Help shape the South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership
Views are now being sought on the creation of a South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership, which will aim to support the region’s Net Zero journey and address the loss of biodiversity.
What is the South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership?
The South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership pilot is one of five Scottish Government pilot projects, which are being developed throughout Scotland.
The South of Scotland’s pilot aims to help develop Scotland’s approach to these key issues for the future of the South.
The Partnerships will help communities, land managers, national and local government, and stakeholders work together to find ways to optimise land use in a fair and inclusive way.
This in turn will help meet local and national objectives and support the Just Transition to Net Zero – which Scotland is aiming to achieve by 2045.
Who is involved?
The South of Scotland pilot is led by:
- South of Scotland Enterprise
- Dumfries and Galloway Council
- Scottish Borders Council
Take part in online survey
The survey runs until Friday 18 March and is now available.
The online survey is seeking the views and ideas of people across the South on the establishment of a Regional Land Use Partnership for this region.
The online survey is part of an initial phase of engagement and will also ask respondents what they think the key land use opportunities and issues are, and for their overall vision for a South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership.
What happens next?
From this spring, the Partnership will begin development of a Regional Land Use Framework, working with stakeholders across the region, which is to be completed by the end of 2023.
Professor Russel Griggs, Chair of SOSE
“If Scotland is to achieve its target of reducing emissions to Net Zero by 2045, we all need to think about all aspects of our lives, including the way we manage the various competing land uses now, and in future years.
“The South of Scotland Regional Land Use Partnership pilot project is aiming to come up with a solution and through this initial phase of engagement welcomes the views of people from across the region on what they see as the main opportunities, and issues, we need to tackle.
“Land use and biodiversity are crucial to the future economic success and wellbeing of the South of Scotland and I would encourage anyone with a view to take part.”
Councillor Elaine Murray, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council
“If we are to achieve our ambitious goals we need to act now, but in order to come up with a plan which suits everyone we need to hear the views of our citizens.
“I would encourage everyone to have their voice heard and shape the future of our land.”
Councillor Sandy Aitchison, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Sustainable Development
“Working together across the South of Scotland we can really deliver positive change and ensure that whilst protecting and enhancing the environment we also deliver for the local economy and communities wherever possible.
“This survey is an excellent opportunity for all those with an interest in land use and its relationship to nature and a Just Transition to Net Zero to have their say and get involved in shaping this important area of work at the earliest stages.”