Countryside Management

Structure Plan Chapter 3 - Caring for the Environment

3.6 - Countryside Management

3.6.1: The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs area is to become Scotland's first National Park. The future role of the Park and its relationship to the Structure Plan strategy is described fully in Chapters Two and Three of this Plan. In the period prior to formal designation of the National Park, Stirling Council will only support appropriate new development in order to ensure that the quality and integrity of the area is safeguarded. A National Park Interim Committee is now established with a role in planning and development control.

Proposal ENVP2 - National Park

Stirling Council will work jointly with Argyll and Bute and West Dunbartonshire Councils, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Executive and other interested parties to support the establishment of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, including the establishment of a suitably rigorous and precautionary planning regime in the interim period prior to formal designation and will only support appropriate new development.

See also: SD 1; TP 1; ENV 1; ENV 3; ENV 4 ; ENV 5; ENV 9

3.6.2: Access to the countryside, the rivers, and the historic towns and villages of the area is vital for local communities, for tourism and recreation and as a means of sustainable transport. Both Councils have worked in partnership with other agencies to promote an extensive network of paths, including many which will link with the National Cycle Route, and this will continue to be progressed during the Structure Plan period. Additional access programmes can be augmented through new development, and where such opportunities exist, these will be encouraged. Similarly, the Councils will seek to safeguard existing or planned access provision from development which may have an adverse effect upon it.
3.6.3: The Councils, on their own land and in partnership with other land owners/managers, will also engage in and support countryside management with wider environmental objectives, such as landscape enhancement. Management agreements will be sought where appropriate and formal management plans prepared for priority areas. Opportunities for enhancing access through development will be pursued where they arise.

Proposal ENVP3 - Countryside Access and Management

The Councils will work in partnership with land owners/managers and appropriate agencies to promote countryside management in the interests of safeguarding and improving public access, and the enhancement and interpretation of landscape and habitats.