Integrated Rural Development and Countryside Planning

Much of our environmental planning work is focused on the future of rural Scotland.

This page describes a cross section of our recent work

We were employed by the Scottish Executive to explore the potential for ‘new directions in land management’ in Scotland’s two national parks. We undertook the first survey of marine and coastal recreation to inform management of the coastal environment and to inform SNH’s advice to government on potential locations for a coastal and marine National Park.

LUC prepared the Local Woodland and Forestry Framework for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, and undertook two studies for SNH to explore and analyse the effects of designation on areas around and between the two national parks. We are currently researching patterns of marine and coastal recreation to inform the identification of Scotland’s third National Park. Working with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority and its partners, we assisted in the identification of the national park’s ‘special qualities’ to inform the National Park Plan and have prepared development frameworks for a number of communities within the Park area.

At a UK level, we have researched the effects of climate change on rural communities and economies, including ways in which the policy framework should promote adaptation.

Our environmental planning work address development and other types of change affecting rural areas.  Working with Stirling Council and SNH, we carried out a landscape evaluation of options for Stirling’s Major Growth Area and presented evidence at the Local Plan Inquiry. We have also carried out landscape capacity studies in Argyll and Bute and Ayrshire and the Clyde Valley, focusing wind farm developments. We have prepared internal guidance for SNH considering the natural heritage implications of settlement expansion and, for external publication, best practice guidance on the design and construction of upland tracks and small rural car parks. We worked with Northumberland Council to appraise potential locations for waste management sites across the county.