Action for landscape

Here are some of the ways in which planning authorities can carry out their landscape role:

By recognising the importance of high quality and attractive environments in the development of strategies for economic development, health and social inclusion and environmental justice.

Designated areas

Considering landscape character and identifying and safeguarding special landscapes in development plans.
Safeguarding the scenic quality and character of National Parks, National Scenic Areas, designed landscapes and wild land.
Reviewing existing local landscape designations and consider the need for new ones.

Undertaking landscape capacity studies to inform the allocation of land in development plans.
Safeguarding and enhancing landscapes in the planning of new development through the town and country planning system, for example in decisions on individual sites and through Main Issues Reports for development plans.
Producing detailed supplementary planning guidance to complement landscape and design planning policies.
Promoting high standards of siting and design and the use of appropriate materials.
Publishing design guides which take account of local landscape and building character, show examples of good and bad practice, and advertise them to landowners, developers, local architects, planning consultants and builders in the area.
Preparing a landscape strategy for their area, to include consideration of issues outwith the planning system.
Considering landscape character and quality in Indicative Forestry Strategies .

Facilitating discussion and building consensus locally on landscape objectives. Undertaking work that helps understand what people value about their landscape and what they would wish to change, through community engagement. This could be part of the development plan and community planning processes, or in response to a specific proposal such as settlement expansion.
Collecting information on and developing understanding of local landscapes, and making this material available to all through council web sites, local record centres, libraries, schools and colleges.
Providing opportunities for people to enjoy landscapes through the development of access opportunities and the provision of path networks and countryside recreational facilities such as picnic sites, local nature reserves, country and regional parks.

We aim to help local authorities increase their expertise and ability to carry out their landscape duties, through:

Improving access to information Scotland's landscapes, and to landscape tools and techniques through this website
Developing guidance on the use of landscape character assessments in development plans.
Review of landscape capacity studies and guidance for practitioners.

Please contact us at landscape@snh.gov.uk if you would like to discuss your authority's skills and capacity building needs.