A Scottish Borders Council (SBC) Planning Guidance Note, which was recently praised by former Environment Minister, Michael Russell, has now been formally adopted.

The Council's guidance on the 'Use of Timber in Sustainable Construction', was praised by Mr Russell during a conference on Carbon Benefits of Timber in Construction at Napier University earlier this year. He highlighted the proactive approach and referred to SBC's guidance as "excellent".

In his speech, which opened the conference, Mr Russell - who is now Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Culture - recognised that this was a tough time for the timber sector and that the Government aimed to turn this situation around, with sustainable economic growth its core purpose.

Mr Russell commented that timber, as a renewable resource, has great technical and economic potential for Scotland, as the country has the ability to produce timber sustainably. Using more timber for construction will help to provide jobs and support economic growth and will reduce Scotland's carbon dioxide emissions and thereby help to combat climate change.

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Mr Russell said: "We want to encourage planning authorities to embrace innovative timber designs and to adopt a proactive approach, like that being taken by Scottish Borders Council with their excellent guidance.

"Both in my previous role and in this role, I am heartened by the positive approach taken to the sustainable use of timber in construction. Wood is a great Scottish asset that helps to make great Scottish buildings, large and small. The example the Borders is setting needs to spread across the whole country."

Councillor Carolyn Riddell-Carre, Executive Member for Planning and Environment, said: "Scottish Borders Council supports the use of timber as a method of sustainable construction and we are delighted that our guidance has been endorsed by Mr Russell."

Although timber is a widely used construction material, its further use is being re-appraised as the environmental consequences of development on climate change become increasingly recognised. This has highlighted the untapped potential for timber construction to contribute to a sustainable, low carbon emission, future.

Timber use is increasing in a wide variety of settings including high quality interiors as well as structure and external claddings. It is a locally produced resource that can, potentially, make a much greater contribution to the Borders economy and therefore underpin the viability of Scottish Borders woodlands and forests, with all the associated economic, social and environmental benefits to our community.

(GK/JM)