| Local Plan |
| Download The Local Plan |
| Local Plan Chapters |
| Home |
| Introduction |
| Contents |
| Settlement Strategy |
| Economic Development |
| The Environment |
| Housing |
| Public Facilities |
| Implementation |
| Appendices |
| Related Documents |
| Contacts |
| Local Plan Maps |
| Interactive Mapping |
| Settlement Maps |
| Local Plan Documents |
| Local Plan Inquiry Documents |
Forestry Strategy
The Role of the Council
The planting of woodlands and forests does not require planning permission. The Council, however, is one of a number of organisations to be consulted by the Forestry Commission on certain grant applications for new planting and licence to fell (see Annex 1, page 51). Comments are made by the Council, where appropriate, on issues relating to landscape, access, informal recreation, forestry traffic and any community concerns. Reference is also made to relevant development plan policies. In response to these consultations the Council can seek to influence the location and form of forestry.
Under the current procedure, forestry consultations are considered by the Council on an individual basis. The procedure works well in terms of drawing attention to tangible issues such as the presence of natural or built heritage designations, or public rights of way. Many issues associated with forestry development, however, are less tangible and need to be considered not in isolation but in the context of the recently agreed Ayrshire Woodland Strategy. With forestry cover likely to continue increasing in the future, the intention of the strategy at this stage, is to set out the overall parameters and likely direction of the Council’s policy in relation to forestry development. This in turn will enable an approach to be struck whereby forestry consultations can be dealt with in a rigorous and consistent manner.
Section 1: Introduction and Context
Forestry development has been one of the most significant land use changes in rural South Ayrshire since 1945. It is a major rural land use, accounting for over 20% of the land area in South Ayrshire, and is increasingly being considered as an alternative to agriculture.
The planting of appropriate management of forests can play an important role in helping sustain and diversify rural economies. In an Ayrshire context, the production and processing of timber supports around 1500 jobs as at 2002. Forests can also provide shelter for crops, animals and buildings, opportunities for informal recreation, landscape and wildlife enhancements and improvements to air quality.
The planting of forests, however, has also raised a number of issues. Some of the key concerns relate to the impact of forestry on landscape character, acidification of watercourses, loss of wildlife habitats and farmland, and the highway, noise and safety issues associated with forestry traffic.
The Planting of New Woodlands and Forests
Most woodland and forestry planting is undertaken with grant assistance from the Forestry Commission. Up until the 1980’s grant assistance was primarily geared towards timber production. More recent years, however, have seen a greater emphasis on the concept of multi-purpose forestry. This has come about following the withdrawal of income tax relief in 1988 and the introduction, shortly thereafter, of new forestry grant schemes geared towards achieving a broad range of objectives such as conservation, recreation and landscape. The results of these changes have included a marked increase in broad-leaved woodland cover and the incorporation of landscape design principles in new schemes. Growing realisation of the biodiversity value of many upland habitats, together with changing agricultural circumstances, have also resulted in an increasing movement of new forestry from traditional upland locations, “down the hill” into valleys and other lowland areas.
Section 2: The Nature of Woodland and Forestry Cover In South Ayrshire
Woodland and forestry cover in South Ayrshire can be split into four broad categories:
Ancient, Semi-Natural Woodland
Ancient, semi-natural woodlands are comprised predominantly of native species i.e. species which occur naturally in Britain. Those that are known to have been in continuous existence since at least 1750 are classified as “ancient” whilst woodlands comprising mainly of native species which have not obviously been planted or which have originated primarily through natural regeneration are classed as “semi-natural”.
In South Ayrshire ancient, semi-natural woodlands are common in river valleys, gorge and coastal areas. Ash and wych elm or oak and birch are characteristic of river valley and gorge woodlands. Characteristic species of coastal woodlands include ash, wych elm, hazel and blackthorn. Ancient, semi-natural woodlands are generally considered to be of greatest value for wildlife and usually support a rich ground flora. Woodlands of this type can also make an important contribution to the landscape character of an area.
Large areas of ancient, semi-natural woodland have been lost in Britain this century as a result of development, commercial afforestation, changing farming practices and other pressures. One of the main current threats is grazing pressure, which is preventing the natural regeneration of many woodland areas. The planting of non-native species alongside ancient, semi-natural woodlands has also had an adverse effect on landscape character in some areas.
Farm Woodlands
These generally comprise small woodlands and shelter belts and are especially characteristic of mixed farming areas. Scots pine, European larch, beech and sycamore are amongst the most common species to be planted. Some of the shelter belts have been planted in exposed open locations. Other farm woodlands, however, together with hedgerows serve to define the roughly rectilinear pattern of enclosure and can be an important component of the landscape character. Many farms also contain remnants of ancient, semi-natural woodlands
Traditional Private Estates
The traditional estate woodlands and their designed landscapes are significant features of the landscape in South Ayrshire and make an important contribution to the lowland and transitional landscapes. Most of the large estates contain a mixture of woodland types ranging from areas of specimen trees, planted as part of a designed landscape, to commercial plantations. The woodlands often provide shelter and enclosure for park and farmland.
Forest Enterprise/Other Private Estate Forestry
This is the most extensive forestry type in South Ayrshire. Most of the planting was undertaken in post war years by either the Forestry Commission or private landowners / investors. The earlier post war plantations were developed with the sole aim of providing timber and as such were planted predominantly with larch, sitka spruce or hedgepole pine. Younger schemes are generally more diverse and better designed reflecting the increased emphasis on multi-purpose forestry. The plantations cover a significant proportion of the Southern Uplands and associated foothills,
and are increasingly being proposed for valley and other lower level locations. Many of the earlier plantations, particularly those managed by Forest Enterprise, are now being restructured/redesigned and re planted.
Section 3: Issues Associated with New Forestry Proposals
Forestry developments can raise numerous issues.
Landscape
The conversion of open land to forestry can bring about pronounced changes to the rural landscape. In some instances planting or restructuring can enhance the landscape character of an area, helping recompense for past woodland loss. For example in some valleys new planting can be used to create an intimate mix of pasture and woodland in keeping with the general character of the area. New native broadleaf planting can also help restore areas of semi-natural woodland along the sides of burns and other riparian areas.
Forestry, however, can have an adverse impact on landscape character. The dense monocultures associated with earlier plantations have transformed a significant proportion of South Ayrshire’s upland areas, obscuring the subtleties of the landform and associated features. Many of the earlier schemes, including the shelter belts associated with farm woodlands, were also planted in geometrically shaped compartments and as such sit uncomfortably in the landscape.
Design
Good design is essential in order to ensure that schemes are integrated into the landscape. This means having regard to the shape, diversity and scale of the planting, local topography, and the general “spirit of the place”. The Council has welcomed the production by the Forestry Commission of its guidelines on design and recognises that these combined with changes in forestry grants have resulted in better-designed schemes.
Landscape Character
It is the Council’s view, however, that further consideration often needs to be given to the impact of schemes on overall landscape character. Information on the landscape character of South Ayrshire is contained in the Ayrshire Landscape Assessment (1998).
It is the Council’s view that any new planting should be of a scale and form appropriate to the landscape character of the area. It is also recognised that in some instances further planting may not be appropriate in view of the impact it would have on landscape character.
It is also important to ensure that forestry developments do not obscure visually significant components of the landscape character. These may include areas of ancient, semi-natural woodland (particularly small glen or gully woodlands), hedgerows, waterfalls, rock outcrops and particular topographical features such as drumlins.
Incremental Expansion
Much of the recent forestry expansion in South Ayrshire has been characterised by incremental expansion, with new planting being proposed for areas adjacent to existing plantations. The incremental and cumulative nature of forestry expansion in some parts of the Council area has increased the size of forestry blocks to a scale out of keeping with the general landscape character. It is the Council’s view that there should be a general presumption against incremental expansion where the resultant size of the forestry area would adversely affect the landscape character.
Reasonable Balance
The scale and location of new planting can give rise to the issue of “reasonable balance” between forestry and other land uses. This issue is particularly pertinent in parts of the Southern Uplands where around 40% of the total land area is under afforestation; by contrast the percentage cover in terms of all types of woodland in Scotland is 17%. It is the Council’s view that the balance between forestry and open land has been exceeded in these areas and that further planting outwith existing plantations may not be appropriate. Consequently proposals to increase the proportion of open land through the restructuring of existing forestry areas would generally be welcomed. In addition, the Council recognises the need to avoid an imbalance between forestry and other land uses elsewhere in the local authority area. Areas which may be particularly vulnerable to an imbalance generally coincide with those locations which are prone to incremental forestry expansion.
Access and Informal Recreation
Existing forests and sites proposed for planting often include formal or informal public access. In terms of formal access, local planning authorities have a legal duty to protect and keep open and free from obstruction or encroachment constituted public rights of way. Other paths, whilst not constituted, may meet the criteria for public right of way status and as such could be subject to the same protection.
Existing accesses should be incorporated in new forestry designs. The Council also recognises the value of creating new paths and for enhancing peoples’ enjoyment of woodlands by introducing diversity in the species composition and density of planting, retaining viewpoints, providing visitor facilities and encouraging other uses such as cycling and horse riding. These are measures which have been successfully undertaken by the Forest Enterprise in the Galloway Forest Park. The value of establishing community woodlands near centres of population is also recognised.
Community Concerns
Forestry operations can affect local people in both positive and negative ways. A variety of amenity benefits may be accrued through new planting schemes. Conversely new planting or felling may generate a number of concerns for example, the obstruction of views, impact on private water supplies, loss of footpaths and increased use of roads by forestry traffic. For forestry developers, consultation with local communities can be valuable in terms of highlighting opportunities and issues, the identification of which may rely on local knowledge.
The Council sends copies of any forestry consultations it receives to the relevant Community Council and local Councillor for comment. When responding to the Forestry Commission, the Council will always include any written comments received as a result of this consultation, including any representations which may be received from individual residents, and recommend that they are given due regard. Where appropriate the Council may advise the Forestry Commission to ask for wider consultation through, for example, public meetings.
Forestry Traffic
The main traffic issues associated with forestry developments occur during felling stages. The nature of the industry means that forestry vehicles often need to use rural minor roads which were not built to withstand use by heavy vehicles. In many cases any extraordinary costs incurred as a result of damage to public roads and bridges have to be met by the Council. If, however, the damage can be attributed to one single operator and in addition to discussions within the Ayrshire Timber Transport Group, then the Council as Road’s Authority does have powers to claim any extraordinary costs incurred.
In view of the finite resources available for road maintenance and the difficulties associated with trying to attribute any damage to one single operator, the Council is keen to discuss any traffic issues with forestry developers at the earliest possible stage i.e. prior to planting. The Council, in
seeking to minimise disturbance, and maintain traffic safety identifies recognised haulage routes for timber in association with the timber haulage operators.
The movement of forestry traffic through villages and other settlements may also raise serious noise and safety issues. These issues, as with the aforementioned road concerns, should be considered at the earliest possible stage, preferably prior to planting taking place.
Development Plans and Other Policy Documents
The Council, in responding to forestry consultations, takes into account how proposals accord with local strategy documents. Of key importance are development plans which set down frameworks for future land use and address physical and visual changes. Forestry, whilst being a major land use, falls outwith the definition of “development” in the town and country planning legislation. Many policies, however, are applicable. In terms of rural land use change, development plan policies concerning agriculture, archaeology, natural heritage designations, the wider natural heritage, wildlife corridors etc. are likely to be particularly pertinent.
In February 2002 the three Ayrshire Councils jointly published the “Ayrshire Woodland Strategy:Draft for Consultation’ which provides a strategic planning context for the direction of forestry policy and activity in Ayrshire. The Ayrshire Woodland Strategy is now approved.
The Council will also draw attention, where appropriate, to policies contained in the Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan. This Action Plan is essentially an ongoing process involving the production of individual, targeted action plans for species and habitats, the implementation of which will depend on the input of a wide range of parties and individuals. This Local Plan includes a Wildlife Strategy which complements certain elements of this forestry strategy.
The Council’s Forestry Strategy will aim to achieve the relevant biodiversity targets contained in the Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action plan and Nature Conservation Strategy
Section 4: Principles To Guide Forestry ProposalsThe following principles relate to the issues considered in section 3 and essentially set down the Council’s view on the nature of future forestry development in South Ayrshire. The principles will underlie the Council’s responses to forestry consultations.
A. Landscape
ii) Forestry developments should complement or enhance the landscape character of an area, in particular:
iii) The Council will normally welcome proposals to:
B. Access and Informal Recreation
i) It is the Council’s view that existing public access should be maintained in new forestry developments.
ii) The Council will normally welcome:
C. Community Concerns
i) Forestry grant scheme and felling licence applicants should be encouraged to notify occupiers of properties adjacent to forestry proposal sites at or before the consultation stage,
D. Traffic Issues
The Council will expect:
i) Forestry traffic routes to and from schemes to be agreed with the Council’s Head of Roads, Parks and Waste Management at or before the consultation stage, and to follow existing agreed haulage routes where possible,
ii) any extraordinary infrastructure costs associated with schemes to be met by the applicant,
iii) the Forestry Commission to pay due regard to the noise and safety issues associated with forestry traffic.
The Council will expect proposed forestry schemes to accord generally with the provisions of the development plan and the and Ayrshire Local Biodiversity Action Plan.
Annex 1 The Forestry Commission’s Consultation Procedure For New Planting And Felling
The Forestry Commission consults local authorities and other organisations on grant applications for new planting and felling licences, in order to ensure that agriculture, amenity, recreation, wildlife, heritage and other land issues are taken fully into account.
The Council, whilst not formally consulted, may submit comments on all other applications. These are outlined in the Forestry Commission Public Register of New Planting and Felling which is updated on a weekly basis.
The Council is one of a number of organisations to be consulted on, or notified of, applications for new planting and felling. Under the agreed consultation procedure the Council comments, where appropriate, on:
The Council also makes reference to any relevant development plan and other Council approved strategy policies, particularly in relation to natural heritage.
Copies of any forestry consultations which the Council receives are sent to the relevant Community Council and local Councillor for comment. In addition the Council sends copies of the weekly list of applications for felling and new planting to the Housing Offices at Maybole and Girvan. Community Councils and individuals can convey any comments on applications directly to the Forestry Commission or the Council.
| Appendix II |
| Industrial and Employment Land Strategy |
| Planning Policy for Ayr Town Centre |
| Newton Strategy |
| Heathfield Strategy |
| Forestry Strategy |
| Wildlife Strategy |
| Indicative Coastal Strategy |
