The Scottish Government

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,
• supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

-

This priority has the potential to lead to additional loss of biodiversity depending on the nature of the diversification of businesses and tourism activities which are implemented i.e. construction of new buildings could result in loss of land which supports biodiversity. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective i.e. organic farming.

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on protected species, habitats and areas depending on the nature of the diversification of businesses and tourism activities which are implemented i.e. construction of new buildings could result in loss of land which supports biodiversity. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective i.e. organic farming.

-

This priority has the potential to increase fragmentation of habitats depending on the nature of diversification of businesses and tourism activities which are implemented i.e. construction of new buildings could result in loss of land which supports biodiversity. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective i.e. organic farming.

-

This priority has the potential to increase the spread of invasive species depending on the activities which are implemented i.e. construction of new buildings could result in loss of land which supports biodiversity. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,
• using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

+

This priority has the potential to halt the loss of biodiversity and continue to reverse previous losses indirectly through raising awareness of the issues facing rural Scotland, including biodiversity. Increased access could result in impacts on biodiversity but these are minimised by education and this potential negative impact is not considered significant.

+

This priority has the potential to protect and enhance protected habitats, species and areas indirectly through raising awareness of the issues facing rural Scotland, including protected species and habitats. Increased access could result in impacts on species, habitats and areas but these are minimised by education and this potential negative impact is not considered significant.

+

This priority has the potential to reduce fragmentation of and enhance connectivity of habitats indirectly through raising awareness of the issues facing rural Scotland, including the importance of habitat connectivity.

+

This priority has the potential to reduce the spread of invasive species indirectly through raising awareness of the issues facing rural Scotland, including the impacts of invasive species on native species.

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

-

This priority has the potential to lead to additional loss of biodiversity depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

However this could also result in the reintroduction of lost skills i.e. hedging, dry stone dyking etc which have potentially positive if indirect benefits

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on protected species, habitats and areas depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective. However this could also result in the reintroduction of lost skills i.e. hedging, dry stone dyking etc which have potentially positive if indirect benefits

-

This priority has the potential to increase fragmentation of habitats depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective. However this could also result in the reintroduction of lost skills i.e. hedging, dry stone dyking etc which have potentially positive if indirect benefits

-

This priority has the potential to increase the spread of invasive species depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions.

+

This priority has the potential to halt the loss of biodiversity and continue to reverse previous losses directly through the promotion of local ecology and habitats as tourism attractions.

In addition increased renewable energy can result in biodiversity benefits as a result of reduced greenhouse gas emissions although hydropower can have significant negative impacts on biodiversity.

+

This priority has the potential to protect and enhance protected habitats, species and areas directly through the promotion of local ecology and habitats as tourism attractions.

In addition increased renewable energy can result in biodiversity benefits as a result of reduced greenhouse gas emissions although hydropower can have significant negative impacts on biodiversity

+

This priority has the potential to reduce fragmentation of and enhance connectivity of habitats directly through the promotion of local ecology and habitats as tourism attractions

+

This priority has the potential to reduce the spread of invasive species directly through the promotion of local ecology and habitats as tourism attractions.

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

-

This priority has the potential to lead to additional loss of biodiversity depending on the infrastructure changes made that their location although there will be ways to mitigate against some of the impacts.

-

This priority has the potential to lead to additional loss of biodiversity depending on the infrastructure changes made that their location although there will be ways to mitigate against some of the impacts

-

This priority has the potential to increase fragmentation of habitats depending on the infrastructure changes made that their location although there will be ways to mitigate against some of the impacts

-

This priority has the potential to increase the spread of invasive species depending on the infrastructure changes made that their location although there will be ways to mitigate against some of the impacts

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,
• supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

-

This priority has the potential to lead to reduced water quality on the nature of the diversification of businesses and tourism activities which are implemented i.e. construction of new buildings could result in increased discharges including sewage to controlled waters and land. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

+

This priority has the potential to reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture and forestry as a result of the conversion of agricultural and afforested land to other uses.

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on water resources depending on the nature of diversification of businesses and tourism activities which are implemented i.e. construction of new buildings could result in increased abstraction. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,
• using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

+

This priority has the potential to promote good water quality indirectly through raising awareness of the issues facing rural Scotland, including factors causing water pollution and actions to be taken to enhance water quality.

+

This priority has the potential to reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture and forestry indirectly through raising awareness of the issues facing rural Scotland, including the causes of diffuse pollution and methods for preventing or mitigating against this types of pollution.

+

This priority has the potential to protect water resources indirectly through raising awareness of the issues facing rural Scotland, including the importance of water and the implications for over abstraction from watercourses and groundwater..

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

-

This priority has the potential to result in the failure to meet the WFD's requirement for GES the depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

-

This priority has the potential to result increased diffuse pollution from agriculture and forestry depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on water resources depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions.

+

This priority affords the potential to assist in the meeting of GES as a result of reduced acidification due to the increased use of renewable energy and the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from reduced fossil fuel combustion.

+

This priority does not afford a direct potential to reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture and forestry. However the increased use of agricultural and forestry land used for growing renewable crops and the corresponding reduction in acidification, a form of diffuse pollution, from increased renewable energy production will result, indirectly in reduced diffuse pollution.

+

This priority offers potential to protect water resources as a result of the action to promote activities and products which make sustainable use of natural resources.

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

-

This priority has the potential to result in the failure to meet the WFD's requirement for GES depending on the infrastructure changes made that their location although there will be ways to mitigate against some of the impacts such as SUDS, reed beds, water harvesting etc

0

This priority does not afford much potential to reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture and forestry

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on water resources depending on the infrastructure changes made and their location although there will be ways to mitigate against some of the impacts

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,
• supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on the sustainable management of soil depending on the activities which are implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,
• using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

+

This priority has the potential to promote sustainable management of soil indirectly through raising awareness of the issues facing rural Scotland, including the impacts varying activities and the quantities and quality of soils and methods which can enhance and/or reduce sustainable soil management.

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact upon the sustainable management of soil depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions.

0

This priority does not afford much potential to promote the sustainable management of soils.

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact upon the sustainable management of soil depending on the infrastructure changes made and their location although there will be ways to mitigate against some of the impacts

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,
• supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

-

This priority has the potential to lead to reduced air quality on the nature and extent of the tourism activities which are implemented i.e. increased tourism could result in increased emissions from vehicles. There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective. Integration of deliveries to businesses in an area could reduce vehicle emissions through reducing the number of journeys required.

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,
• using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

0

This priority offers little potential to reduce air pollution from rural activities as it focuses on promoting public understanding and enjoyment of rural Scotland.

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

0

This priority offers little potential to reduce air pollution from rural activities as it focuses on building capacity in total communities primarily by increased training.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions.

0

This priority offers little opportunity to improve air quality as the actions, although addressing climate change so not address the key sources of air pollution from rural Scotland (ammonia from livestock and fertilizers)

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

0

This priority offers little potential to reduce air pollution from rural activities although if public transport improvements in rural Scotland included, this could reduce vehicular air pollution.

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,
• supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

-

This priority has the potential to lead to negatively increase the impacts of rural activities on climate change depending on the nature of the diversification of businesses and tourism activities which are implemented i.e. increased needs for transport and/or or increased energy requirements There are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

-

This priority has the potential to reduce the carbon sequestration capacity of woodland and peatland depending the nature and extent of the tourism activities which are implemented i.e. increased demand for space could result in the loss of woodland/peatland. However, there are ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help support this objective.

++

This priority has the potential to increase the use of renewable energy by the diversification of traditionally farmed land for wind farms and/or the growth of bio fuel crops.

-

This priority offers no potential to promote sustainable flood management and may result in the need for less sustainable, hard engineering flood defences as a result of inappropriate development in the flood plain.

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,
• using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

0

This priority offers little potential to reduce the impact rural activities on climate change as it focuses on promoting public understanding and enjoyment of rural Scotland.

0

This priority offers little potential to increase the carbon sequestration by woodland and peatland as it focuses on promoting public understanding and enjoyment of rural Scotland.

+

This priority offers an indirect potential to increase the use of renewable energy through promoting public understanding and enjoyment of rural Scotland and the potential impacts of energy from non-renewable sources on the rural environment.

-

This priority offers no potential to promote sustainable flood management.

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

-

This priority could result in increased air pollution from rural depending on the nature of the skills which are developed and the community led initiatives implemented. There are however ways to mitigate these potential impacts and some options may help

0

This priority offers no potential to increase the carbon sequestration by woodland and peatland as it focuses on the development of new skills within the rural community of Scotland which does not include provision for the enhancement of woodland and peatland.

+

The policy could promote the increased use of renewable energy if the new skills developed relate to the development of renewable energy supplies.

0

This priority offers no potential to increase the carbon promote sustainable flood management.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions.

++

This priority could have a significant positive impact on minimising climate change as a result of the action to increase the use of renewable fuels in local areas of rural Scotland and the action to develop new energy production methods which could be used in urban as well as rural areas of Scotland and beyond.

++

This priority has the potential to increase the carbon sequestration by woodland as a result of the action to increase the use of renewable fuels in local areas of rural Scotland and the requirement to make sustainable use of resources.

++

The policy would promote the increased use of renewable energy as there is a direct action for the development and increased use of renewable energy within in the priority.

0

This priority offers no obvious potential to promote sustainable flood management although there is the potential that consideration could be given to this issue as part of the activity to make sustainable use of resources.

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

0

This priority offers little potential to reduce the impact rural activities on climate change although if public transport improvements in rural Scotland included, this could reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.

0

This priority offers little potential to increase the carbon sequestration by woodland and peatland as it focuses on infrastructure development only.

0

This priority offers little potential to increase the use of renewable energy as it focuses on infrastructure development only.

+

This priority offers some potential to promote sustainable flood management if infrastructure development o planned within the flood plain.

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,
• supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

++

This priority contains a number of actions which will actively increase the contribution of the agricultural and forestry sectors to the viability of rural Scotland having a significant positive impact on this objective.

+

This priority contains actions which will actively promote access and recreation within rural Scotland through the development of the tourism industry.

++

The development of a thriving and growing business community will actively promote healthy living, reduce health inequalities and improve quality of life as a result of the creation of an expanded tourism industry and the increased opportunity for jobs in rural areas

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,
• using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

++

This priority contains a number of actions which will actively increase the contribution of the agricultural and forestry sectors to the viability of rural Scotland having a significant positive impact on this objective.

++

This priority specifically relates to promoting public access and will therefore have a significant impact on this objective.

++

This priority specifically relates to promoting public access and will have a positive impact on this objective promoting healthy living, reducing health inequalities and improving quality of life as a result of the creation of an expanded tourism industry and the increased opportunity for jobs in rural areas

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

++

This priority contains a number of actions which will actively increase the contribution of the agricultural and forestry sectors to the viability of rural Scotland having a significant positive impact on this objective.

0

This priority does not include options which would enhance recreation and access as it related to increasing the skills in rural communities.

++

This priority contains an action which could improve quality of life of those living in rural Scotland as a result of increased employment and personal development opportunities detailed in this priority.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions.

++

This priority contains a number of actions which will actively increase the contribution of the agricultural and forestry sectors to the viability of rural Scotland having a significant positive impact on this objective.

++

This priority contains actions which will actively promote access and recreation as a result of the emphasis on tourism

++

This priority specifically relates to promoting tourism and will have a positive impact on this objective promoting healthy living, reducing health inequalities and improving quality of life as a result of the creation of an expanded tourism industry and the increased opportunity for jobs in rural areas

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

++

This priority contains a number of actions which will actively increase the contribution of the agricultural and forestry sectors to the viability of rural Scotland having a significant positive impact on this objective

0

This priority does not include options which would enhance recreation and access as it relates to the provision of infrastructure e.g. houses to support in rural communities.

++

The increased infrastructure, e.g. improved affordable housing will actively promote healthy living, reduce health inequalities and improve quality of life in rural communities.

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,

supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on Scotland's landscape as a result of the proposed diversification of land based businesses which could result in inappropriate development in rural Scotland. The careful consideration of development to ensure its appropriateness in the given area will help to assist the safeguarding and enhance Scotland's landscape.

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,

using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on Scotland's landscape as the priority includes actions relating to land management which could, if not considered carefully result in detrimental land management operations. There are however, many ways in which land can be managed to enhance the landscape and these should be considered during the planning of land management strategies.

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

0

This priority offers little potential to safeguard and enhance Scotland's landscapes as it focuses on the developing capacity within rural communities by providing training.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions

-

This priority has the potential to negatively impact on Scotland's landscape as the priority includes an action relating to the development of new energy production methods which could include the construction of wind farms which could negatively impact on Scotland's landscape if not properly sited. However careful selection criteria could minimise landscape impacts. In addition there are many ways in which the landscape can be enhanced as a result of these and these should be considered during the development of rural businesses.

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

-

This priority has the potential to result in inappropriate development which could negatively impact on Scotland's landscape although this could be mitigated against with the sympathetic design and siting of new development including affordable housing.

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,
• supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

0

This priority offers little potential to recognise, value and protect the distinct cultural and historic identity of all regions of rural Scotland as it focuses on business community development

0

This priority offers little potential to strengthen Scotland's cultural identity as it focuses on business community development only.

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,
• using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

+

This priority offers the potential to recognise, value and protect the distinct cultural and historic identity of all regions of rural Scotland as a result of the action to encourage tourism based on environmental heritage assets and the historic environment.

+

This priority offers the potential to strengthen Scotland's cultural identity of all regions of rural Scotland as a result of the action to encourage tourism based on environmental heritage assets and the historic environment.

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

+

This option provides the potential to strengthen regional cultural and historic identities providing the training provided focuses on this area.

+

This option provides the potential to strengthen Scotland's cultural identity providing the training provided focuses on this area.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions.

+

This option provides the potential to strengthen regional cultural and historic identities by the development of tourism focused round regional historic environments.

+

This option provides the potential to strengthen regional cultural and historic identities by the development of tourism focused round Scotland's cultural heritage, strengthening Scotland's cultural identity in rural Scotland and wider a field.

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

-

This priority has the potential to result in inappropriate development which could negatively impact on Scotland's regional cultural and historic identities although this could be mitigated against with the sympathetic design and siting of new development including affordable housing

+

This priority offers the potential to strengthen Scotland's cultural identity through the construction of affordable housing on a local level ensuring that local people can continue to live in the area in which they were brought strengthening their individual and community identities.

a. Achieve a thriving and growing business community by

• increasing collaboration and integration between land-based and other businesses;
• supporting innovative diversification of land-based businesses;
• adding value to rural goods and services, including those in the primary (agriculture, forestry), manufacturing and processing, and tourism sectors; and,
• supporting activities that strengthen the value and duration of the tourism season, including support for craft activities.

0

This priority offers little potential to maximise the use of resources in rural Scotland as a result of its focus on the development and diversification of businesses in rural Scotland.

-

Increased manufacturing and processing could result in increased volumes waste generated and disposed of in rural Scotland as a result of its focus on the development and diversification of businesses in rural Scotland.

b. Promote public access and understanding of the countryside by

• increasing people's quality of life through participation in and enjoyment of access to the countryside;
• encouraging land managers to deliver, individually and collectively, outdoor access and community involvement opportunities integrated with their other land management operations;
• raising awareness, respect and understanding of our countryside, food, farming and forestry through "first hand" experience; and,
• using environmental heritage assets and the historic environment sustainably to promote appropriate economic, recreational and educational objectives.

0

This priority offers little potential to maximise the use of resources in rural Scotland as a result of its focus on the promotion of public access and awareness of rural Scotland. Depending on the awareness issues on which funding focuses, increased awareness of the waste hierarchy could be promoted.

0

This priority offers little potential minimise the volumes of waste generated and disposed of in rural Scotland as a result of its focus on the promotion of public access and awareness of rural Scotland.

c. Building capacity in rural communities by

• addressing gaps in skills provision and non-mainstream training, complementing the work of local enterprise agencies; and,
• establishing and/or expanding community-led initiatives including building capacity within local groups and structures, including essential skills for group management.

0

This priority offers little potential to maximise the use of resources in rural Scotland as a result of its focus on the development of new skills within the communities of rural Scotland.

0

This priority offers little potential minimise the volumes of waste generated and disposed of in rural Scotland as a result of its focus on the development of new skills within the communities of rural Scotland. Community composting initiatives however, could minimise waste production.

d. Develop the social and environmental performance of rural businesses by

• development and increased local use of renewable energy, e.g. wood fuel;
• resource and waste management improvements;
• more targeted research and development with improved dissemination and transfer of information; and,
• encouraging the development of products and activities that make sustainable use of natural resources, including new energy production methods and using local ecology, habitats, biodiversity and the historic environment as tourism attractions.

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This priority offers significant potential to maximise the use of resources in rural Scotland as a result of its action to improve resource management and to promote the sustainable use of resources.

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This priority offers significant potential to minimise the volumes of waste generated and disposed of in rural Scotland as a result of its action to improve waste management within rural businesses.

e. Supporting rural services and infrastructure by

• improving the physical environment of villages and conserving the rural heritage;
• local scale provision of affordable housing; and,
• developing improvements in storage and distribution to local markets.

0

This priority offers little potential to maximise the use of resources in rural Scotland as a result of its focus on supporting rural services and infrastructure in rural Scotland.

0

This priority offers little potential minimise the volumes of waste generated and disposed of in rural Scotland as a result of its focus on supporting rural services and infrastructure in rural Scotland.