Two trial projects are to look at how land in Scotland is currently used and the improvements that can be made.

Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse made the announcement in his speech to the National Ecological Network Conference.

The pilot schemes will be undertaken in Aberdeenshire and the Scottish Borders.

The pilots are intended to involve local people in the development of land, inform decisions regarding different land uses, further the understanding of how the natural environment works and inform how land is used in an integrated manner.

The outcomes will go towards developing the first review of the Land Use Strategy in 2016.

-- Advertisement --

In addition, three forestry-focussed projects are also being undertaken in Dumfries and Galloway, Caithness and Sutherland, and Cowal.

Mr. Wheelhouse said: "These pilot schemes are not about telling people what to do with their land but rather they are about looking at the region as a whole, providing advice and, where possible, working together to bring the community a better, healthier and more sustainable future guided by the view of those living and working within local communities.

"These are hugely important and exciting steps we are taking for the future of Scotland’s land. If successful these pilots could provide a blueprint for a more integrated way of looking at how we use and manage the land and its resources. I hope everyone with an interest in the way the land is used gets involved in the development of these Frameworks."

Scotland’s first Land Use Strategy was launched on 17 March 2011.

The scope of the pilots will primarily be land uses which fall outside the statutory planning system, for example agriculture, forestry, peatland restoration, the water environment, habitat management and biodiversity.

(IT)