South Ayrshire Local Plan

Chapter 3 - The Environment

Introduction

The geographical character and form of South Ayrshire is highly diverse. It comprises of a varied mixture of urban and rural environments, much of which hosts valuable natural and built assets and resources of national, regional, as well as local significance. Such assets and resources justify protection and conservation. The policies and proposals which appear in this chapter have been formulated with the aim of protecting these resources and stimulating economic development in the most appropriate locations. The Plan also recognises the importance of other environmental resources, which have not been formally designated but which nonetheless add diversity and contribute to the overall quality of the local environment.

The environmental objectives of the Plan are:

	To conserve the character, appearance and general amenity of towns and villages by seeking to ensure a high standard of design for new developments, by maintaining areas of valuable open space and landscape quality and by protecting and enhancing areas of townscape value including conservation areas and listed buildings.
	To preserve the landscape character generally and provide a setting for settlements; in particular to ensure the integrity of the landscape and environment of the Scenic Coast and Areas are maintained and enhanced.
	To protect, maintain and improve the amenity, natural heritage and recreational value of open space and the countryside generally, and in particular to protect and enhance sites of scientific interest, wildlife sites, habitats of value, good quality agricultural land and South Ayrshire's archaeological heritage.

Structure of the Chapter

In recognition of the varied elements which the chapter is required to consider, it has been divided into two specific sections.

Section One - "Natural Environment"
This section of the chapter concentrates on the natural elements of what contributes to making South Ayrshire a unique and attractive place to live, work and visit - the landscape, coast, farmland, woodlands and rivers being prime examples.

Section Two - "Built Heritage, Design and Conservation"
This second section of the chapter concentrates on the rich historical legacy of man made elements of South Ayrshire and identifies which of these are recognised as contributing to the sense of place of South Ayrshire - that is, the elements which help to distinguish the towns, villages, and building in the countryside from any other areas in Scotland.