Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy

114 Pages·2016·5.45 MB·English

Falkirk

Forestry and
Woodland Strategy
22001155 -- 22005555
ANEFORA’

CCoonntteennttss
1 Introduction 1
2 Falkirk’s Woodlands 11
3 Expand and Manage 19
4 Climate Change 39
5 Environment 45
6 Economy 63
7 Communities and Quality of Life 71
8 Spatial Guidance 77
Appendix 1 97
Collated aims, objectives and priorities
Appendix 2 103
Overarching policy principles
Appendix 3 105
Mapping methodology
April 2015
Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy : Contents
Trees and woodlands are an integral part Sco(cid:427) sh Natural Heritage are pleased Falkirk has a valuable woodland resource Trees and woodlands play a cri(cid:415) cal role
of the urban and rural landscape of the to have been able to contribute to to tap into and this Strategy gives a clear in crea(cid:415) ng a sense of place, in providing
Falkirk area, and the contribu(cid:415) on these the development of this Strategy. direc(cid:415) on on how we should develop this an a(cid:425) rac(cid:415) ve landscape se(cid:427) ng and in
in economic, conserva(cid:415) on, recrea(cid:415) onal Sustainable woodland crea(cid:415) on and wonderful natural asset over the next 25 suppor(cid:415) ng biodiversity and habitat
and amenity terms is greatly valued. This management is a key component of the years. We need to expand and manage corridors. The delivery of this strategy
Strategy is central to maintaining exis(cid:415) ng Central Scotland Green Network which our woodlands in a sensi(cid:415) ve manner will support Falkirk’s con(cid:415) nued drive to
tree cover and to securing more plan(cid:415) ng will provide an integrated network of and make sure they work hard to prove enhance the lives of people living in Falkirk.
and management of woodlands in the habitats and access routes across the benefi ts for local people, business and the It will contribute to the development
future. It will be at the core of making Central Belt, linking people with nature. environment. The Strategy will also make of the Central Scotland Green Network
the Fakirk area a more a(cid:425) rac(cid:415) ve and This Strategy will ensure that Falkirk’s a signifi cant contribu(cid:415) on to the delivery and will support increased levels of
healthier place to live and work. This woodlands con(cid:415) nue to make a posi(cid:415) ve of the Central Scotland Green Network, economic ac(cid:415) vity in the Falkirk District.
Stategy is the product of a successful joint contribu(cid:415) on to the area’s landscapes and which is transforming the central belt into a
venture with Sco(cid:427) sh Natural Heritage, biodiversity for everyone to use and enjoy. more a(cid:425) rac(cid:415) ve and healthier place to live.
Forestry Commission Scotland and Central
Scotland Green Network Trust and the
Council acknowledges their valuable input.
Councillor Adrian Mahoney Iain Rennick Keith D Wishart Simon Rennie
Spokesman for Culture, Forth Area Manager, Conservator Central Scotland, Chief Execu(cid:415) ve Offi cer
Leisure and Tourism, Falkirk Council Sco(cid:427) sh Natural Heritage Forestry Commission Scotland Central Scotland Green Network Trust
Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy : Introduction
11.. IInnttrroodduuccttiioonn
1.1 T rees and woodland are an important component of Falkirk’s urban and rural
landscapes, and make a key contribu(cid:415) on to environmental quality, the health and
well-being of its communi(cid:415) es and the a(cid:425) rac(cid:415) veness of the area as a place to live, work
and invest.
What is the Strategy for? Why is it being developed?
1.2 T he Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy (herea(cid:332) er referred to as The Strategy is 1.5 I n the past two decades, Falkirk has led the way in demonstra(cid:415) ng the value of high quality
intended to guide woodland management and expansion in the Falkirk area, providing woodland and green space as a means of delivering major environmental enhancement
a strategic and spa(cid:415) al framework to op(cid:415) mise the contribu(cid:415) on of woodland and forestry and meaningful social and economic benefi ts for local people. Necessarily, much of this
to the people, environment and economy of the region. ac(cid:415) vity has focussed on the urban area and the legacy of post-industrial derelic(cid:415) on -
in other words, where ac(cid:415) on has been needed most. This Strategy aims to cover the
1.3 Specifi cally, it will:
whole authority area, dealing with opportuni(cid:415) es and challenges in the rural area, as
• Promote the crea(cid:415) on of high quality, mul(cid:415) -objec(cid:415) ve woodland; well as providing links to ongoing urban and community-focussed ini(cid:415) a(cid:415) ves.
• Inform the design and management of woodland in the Falkirk area;
Terminology
• Assist in protec(cid:415) ng and enhancing valuable woodland;
The emphasis of current Sco(cid:427) sh Government policy makes the delivery of mul(cid:415) ple
• S upport the Falkirk Local Development Plan and form part of the evidence base for
benefi ts by woodland - regardless of origin - a necessity. In line with this policy, this
the next Local Development Plan;
Strategy uses the term ‘woodland’ throughout to refer to all areas of land, over
• I nform local authority development management, investment and asset 0.25 hectares in area, where trees are growing. ‘Forest’ is used only in rela(cid:415) on to
management decisions on proposals that include woodland removal or crea(cid:415) on; large-scale planted woodlands managed for (cid:415) mber produc(cid:415) on.
• G uide local authority responses to consulta(cid:415) on on plan(cid:415) ng proposals and
The term ‘forestry’ is used to refer to the science, art and prac(cid:415) ce of managing
applica(cid:415) ons for grant support for woodland crea(cid:415) on and management;
woodlands on a professional and sustainable basis to ensure that their economic,
• G uide development and delivery of grant support for forestry through the Scotland social and environmental benefi ts to society are op(cid:415) mised.
Rural Development Programme (SRDP); and,
‘Conifer’ is used as a general descriptor for all coniferous woodland; ‘so(cid:332) wood’ is
• A ssist with the development and approval of Forest District Strategic Plans and used where trees are planted principally for (cid:415) mber produc(cid:415) on. In Falkirk these are
long-term Forest Plans and Land Management Plans. o(cid:332) en non-na(cid:415) ve species.
1.4 O nce adopted, the Strategy will replace the Indica(cid:415) ve Forestry Strategy in the Falkirk
Council Structure Plan 20071 and the Falkirk Urban Woodland Strategy2. The Strategy
has been developed in partnership with Forestry Commission Scotland, Falkirk Council,
Central Scotland Green Network Trust (CSGNT), and Sco(cid:427) sh Natural Heritage.
1 Falkirk Council, 2007. Falkirk Council Structure Plan 2007. Falkirk: Falkirk Council.
2 Falkirk Council, 2005. Falkirk Urban Woodland Strategy. Falkirk: Falkirk Council.

Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy : Introduction 1
Introduction
Figure 1.1 : Loca(cid:415) on
2 Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy : Introduction
Introduction
Context of the Strategy
Introduc(cid:415) on
1.6 T he management, use and expansion of woodlands sit at the interface of planning, 1.9 T he SFS has seven key themes which will help to achieve its vision for Scotland’s
environmental and forestry policy. While this means that trees and woodland can help woodlands:
to achieve a wide range of objec(cid:415) ves, it also means that the regulatory situa(cid:415) on is
• Climate Change - Helping Scotland mi(cid:415) gate and adapt to climate change;
some(cid:415) mes complicated. This does, however, help to ensure that adverse social and
• Timber - Ge(cid:427) ng the most from Scotland’s (cid:415) mber resource;
environmental eff ects can be iden(cid:415) fi ed and successfully avoided or mi(cid:415) gated.
• Business Development - Suppor(cid:415) ng sustainable economic growth through business
Forestry development of the Sco(cid:427) sh woodland sector;
The Sco(cid:427) sh Forestry Strategy
• Community Development - Suppor(cid:415) ng community development to improve quality
1.7 T he na(cid:415) onal policy context for the Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy is set by of life and well-being;
The Sco(cid:427) sh Forestry Strategy (SFS)3 (2006) which outlines Sco(cid:427) sh Ministers’ aspira(cid:415) ons • A ccess and Health - Improving access to woodlands, to help improve the health of
for Scotland’s woodland resource, highligh(cid:415) ng key themes, issues and policies for Scotland;
expansion and management. The SFS has set a target of increasing Scotland’s woodland
• E nvironmental Quality - Protec(cid:415) ng the environmental quality of our natural resources;
cover from 17% to 25% by the second half of the century.
and,
1.8 I t sets out a vision which looks ahead to the second half of this century (but focuses on
• Biodiversity - Helping to conserve and enhance Scotland’s biodiversity.
the delivery of key priori(cid:415) es un(cid:415) l 2016). Its vision is that:
“By the second half of this century, people are benefi (cid:415) ng widely from Scotland’s trees, 1.10 T he policies of the SFS are supported by the current suite of Forestry Commission
woodlands and forests, ac(cid:415) vely engaging with and looking a(cid:332) er them for the use and guidance, in par(cid:415) cular the mandatory UK Forestry Standard (UKFS), supported by the
enjoyment of genera(cid:415) ons to come. The forestry resource has become a central part of voluntary UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS). These policies should ensure
our culture, economy and environment”. best prac(cid:415) ce in woodland design and management.
1.11 T he Sco(cid:427) sh Forestry Strategy set the context for a number of policy documents and
ini(cid:415) a(cid:415) ves which expand upon the role of woodland and forestry in mee(cid:415) ng a broad
range of objec(cid:415) ves. The Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) ini(cid:415) a(cid:415) ve, delivered
through the Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) and the Sustainable Management
of Forests (SMF) funds in the Sco(cid:427) sh Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-
2020, aims to improve and regenerate urban woodlands close to where people live
and work (within 1km of se(cid:425) lements with a popula(cid:415) on of over 2000 people). The
Role of Scotland’s Na(cid:415) onal Forest Estate and Strategic Direc(cid:415) ons 2013-2016 is a
strategic plan which defi nes how Forestry Commission Scotland, through its opera(cid:415) ng
arm, Forest Enterprise Scotland, will implement the Sco(cid:427) sh Forestry Strategy in the
Na(cid:415) onal Forest Estates. The strategy is complemented by a set of strategic plans - one
for each of the ten forest districts. The Sco(cid:427) sh Lowlands Forest District Strategic Plan
covers the Falkirk Council area.
3 Sco(cid:427) sh Execu(cid:415) ve, 2006. The Sco(cid:427) sh Forestry Strategy. Edinburgh: Sco(cid:427) sh Execu(cid:415) ve.

Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy : Introduction 3
Introduction

Ra(cid:415) onale for Woodland Expansion Scotland Rural Development Programme
1.12 T he Sco(cid:427) sh Government’s Ra(cid:415) onale for Woodland Expansion4 sets out the Sco(cid:427) sh 1.15 T he Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) includes a range of op(cid:415) ons to
Government’s views on how woodland expansion can best increase the delivery of fund many types of woodland crea(cid:415) on and management that can be u(cid:415) lised to meet
public benefi ts from Scotland’s land in line with the contents of the Sco(cid:427) sh Forestry the specifi c characteris(cid:415) cs of the region.
Strategy. It notes the role of woodland expansion and management in:
1.16 T he Forestry Grant Scheme 2014 - 2020 encourages an increase in the sustainable
• Helping to tackle greenhouse gas emissions; management of exis(cid:415) ng woodlands and the crea(cid:415) on of well-designed woodlands and
• Restoring lost habitats and adap(cid:415) ng to climate change; forests7 in areas iden(cid:415) fi ed as being ‘preferred’ or ‘poten(cid:415) al’ in forestry and woodland
strategies, priority areas in the Forestry Commission Scotland-SEPA opportunity map
• Delivering ecosystem services;
for riparian woodland, priority areas for woodland expansion in the Cairngorms
• Underpinning a sustainable forest products industry; Na(cid:415) onal Park, and in the Central Scotland Green Network.
• Suppor(cid:415) ng rural development;
1.17 T he Woodland Improvement Grant (WIG) of the Forestry Grant Scheme priori(cid:415) ses the
• Providing community benefi ts; and, improvement of exis(cid:415) ng woodlands by providing grants to:
• Enhancing urban areas and improving landscapes. • E ncourage natural regenera(cid:415) on which will benefi t priority habitats and species
(through the Habitats and Species grant);
1.13 I t sets a target of plan(cid:415) ng a further 650,000ha of woodland, necessita(cid:415) ng a plan(cid:415) ng
• I ncrease species and structural diversity through the use of Low Impact Silvicultural
rate averaging 10,000ha per year. This has been adopted as the na(cid:415) onal target, and is
Systems (LISS) (through the LISS grant);
a cri(cid:415) cal means of achieving Scotland’s emission reduc(cid:415) on commitments5.
• C ontribute to the sustainable management of urban woodlands and improve public
access (through the Woods In and Around Towns [WIAT] grant);
Policy on Control of Woodland Removal
• S upport the prepara(cid:415) on of forest and/or management plans that set out
1.14 T he Sco(cid:427) sh Government’s Policy on the Control of Woodland Removal6 seeks to
management objec(cid:415) ves for woodlands (through grant support for Long-term
facilitate the desired increase in woodland area by preven(cid:415) ng avoidable woodland
Forest Plans; Forest Plan Renewals; Woodland Grazing Management Plans; WIAT
loss. It establishes the need for compensatory plan(cid:415) ng where development proposals
Urban Woodland Management Plans; and, Deer Management Plans); and,
or forestry work necessitates the loss of woodland.
• I mprove the biodiversity, resilience, and structural diversity of even aged woodlands
(through the Restructuring Regenera(cid:415) on grant).
4 Sco(cid:427) sh Government, 2009. The Sco(cid:427) sh Government’s Ra(cid:415) onale for Woodland Expansion. [pdf]. Available at: h(cid:425) p://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/corporate/pdf/ForestExpansion.pdf [Accessed 01 September 2014]
5 See Low Carbon Scotland: Mee(cid:415) ng the Emissions Reduc(cid:415) on Targets 2010-2022
6 Sco(cid:427) sh Government, 2009. The Sco(cid:427) sh Government’s Policy on Control of Woodland Removal. [pdf]. Available at: h(cid:425) p://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/corporate/pdf/fcfc125.pdf [Accessed 01 September 2014]
7 In par(cid:415) cular conifer, diverse conifer and broadleaved woodlands and forests.
4 Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy : Introduction
Introduction

Central Scotland Green Network
1.18 T he Sustainable Management of Forests (SMF) of the Forestry Grant Scheme supports 1.20 W ithin the pan-regional policy context, the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN)
a range of ac(cid:415) vi(cid:415) es in exis(cid:415) ng woodlands that will: is defi ned as a ‘na(cid:415) onal development’ within the Na(cid:415) onal Planning Framework 3(cid:1062),
encompassing 19 local authori(cid:415) es across Central Scotland, which aims to change the
• I ncrease species and structural diversity through LISS management (through the
face of Central Scotland by restoring and improving the rural and urban landscape of
LISS grant);
the area. The CSGN’s vision has been defi ned as follows:
• E ncourage natural regenera(cid:415) on to expand na(cid:415) ve woodlands (through the Na(cid:415) ve
Woodlands grant); “By 2050, Central Scotland has been transformed into a place where the environment
adds value to the economy and where people’s lives are enriched by its quality”.
• B ring na(cid:415) ve woodland and designated woodland features into ac(cid:415) ve management
and good ecological condi(cid:415) on (through the Livestock Exclusion, and Woodland 1.21 Over the lifespan of NPF3, the CSGN and its lead organisa(cid:415) ons will focus on:
Grazing grants);
• Promo(cid:415) ng ac(cid:415) ve travel;
• S upport the management of rural and urban woodlands for public access (through
• Addressing vacant and derelict land; and
the Public Access - Rural Woods, and Public Access – WIAT grants); and,
• F ocussing ac(cid:415) on in disadvantaged areas to maximise community and health
• C ontrol the spread of non-na(cid:415) ve invasive species (through the Grey Squirrel
benefi ts.
Control; Predator Control for Capercaillie and Black Grouse, and Reducing Deer
Impact grants).
There is substan(cid:415) al synergy between the aims of the CSGN and those of the Falkirk
Forestry and Woodland Strategy. It is an(cid:415) cipated that the Strategy will be a key tool for
1.19 Other support measures iden(cid:415) fi ed in the Forestry Grant Scheme include the:
delivering CSGN ac(cid:415) ons in Falkirk.
• A groforestry grant which provides support to create small scale woodland within
sheep grazing pastures;
• T ree Health grant which provides support for the restora(cid:415) on of forests aff ected by
tree diseases by removing infected trees and carrying out subsequent replan(cid:415) ng;
• H arves(cid:415) ng and Processing grant which supports investments in new specialised
equipment to increase the local small-scale harves(cid:415) ng and processing capacity with
the aim of bringing woodlands into posi(cid:415) ve management; promo(cid:415) ng the economic
and sustainable produc(cid:415) on of (cid:415) mber and (cid:415) mber products through processing;
adding value to local economies on a non-industrial scale; providing support to
facilitate and support diversifi ca(cid:415) on and to assist with the crea(cid:415) on of new small
enterprises and related employment;
• F orest Infrastructure grant which provides support for new access infrastructure
to bring small scale, undermanaged woodlands or inaccessible woodlands back
into ac(cid:415) ve management to improve the economic value of forest and woodland
through (cid:415) mber produc(cid:415) on; increase the area of woodland that is in sustainable
management; and improve the environmental and social benefi t of woodland.
8 Sco(cid:427) sh Government, 2014. Scotland’s Third Na(cid:415) onal Planning Framework. Edinburgh:Sco(cid:427) sh Government.

Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy : Introduction 5
Introduction
Planning
Na(cid:415) onal Planning Framework Development Plan
1.22 Na(cid:415) onal Planning Framework 3 (NPF3)9 was published on the 23rd June 2014 it aims 1.27 P olicy ENV.6 of the Falkirk Council Structure Plan 200711 encourages the con(cid:415) nued
to increase the rate of woodland crea(cid:415) on to deliver 100,000 hectares of new woodland development of programmes of ac(cid:415) on to enhance the countryside around towns/
over the next 10 years. In addi(cid:415) on, NPF3 pledges to plant 100 million trees by 2015. villages iden(cid:415) fi ed within the Falkirk Greenspace Ini(cid:415) a(cid:415) ve through tree plan(cid:415) ng, habitat
enhancement, and measures to improve access to the countryside. It also states that
Sco(cid:427) sh Planning Policy it will contribute to the Central Scotland Forest Ini(cid:415) a(cid:415) ve through partnership working
with Central Scotland Forest Trust (now the Central Scotland Green Network Trust) to
1.23 S co(cid:427) sh Planning Policy (SPP) sets out the Sco(cid:427) sh Government’s na(cid:415) onal level policy
deliver landscape improvements, habitat enhancement and tree plan(cid:415) ng.
on the purpose, prac(cid:415) ce and core principles of spa(cid:415) al planning.
1.28 P olicy EQ26 of the Falkirk Council Local Plan12 and Policy GN04 of the Proposed Local
1.24 In parallel with the NPF3, Sco(cid:427) sh Planning Policy was published on the 23rd June 2014.
Development Plan13 recognise the ecological, landscape, economic and recrea(cid:415) onal
1.25 P aragraph 194 of the Sco(cid:427) sh Planning Policy10 requires the protec(cid:415) on and importance of trees, woodland and hedgerows. The policies state that the enhancement
enhancement of ancient and semi-natural woodland as an important and irreplaceable and management of exis(cid:415) ng woodland and hedgerows will be encouraged. There
resource, together with other na(cid:415) ve or long established woods, hedgerows and is a preference for the use of appropriate local na(cid:415) ve species in new and replan(cid:415) ng
individual trees with high nature conserva(cid:415) on or landscape value. It highlights the schemes, or non-na(cid:415) ve species which are integral to the historic landscape character.
value of the Na(cid:415) ve Woodland Survey of Scotland in the produc(cid:415) on of forestry and Compensatory plan(cid:415) ng will be required for developments which involve the felling of
woodland strategies. Paragraph 201 states that “plans should iden(cid:415) fy woodlands of trees.
high nature conserva(cid:415) on value and include policies for protec(cid:415) ng them and enhancing
their condi(cid:415) on and resilience to climate change”. Paragraph 201 also states that Forestry and Planning
planning authori(cid:415) es should prepare forestry and woodland strategies as supplementary The Right Tree in the Right Place - Planning for Forestry and Woodlands
guidance to inform the development of forestry and woodland in their area, including
1.29 T he Right Tree in the Right Place - Planning for Forestry and Woodlands14 sets the current
the expansion of woodland of a range of types to provide mul(cid:415) ple benefi ts. In addi(cid:415) on,
context for the produc(cid:415) on of indica(cid:415) ve forestry strategies. New forestry and woodland
paragraph 201 highlights that Sco(cid:427) sh Government advice on planning for forestry and
strategies have been published for Glasgow and the Clyde Valley15 , Edinburgh and the
woodland is set out in The Right Tree in the Right Place.
Lothians, S(cid:415) rling and Clackmannanshire, Fife, Argyll and Bute, Dumfries and Galloway,
1.26 T he SPP acknowledges the role that woodlands can play in climate change mi(cid:415) ga(cid:415) on and Ayrshire and Arran.
and adapta(cid:415) on. Paragraph 220 states that green infrastructure should be protected
and enhanced to provide mul(cid:415) ple benefi ts. Ge(cid:427) ng the best from our land: A Land Use Strategy for Scotland
1.30 G e(cid:427) ng the best from our land: A Land Use Strategy for Scotland16 sets the strategic
framework for bringing together proposals for op(cid:415) mising the poten(cid:415) al of Scotland’s
land resources.
1.31 T he policy context of the Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy is outlined in
Diagram 1.1.
9 Sco(cid:427) sh Government, 2014. Scotland’s Third Na(cid:415) onal Planning Framework. Edinburgh:Sco(cid:427) sh Government. 14 S co(cid:427) sh Government, 2010. The Right Tree in the Right Place - Planning for Forestry and Woodlands. [pdf] Edinburgh:
10 Sco(cid:427) sh Government, 2014. Sco(cid:427) sh Planning Policy. Edinburgh:Sco(cid:427) sh Government. Forestry Commission Scotland. Available at: h(cid:425) p://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcfc129.pdf/$FILE/fcfc129.pdf [Accessed 01 2013 April 2014]
11 Falkirk Council, 2007. Falkirk Council Structure Plan 2007. Falkirk:Falkirk Council. 15 A revised version of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Strategy is currently being prepared and is
12 Falkirk Council, 2010. The Falkirk Council Local Plan. Falkirk:Falkirk Council. an(cid:415) cipated to be fi nalised in 2015.
13 Falkirk Council, 2013. Falkirk Local Development Plan Proposed Plan. Falkirk:Falkirk Council. 16 S co(cid:427) sh Government, 2011. Ge(cid:427) ng the Best from our Land: A Land Use Strategy for Scotland. Edinburgh: Sco(cid:427) sh Government.
6 Falkirk Forestry and Woodland Strategy : Introduction