A new Land Use Strategy pilot is to be introduced for the Borders.

Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse announced the pilot scheme, which will consider how land is used in the area and where improvements can be made.

The scheme will aim to balance the conservation of natural resources with essential functions such as the provision of clean water, food and timber.

The work will guide future decisions by the government and across the public sector.

The Scottish government is keen that the process is led by local authorities.

Land managers and stakeholders will be working closely with Tweed Forum, a partnership body dedicated to integrated land and water management.

Councillor Ron Smith, Executive Member for Planning and the Environment, said: "Participating in the Land Use Strategy pilot provides an exciting opportunity for Scottish Borders Council to help our rural businesses and communities make the best use of the land, providing potential opportunities to use Rural Development Funds."

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Rob Dickson, Director, Environment and Infrastructure, commented: "We hope that this innovative pilot can support our communities by developing a focused programme of rural development, working with the Scottish Government and enabling the Council to develop and implement policies which support economic growth but also protect the environment and available natural resources. That is an ongoing challenge for us here in the Borders and this pilot is a most welcome opportunity to improve how we are able to manage these pressures."

Bob Kay, Chair of Tweed Forum, said: "Tweed Forum has a good track record of working with farmers and land managers to bring about practical work on the ground that achieves multiple benefits. We have demonstrated that habitat restoration can be integrated effectively into farming systems with knock on benefits for biodiversity, water quality, flood attenuation, fisheries and carbon sequestration, to name but a few. This pilot initiative will help us explore this philosophy further with all the relevant stakeholders that have an interest in land and water management in the Borders."

(IT)