Scottish Government

Regional Priority Code

Landscape Priorities

Relevant Packages

Valued and attractive landscapes which contribute positively to peoples environment, through:

D+G13a

The safeguarding and enhancement of the diverse character of rural landscapes. Particularly proposals that:

• support appropriate management that contributes to the strategies and guidelines for each of the 26 landscape types identified in the Dumfries and Galloway landscape assessment.

D+G13b

Enhanced experience, understanding and enjoyment of the landscape. Particularly proposals that:

• enhance key views from public roads, access routes, footpaths and public open spaces, and at recognised viewpoints and/or support enhanced understanding. Priority for viewpoints will be firstly given to views within the National Scenic Areas (NSAs) and those views within NSAs providing a view towards a Natura 2000 site will be further prioritised and secondly views from public roads, accessible historic features and other landmarks, access routes and designation points within the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes and areas near to and accessible for communities.

D+G13c

High quality design in both new build and natural elements that enhance and strengthen the landscape character of an area. Particularly proposals that:

• incorporate high sustainability principles, such as low carbon design and/or support for developing design guidance for future developments in communities.

D+G13d

Actions at a landscape scale which strengthen and/or enhance the landscape character of an area and contribute to sense of place. Particularly proposals that:

• support the preparation of landscape strategies, frameworks and action plans, and training in rural land management skills.

D+G13e

A strengthening and/or enhancement of the special qualities within National Scenic Areas (NSA), National Parks and locally designated landscapes. Actions should contribute to delivery of NSA Management Strategy where in place.

Particularly proposals that:

• contribute to the delivery of the three Dumfries and Galloway NSA Management Strategies and action plans and for significant features identified within the Regional Scenic Areas in the D&G Structure Plan
• support the review of the current Strategies and Action Plans.

D+G13f

Action for landscapes whose qualities have been degraded by past use. Particularly proposals that:

• maximise existing natural landscape features (such as remnant native woodland/scrub, hedgerows and dykes) to enhance landscapes degraded by past use. In the uplands the development and implementation of moorland strategies to improve the quality and extent of heather dominated moorland.

D+G14

An increased contribution to the diversity and character of landscape from Scotland's woods and forests, through the use of Low Intervention Silvicultural Systems, and diversification of a range of well designed woodland types in the preferred areas, as identified in regional Indicative Forestry Strategies or Woodland Strategies or in line with Forest Habitat Networks. Particularly proposals that:

• increase contribution to the diversity and character of landscape within Dumfries and Galloway through restructuring planted woodlands
• support appropriate woodland management and expansion proposals in Dumfries and Galloway as set out in the D&G Local Forestry Frameworks and along the lines of the Forest Habitat Network proposals and the Landscape Design Guidance for Forest and Woodland to Dumfries and Galloway
• support Forest Plans and associated actions to restructure large-scale, first-rotation conifer plantations
• seek to protect, restore and enhance the woodland and tree elements of Dumfries and Galloway Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes
• heritage trees, including historic orchards
• support the application of low intensity silvicultural systems.