The Scottish Government

Priority Code

Landscape priorities

Relevant Packages

13. Valued and attractive landscapes which contribute positively to peoples environment, through:

BOR13a

a. The safeguarding and enhancement of the diverse character of rural landscapes. Particularly proposals that:

• encourage management approaches that support current and future Landscape related policies and strategies (including the statutory Development Plan, Woodland Strategy, LBAP and Landscape Assessments. Proposals should protect, enhance or manage the rural landscape for the benefit of the wider community.

BOR13b

b. Enhanced experience, understanding and enjoyment of the landscape. Particularly proposals that:

• enhance key views particularly those associated with the NSA's from public roads, key access routes, public open spaces and principal Border view-points, eg. Source of the Tweed, Scott's View
• promote enjoyment and understanding of landscape through the provision of high quality interpretation and information to enhance the understanding and experience of key Border landscapes.

BOR13c

c. High quality design in both new build and natural elements that enhance and strengthen the landscape character of an area. Particularly proposals that:

• enhance and safeguard existing structures and buildings in the vernacular Border character appropriate to the area and to ensure best landscape fit
• incorporate high sustainability principles such as low carbon design.

BOR13d

d. Actions at a landscape scale which strengthen and/or enhance the landscape character of an area and contribute to sense of place. Particularly proposals that:

• enhance and maintain the landscape character both within and in proximity to recognised sites, e.g. Gardens and Designed Landscapes, National Scenic Areas, Areas of Great Landscape Value, through contributions to the implementation of landscape management strategies and plans
• Integrate actions with habitat maintenance, enhancement and expansion which contribute to dominant characteristic landscape features, e.g. hedgerow and dyke establishment and restoration, hedgerow trees, sympathetic design and component species of shelterbelts and screening plantings.

BOR13e

e. A strengthening and/or enhancement of the special qualities within National Scenic Areas (NSA), National Parks and locally designated landscapes.

Actions should contribute to delivery of NSA Management Strategy where in place. Particularly proposals that:

• strengthen and/or enhance of the special qualities within Eildon/Leaderfoot and Upper Tweeddale National Scenic Areas (NSA), and locally designated landscapes
• contribute to NSA management strategy implementation

BOR13f

f. Action for landscapes whose qualities have been degraded by past use. Particularly proposals that:

• restore traditional boundaries which have been degraded, particularly those in close proximity to towns and villages.

BOR14

14. An increased contribution to the diversity and character of landscape form Scotland's woods and forests, through restructuring planted woodlands, particularly through the use of Low Intervention Silvicultural Systems, and diversification of a range of well designed woodland types in the preferred areas, as identified in regional Indicative Forestry Strategies or Woodland Strategies or in line with Forest Habitat Networks, particularly the improvement of degraded or unsightly local environments. Particualrly proposals that:

• support woodland management and expansion consistent with the Scottish Borders Woodland Strategy.
• support Forest Plans and associated actions to restructure large-scale, first-rotation conifer plantations.
• protect, restore and enhance the woodland and tree elements of the area's Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes, particularly the application of Low Impact Silvicultural Systems to policy and other important woodland landscape features.
• conserve heritage trees
• conserve historic orchards in the Borders
• develop new woodlands which will enhance the landscape of rural areas.