The Woodland Strategy was launched in January 2003
and is one of a new generation of Indicative Forest
Strategies (IFS)¹. This new generation
of IFSs highlight the strategic role woodlands
can play in delivering environmental enhancement
and sustainable development. The AAWS received
an award for excellence in the annual Scottish
Awards for Quality in Planning², as an exemplar
of best practice in integrating forestry planning
with
wider land use planning.
The Strategy's
vision is:
"TO DEVELOP THE WOODLAND OF AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN AS A MODEL OF INTEGRATED AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF LAND THAT SUPPORTS THE LOCAL ECONOMY, CONTRIBUTES TO COMMUNITY WELL-BEING AND PROMOTES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE."
This will be delivered through:
•
Supporting the continued development
of the forest products' supply chain
•
Developing opportunities for economic development by increasing employment, expanding markets for wood and farm business diversification
•
Safeguarding and enhancing the areas of native, semi-natural and policy woodland
•
Promoting the use of woodlands in the regeneration of urban and post-industrial landscapes
•
Encouraging greater involvement of local people in the use, expansion, management and appreciation of woodlands
For more information on the objectives and proposed actions, you can download a copy of the AAWS from here.
(1)
Previously, IFSs were more limited in their approach focusing on the identification of areas suitable for large-scale afforestation.
(2)
Presented each year by the Scottish Goverment in association with the Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland.
