Scotland's first ever Land Use Strategy has been published, signalling a change in the way that we work together to sustain one of our most valuable assets.

The strategy will help us get the most out of our precious land resources and maximise the contribution that they can make to a low carbon Scottish economy. It will influence land use decision making now and in the future, helping to ensure that the right decisions are made for the economy, for the environment and for communities.

The emphasis will be on a joined-up approach to the way we use the land, whether its for recreation, agriculture, biodiversity or living space. This new, integrated strategy, focussing on shared principles for sustainable land use, will make sure that individual policies work together for the overall benefit of Scotland.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead said: "Scotland's land already provides us with so many benefits but in future there will be even more pressures on the land. As the climate changes we'll face increasing demands for food, water and energy and we have to be prepared. Now that we have this strategy in place we will concentrate on delivery and taking action to meet the needs of 21st century Scotland.

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"The strategy will provide the overall framework within which we can manage these different issues and the resulting conflicting demands that we sometimes put on our land. It will allow us to join up the individual policy pieces and create wider and more sustainable benefits as a result of this integrated thinking. And it will provide a context for local processes that actually make sustainable land use a reality.

"The publication of the strategy is an important milestone but is by no means the end of the road. The Government will take the lead but we expect the wider public sector to follow that lead in the way that it manages land, takes decisions or develops policy. We will continue to work with all interested groups to make sure that the strategy pays dividends for us all."

Many stakeholder groups have contributed to the development of the strategy.

President of NFU Scotland, Nigel Miller said: "The Land Use Strategy should have a significant role to play in providing a framework for a host of policy areas that collectively impact on how Scotland's land is used.

"We believe the Land Use Strategy must be developed to map out a smarter approach to prioritising land use, based on new and existing evidence.

"Above all, the Land Use Strategy must enable the array of current policy to deliver more integrated land use by supporting a host of successful land-based businesses."

Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK's Land Use Taskforce Vicki Swales said: "The publication today of the Land Use Strategy is just the start of a journey to achieve more sustainable land use in Scotland and secure the future of the many benefits land provides us with.

"This strategy must lead to real action across all Government departments and policies relevant to land use."

TAYplan Strategic Development Planning Authority Manager Pamela Ewen said: "Overall, from a Strategic Development Planning perspective, the production of this land use strategy is welcomed for its attempt to provide large-scale objectives and strategies with a broad consideration of climate change."

(GK/KMcA)