental sensitivities, under four categories: Lowland/ Upland Fringe Woodlands, Upland/ Upland Fringe Forests and Woodlands, Native/ Riparian Woodlands, Urban Fringe/ Community Woodlands. Diagrams 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d show where opportunities for new planting under each of these four categories are likely to be. Further guidance on these opportunities for woodland expansion, arising from strategic themes, is provided in the SBWS, pages 52 to 54.
Policy E4
Forestry Proposals
The Council will assess forestry proposals against the Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy; the Scottish Borders Landscape Character Assessment; the Scottish Borders Local Biodiversity Action Plan; local forest design plans, and Forestry Commission Guidelines.
The full version is also available to download from this site in PDF format:
Full Document (Large File)
The document is also available in smaller sections:
Strategy Document (no appendices)
Frequently asked Questions
What is the Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy?
Implementation of the Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy 2006-2009
Since its adoption in 2005, the Council has promoted a number of key actions to make better use of woodland resources, details of these are available here.
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