GCV Forestry and Woodland Framework by GCVSDPA

GLASGOW AND THE CLYDE VALLEY FORESTRY AND WOODLAND FRAMEWORK incorporating the Indicative Forest Strategy and Woodland Strategy November 2005

Contents Section 1.0

2.0

page

Background to the Framework

1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

3 3 3 5 5

Changing Context of Forestry Contribution to Renewal Structure Plan Vision and Green Network Clyde Valley Community Forest Relationship to Other Strategies

Components of the Forestry and Woodland Framework 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4

Structure and Delivery Indicative Forestry Strategy and Woodland Strategy Woodland Strategy Maps Priority Areas for Strategic Action

Appendix A Development of Priorities for Strategic Action 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 8.0 9.0

Overarching Themes Relationship to and Promotion of Green Network Urban and Urban Fringe Forestry Local Context Vacant and Derelict Land, Mineral Extraction and Landfill Sites Enhancement of Transport Corridors Woodland Opportunities and Wind Farms Ancient and Native Woodland and Trees Riparian and Floodplain Woodland Trees Farmed Landscape Productive Woodland Productive Planting Forestry and Woodland Industries Biomass and Other Renewable Energy Planting General Management of Woodland and Trees Designed Woodland Landscape Heritage

Appendix B Technical Context for the Updated Forestry and Woodland Framework 1.0 2.0 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 7.1 7.2

The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Area Land Capability for Forestry Agriculture Land Capability for Agriculture Less Favoured Areas for Agriculture Type of Agriculture Natural Heritage Bogs and Peatland Built Heritage Landscape Landscape Character Areas Landscape Designations

Appendix C Methodology for Development of the IFS and the Woodland Strategy

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

6 6 6 7 12 15 15 16 17 17 19 21 22 23 26 28 30 30 33 34 35 37 39 39 40 42 42 44 45 46 47 48 49 49 50 51

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

1.0

BACKGROUND TO THE FRAMEWORK

1.1

Changing Context of Forestry The approved Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan 2000 contains an Indicative Forestry Strategy (IFS) designed to help deliver the aims and vision of the Structure Plan. The first IFS for the Glasgow and Clyde Valley area was undertaken by Strathclyde Regional Council and the Forestry Commission in the 1980s. Although it was carried forward into the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Structure Plan it was accepted that this was an interim measure and that it would be reviewed at the earliest opportunity. The Joint Committee agreed in November 2003 to begin work on an alteration to the Structure Plan which would include a review of this Policy. The reviews aim was to have a greater focus on promoting a more positive action framework for the extension of woodlands and forestry.

1.2

Contribution to Renewal This review is primarily directed on refocusing forestry policy on social priorities and economic regeneration as well as continuing the inherited concerns for environmental protection and enhancement. Forestry has a huge role to play in contributing to improved urban form and quality of life for residents, renewal of derelict land and overall image. This can also contribute to enhancing the economic competitiveness of the area, its sustainability and its landscape and biodiversity. This review aims to maximise the role woodlands can play in addressing all these issues as part of the overall review of the Structure Plan and the development of a Green Network for the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Area.

1.3

Structure Plan Vision and Green Network The protection and enhancement of the strategic Metropolitan Green Network is a cornerstone of Structure Plan policy and woodland planting has a key role in achieving this goal. The Strategic Vision The Strategic Vision set out in the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan (2000) is a powerful one: The area will be amongst the most attractive business locations in Europe because of the improved quality of the transport system, the labour force and the physical environment; The quality of life in all communities will be valued because of the improved access to jobs, town centre facilities and residential environment, reinforced by a well defined high quality green belt; The image of the area as a place to live, work and visit will be transformed by the greening of urban and rural areas; and Public transport, walking and cycling will be as attractive modes as the car for most trips, because of their improved quality and integration. This will be done through the: enhancement of the environment for not only its own sake but also in support of economic growth and community regeneration; and creation of a Green Network which enhances not only the amenity and quality of life within and around towns and villages but also strengthens the attractiveness of the area for economic investment. It is recognised that this Strategy alone will not be able to help deliver all the aspects of this vision. However, there is scope for it to make a large contribution to improving the image, quality of life, natural environment and economic competitiveness of the GCV area. New woodlands have already begun to make a difference to the lives of the people who live, work and play here the vision is beginning to be realised. As work continues, the area will continue to be improved.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

As can be seen above, the strategic Green Network is part of the Structure Plan Vision. The purpose and principles behind this Network are threefold: • to improve the image of the conurbation and make it a more attractive location for business investment; • to improve access to high quality open space for the local population and contribute to the health, quality of life and social inclusion agendas; and • to provide a network of green areas that will enhance the biodiversity of the area. The Green Network will include all types of greenspace (formal parks, unmanaged and managed open space, recreational areas, footpaths and areas of woodland) and forestry will have a major role in delivering this Network both through planting larger areas of woodland or smaller pockets of trees along streets or transport corridors and as part of residential development. The Strategic Green Network (shown in Map 1) highlights the main green strategic structure. This will be supplemented by action at the local level. For more information on the Green Network refer to page 26 and Diagram 6 in the Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan 2000 and to the 2005 Structure Plan Alteration. The Green Network is backed up by a Technical Report, published by the Joint Structure Plan Committee, that highlights a range of actions that are needed for each distinct area to bring the Green Network into reality.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Map 1 The Green Network

This product includes mapping data licenced from Ordnance Survey with the permission of HMSO ÂŠ Crown Copyright and / database right 2005 All rights reserved Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan Committee 100032510

1.4

Clyde Valley Community Forest (CVCF) The principles behind the Green Network have for some time been developed into the concept of a Metropolitan Community Forest. This was first devised in the early 1990s and has the agreement of all the councils in the Structure Plan area. The Green Network diagram builds on this policy agreement and highlights particular areas that are strategic priorities for greening and which will provide the key parts of a metropolitan green structure and particular emphasis is placed on the contribution that can be made by the delivery of a Community Forest.

1.5

Relationship to Other Strategies As well as the Structure Plan, the Green Network also assists and forms a context for the implementation of many other strategies both more strategic and more local. It takes the principles developed in the National Forestry Strategy and helps to interpret them into the local context. It also helps to set the context for a wide range of local strategies and programmes that have been developed by the individual partners to help promote and implement issues like access, biodiversity and landscape improvement. The eastern part of the GCV area overlaps the boundary of the Central Scotland Forest. The Central Scotland Forest Trust has published a Local Forestry Framework for their area. Therefore the GCV Green Network and Woodland Strategy (see Section 2.2) has been developed in close consultation with existing strategies to ensure synergy between the areas and documents.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

2.0

COMPONENTS OF THE FORESTRY AND WOODLAND FRAMEWORK

2.1

Structure and Delivery To ensure the Green Network is delivered in a comprehensive manner the Joint Committee has agreed to prepare a Forestry and Woodland Framework (FWF) for the Structure Plan area. This Framework consists of: (a) a reviewed and updated Indicative Forestry Strategy (because environmental protection is still a relevant issue); (b) an extended vision in the shape of a Woodland Strategy, which includes a more promotional approach focusing on the character of forestry activity favoured for specific areas; and (c) priority areas for strategic action. The FWF has been developed by the eight local authorities in the GCV area. Shared strategic priorities for action have also been developed to assist implementation of the FWF, by focusing available resources.

2.2

Indicative Forestry Strategy (IFS) and Woodland Strategy The inherited IFS was primarily designed as a response to the very rapid extension of non-native softwood forests in the Strathclyde area in the 1970s and 80s. It provided a strategic context for supporting the legitimate aims of the forestry industry whilst at the same time protecting important environmental resources. Many of these resources remain at risk and although the rate of extension of commercial upland forest has reduced considerably it is important that the inherited approach to protecting sensitive and identifying existing and potential areas is retained. However, the ways in which the Woodland Strategy can contribute to the Structure Plan vision need to be considered both in the context of the wider rural countryside and the urban environment. In rural areas Common Agricultural Policy reform and the changing agricultural economy provides an opportunity for woodland development to contribute positively to improving the amenity and economy of farmed landscapes. In particular this can help to reinstate traditional farm woodlands and shelter belts. The existing productive woodland resource will continue to evolve and through restructuring help to open up these forests for access whilst improving their environmental value. In recognition of the inherited and renewable resources contained in productive woodlands the Structure Plan and the FWF supports the continued development of the forest product industries. Partner Authorities will work towards identifying and delivering appropriate locations to encourage this industry to thrive. The biodiversity value of the landscape can be enhanced by sustaining and expanding the existing areas of native and ancient woodland which contain important habitats for native species. The development of riparian woodland (which are often remnant areas of native and ancient woodland) can contribute to biodiversity, landscape, access and flood control objectives and has in the past been an undervalued resource. In urban areas there should be a strong focus on the conservation and enhancement of habitat networks and an increase in native tree cover through increased planting, often along riparian corridors. There are major opportunities to improve peopleÂ&#x2019;s quality of life and the image of the area through increased woodland planting. The enhancement of urban and urban fringe areas, most accessible to the biggest proportion of the community, provides a particular opportunity due to a history of neglect and poor management as well as the role that these areas play in defining settlement image and providing a recreational resource. The Structure Plan already identifies the continued development of the Clyde Valley Community Forest as a flagship project for this area. Production of bio-energy fuel from existing woodlands or new planting will contribute to the Structure PlanÂ&#x2019;s commitment to sustainable development by encouraging the use of this renewable energy resource. The development of the biomass energy production potential of the GCV area will be supported through the implementation of the Scottish Woodfuel Development Programme.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Woodlands can contribute positively to Scotland s programme for reducing carbon emissions and help mitigate the impacts of climate change. The contribution of the woodlands in the GCV area includes the use of forest products as a renewable energy resource and sustainable construction material in addition to directly sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. The tackling of these issues through woodland planting and management has the potential to help address many of the objectives of the Structure Plan including the following: • Shared Targets for the Natural and Built Environment (page 15, 2000 Structure Plan), which aim to encourage a 33% increase in the rate of treatment of urban brownfield land and a restoration of 3000ha of degraded countryside. • Farm Forestry - Safeguarding and managing Environmental Resources, including landscape and ecological resources (Strategic Policy 7); sustaining rural communities (Strategic Policy 1). • Productive Forestry - Have regard for further areas of afforestation and their environmental impacts (Strategic Policy 8); sustaining rural communities (Strategic Policy 1). • Native and Semi Natural Woodland - Safeguarding and managing Environmental Resources, including landscape and ecological resources (Strategic Policy 7). • Riparian Woodland - Safeguarding and managing Environmental Resources, including landscape and ecological resources (Strategic Policy 7). • Urban and Urban Fringe Woodland - Environmental improvement for the benefit of the Quality of Life and Health of Local Communities (Strategic Policy 6); Safeguarding of Green Belt (Strategic Policy 1). Also promotion of development of Community Forest and Green Network (Strategic Policy 1). 2.3

Woodland Strategy Maps The basic information on the IFS diagram does not need updating as it has not changed since it was produced in the early 90s. The ability of certain areas to sustain woodland and the sensitivity of others remains constant. Therefore the IFS diagram that is shown in the 2005 Structure Plan review is unchanged from that in the 2000 Structure Plan. However, to make the IFS a more pro active tool the woodland opportunities mentioned above have been added to the IFS diagram. This new, more pro active approach has been called the Woodland Strategy (WS). Due to the amount of information that needs to be included on the WS it is displayed on several different maps. The first two concentrate on community and productive woodland, the other on riparian, ancient woodland and farm forestry, but both at a scale that shows the opportunities across the whole of the GCV Area. Both are set on a base of the sensitive and existing areas from the IFS in the 2000 Structure Plan. These two maps are shown below as Maps 2 (a) and (b). The main aim of the Woodland Strategy is build on the issues identified in the IFS and give a more detailed steer to assist in future investment, management and planting in the Metropolitan Area.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Map 2(a) Woodland Strategy: Urban Fringe Planting Opportunities

This includes urban woodland which has often been overlooked in previous forest documents and programmes. The benefits of planting woodland in urban areas or the urban fringe are well documented and Section 3.2 highlights a number of Structure Plan objectives that can be met by focusing on the urban area. To give a clearer picture of the urban woodland opportunities two further maps have been produced as part of the Woodland Strategy that take a closer look at the Metropolitan Area and show areas that would be suitable for Riparian, Native/Ancient and urban Fringe Woodland. These are shown as Maps 3 (a) and (b) below. As with any policy, the key to the success of the Woodland Strategy is to successfully translate the opportunities identified on these maps into reality on the ground. Appendix A of this document highlights a number of methods and actions through which this goal can be realised.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Map 2(b) Riparian and Ancient Woodland Planting Opportunities

This product includes mapping data licenced from Ordnance Survey with the permission of HMSO © Crown Copyright and / database right 2005 All rights reserved Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan Committee 100032510 © Forestry Commission Crown Copyright All rights reserved 2005 © Scottish Natural Heritage Crown Copyright All rights reserved 2005

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Map 3(a) Metropolitan Opportunities for Urban and Urban Fringe Woodland

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Map 3(b) Metropolitan Priorities for Riparian and Ancient Woodland

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

2.4

Priority Areas for Strategic Action In recent years the wider benefits of woodland planting are beginning to be realised and its impact on health, reducing dereliction, enhancing the quality of life of communities and providing a greenspace resource are being increasingly promoted. There are many areas in Glasgow and the Clyde Valley that suffer from the issues of poor quality environments, dereliction and social deprivation where woodland planting could make positive impact. Unfortunately in many of these areas the actions and opportunities shown on Map 2 would not apply or be relevant to tackling the issues that they face. Also there are a number of areas where urban expansion is taking place and new communities are being created. It is vital that these areas are provided with a good level of greenspace and woodland planting to ensure that these new communities have access to a high quality environment. It is clear that there is a need to focus woodland planting into the areas that display the characteristics mentioned above. However, to spread the resources available across the whole of the GCV area would be unlikely to result in the levels of action that are needed to deliver the strategic vision and to tackle the issues that some of these areas face. It has therefore been decided to identify a series of priority areas where new planting would have the biggest impact on the quality of life, image, reduction in derelict land and greenspace provision. Key areas have been identified that require this special attention and are listed below along with the reasons for their selection: The areas are shown on Map 4. The general actions that are required in each are highlighted alongside a reference to the relevant sections in Appendix A of this document. The areas are as follows: Clyde Waterfront and Gateway This is the main riparian corridor that traverses the city and carries on out into the surrounding countryside to Inverclyde. It is important for both the human and natural environment. It provides important recreational, access and biodiversity elements of the Green Network. The River Clyde forms the focus of the city and with the redevelopment activity that is currently taking place along its urban course there is both a need and an opportunity to implement a green corridor through the heart of the City. Since the decline in the shipping, docks and heavy industry both the Waterfront and the Clyde Gateway have suffered from a great deal of dereliction. The greening of this area can only help in its regeneration and create a resource for the whole of the conurbation. Action Required: See Appendix A Section 2.0, Section 3.0 and Section 4.0 Ravenscraig Following the closure of the steel works on this site the area has lain derelict. There are now plans to revitalise the whole area through the creation of a new community. It is vital that the provision of greenspace and woodland are an integral part of this proposal. Action Required: Develop action programme that is compatible and compliments the actions of the Central Scotland Forest Trust. Also see Appendix A Section 2.0, Section 3.0 and Section 7.0 Gartcosh/Gartloch and Bishopton These areas have suffered dereliction from the closure a large steel mill and the ROF plant. It is important that the areas are enhanced. Urban expansion is being considered in these areas. Action Required: See Appendix A Section 2.0 and Section 3.0

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Map 4 Priority Locations for Woodland Planting

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

APPENDIX A DEVELOPMENT OF PRIORITIES FOR STRATEGIC ACTION 1.0

OVERARCHING THEMES The rest of this document goes through each of the categories identified in the IFS and the Woodland Strategy Maps 2 and 3, and identifies priorities and a series of action points for each. It also sets the context for the actions that are required to tackle the four Key Strategic Priorities identified in Section 2.4. It gives guidance as to the sort of actions that will need to be taken in the four priority areas that are mentioned in the previous chapter. In some sections, e.g. Urban Forestry, the section has been subdivided to explore in more detail the different urban issues where forestry can make a difference. These actions represent what is needed to realise the vision for the GCV area highlighted at the beginning of the Structure Plan and developed through the principle of the Green Network and other environmental policies. Although some of these actions represent new initiatives it is also important to acknowledge that there is existing work and delivery structures at a local level that can assist in the delivery of many of the action points highlighted in this document. There are also a range of principles that need to be adopted to ensure that the implementation is made as easy as possible. Action needs to be carried out in such a way that creates a sense of ownership within communities and an agreed management strategy needs to be in place to ensure its continued maintenance and function. The following three principles need to be taken into account when implementing all of the actions listed in the following sections: 1 Community Involvement Some of the main problems with implementing new woodland in urban areas is the threat of vandalism or misuse e.g. fly tipping, or that the areas will be ignored by the very people who they were supposedly created for. It is important that new woodland and greenspace is devised and implemented in a manner that gives communities a sense of ownership of the resource and its use. Therefore it is vital that new schemes are developed in consultation with local communities as neighbours and potential users. 2 Management Issues Establishing woodland is a long term activity due to the time it takes for trees to mature and deliver their full benefits. Therefore a long term approach to their management is essential to ensure they fulfil the function they were originally planted. Lack of a long term management strategy may also lead to areas getting overgrown and reducing access resulting in them becoming uninviting for people to use. A long term management commitment will demonstrate to local people the value of these woodlands and will provide opportunities for their direct involvement in their management. 3 Utilisation of Existing Structures Documents like the IFS, WS and the Green Network diagram are devised to give a strategic framework and identify the major priorities for forestry and greening in the GCV area. They identify the main issues that need to be addressed across the area and give a degree of continuity and context for the implementation of actions on the ground. These strategic documents are also a lever for attracting additional resources. However, apart from some large scale schemes that may require individual working groups or specific initiatives much of the implementation will be done at a local level. There are a large range of initiatives implementing a range of projects aimed at addressing many of the issues raised in this document. It is hoped to add value and expand the impact of the current work with increased funding attracted by the development of the Green Network and WS policy documents. Even where an existing project is not ideally placed to take on extra duties there will often be the opportunity for it to be restructured or expanded to accommodate these additional tasks. New bodies and delivery mechanisms should only be considered if there is no implementation structure addressing the issue in question, or if the existing structures do not have the capacity to implement projects due to their scale or complexity.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

2.0

RELATIONSHIP TO AND PROMOTION OF GREEN NETWORK Context One of the key aims of the Woodland Framework is to assist in the implementation of the Green Network. Map 1, above shows the Green Network diagram in the 2005 Structure Plan Alteration. Each of the areas identified by a number on the diagram has an associated set of actions attached to it. These are set out in background guidance to the Structure Plan and identify three aspects for each of the areas: • The characteristics of the area; • The existing greenspace projects that are contributing to enhancing the area; • Actions that would be most beneficial in each area. These are focussed around the improvement or management of Greenspace for the benefit of both the natural and human environment. Where possible, actions identified in the Woodland Strategy should be targeted at helping to implement this network. Action The Green Network is only a strategic framework and although its attached schedules do identify a series of preferred actions, implementation of these and ultimately the Network itself will come through a wide variety of programmes including woodland creation, open space strategies, strategic greening partnerships and access strategies. To assist in the creation of the Network it is important that these documents and strategies give priority to proposals that will help to link up or create new areas of woodland in the areas identified in the Green Network diagram. Target areas Any of the numbered areas on the Green Network diagram. From the other diagrams in this technical report it can be seen which type of woodland planting could be implemented in each Green Network area to aid its implementation. Method The ways in which woodland can help create the Green Network Vision are shown in the following sections. All the categories shown on Maps 2(a) and 2(b) have the potential to help implement the Green Network. The following sections highlight the actions that would be appropriate in each type of location both within the Green Network and the wider GCV area.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

3.0

URBAN AND URBAN FRINGE FORESTRY

Map 5 Urban and Urban Fringe Planting Opportunities

3.1

Local Context New building work presents key opportunities for associated woodland and tree planting. In particular the need for new housing, as well as commercial and industrial buildings, will create opportunities to plant associated woodland through utilising the Local Authority planning system. (There is also the accompanying risk that these opportunities will not be fully utilised). The Structure Plan and the Local Plans of the eight GCV Local Authorities all identify the need to build new homes over the next ten to twenty years. This is in order to meet changing demographic trends, which includes a rise in the number of households. Much of this demand for new housing will be met through brownfield redevelopment but there will also be some greenfield development. Both types of development will usually be within, or adjacent to, existing settlements. There is also likely to be some building of what amounts to new settlements or large scale urban expansions, for example at Ravenscraig, Gartloch and Bishopton. Action Through the creation and enhancement of woodland and linear tree features, as well as planting single trees, improve the environment of built-up areas and new development. This will be vital for the development of the Structure Plan s Green Network and Community Forest and ensuring their integration into areas of existing and new development.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

Target Areas • Urban • Urban Fringe Method New development only: By focusing woodland planting on areas identified in the Green Network. • Create high quality new woodlands in and around proposed new built development, connecting them with the surrounding countryside and existing urban greenspace to help create a Metropolitan Green Network. • Encourage structural tree planting in advance of new development. • Utilise the Local Authority planning system including development plans and planning agreements to facilitate the creation and, where appropriate, maintenance of new woodlands in association with new development. • Record woodland gained and lost through built development each year to monitor progress in woodland creation. This will be done by the Structure Plan Team with the assistance of the eight GCV local authorities. New development and existing built-up areas: • Utilise open space and land management strategies to co-ordinate the enhancement and maintenance of urban and urban fringe greenspace by the planting of woodland and trees. • Utilise the Local Authority planning system, including development plans, to protect and, where possible, improve existing urban and urban fringe woodland and trees (possibly including the use of commuted sums). • Encourage local businesses to contribute to woodland and tree planting for environmental improvement initiatives. • On industrial and commercial land, encourage woodland and tree planting on derelict, vacant and unused areas and margins, and tree planting e.g. in car parks and frontages. • In parks, schools and recreational open space, where appropriate, plant new blocks of woodland e.g. in amenity grassland areas or on embankments. • Plant lines of trees and individual trees of suitable species on appropriate streets and other types of public ground including gardens, and encourage local people to plant trees in private gardens and allotment areas.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

3.2

Vacant and Derelict Land, Mineral Extraction and Landfill Sites Local Context There is a large proportion of vacant and derelict land within the GCV area. In 2004 there was 4,804 ha of vacant and derelict land which represents 47% of the Scottish total. The highest concentrations being found within Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and to a lesser extent South Lanarkshire (see Table 1). Table 1 Vacant and Derelict Land 2004 Local Authority

Rural Derelict Land (inc minerals sites)

Urban Vacant and Derelict Land

Total Vacant and Derelict Land

Area (ha)

Number of sites

Area (ha)

Number of sites

Area (ha)

Number of sites

East Dunbartonshire

115

121

East Renfrewshire

Glasgow City

1,315

861

1,315

861

Inverclyde

142

133

142

133

North Lanarkshire

106

1,215

337

1,321

692

Renfrewshire

738

287

185

1,025

188

South Lanarkshire

229

375

212

604

251

West Renfrewshire Total

220

121

220

121

1,079

3,725

1,931

4,804

2,030

Source: Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 2004

Action Through the creation and enhancement of woodland and other structural tree planting, improve derelict and vacant land, mineral extraction and landfill sites. Several of the priorities mentioned earlier in this document have been chosen due to them containing concentrations of derelict land. Focusing on these areas and directing increased resources to them will hopefully lead to more tree planting on derelict sites. Target Areas Mainly urban areas and the metropolitan fringe with a concentration of sites to the east and north of Glasgow City. Method Mineral Extraction and Landfill Sites Adopt policies in development plans and strategies for the planting of woodland • in advance of and adjacent to new mineral extraction and landfill sites; • to reduce the impact of existing mineral extraction and landfill sites; and • as a method of restoring sites, either as the final restored land use or in conjunction with other uses appropriate to the location and its restoration objectives.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

Vacant and Derelict Land Review designations given to derelict land, especially those sites which have been vacant for over ten years. Even in the short term there may be more scope for greening. • Create woodland on derelict and vacant sites, giving high priority to restoration of sites near disadvantaged and social deprived areas. • Adopt policies in development plans and strategies to encourage woodland planting as a way of bringing vacant and derelict land back into use, either as the key restored land use or in conjunction with other uses appropriate to the location and its habitat objectives. • Where appropriate, encourage the adoption of sacrificial planting of trees or woodland on unused sites. The site will be improved by tree planting, with the recognition that some trees may have to be felled at some future date to make way for new development. • Assess and take account of the existing natural heritage value of derelict and abandoned land when planning woodland restoration or other re-use. Where possible or required, incorporate species and features of interest into new plans for the site. • Consider the trial or demonstration planting of short rotation coppice wood fuel crops as a temporary land use on appropriate derelict sites or parts of such sites, after assessing the possibility of alternative types of woodland or greenspace creation, the site s existing natural heritage value, and other possible re-development of the site.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

3.3

Enhancement of Transport Corridors Action Through the creation and enhancement of woodland, linear tree features, and planting of individual trees, improve the landscape alongside, and visible from, important transport routes. Local Context The GCV area includes the largest city in Scotland and a number of major towns. As a consequence, it has a high concentration of busy major road and rail links and the many people who live and work in or pass through the area form their impressions of the area from the experience of travelling along these transport links. This makes enhancement of the landscape alongside, and areas visible from, roads and railways particularly important, including the improvement of derelict and vacant sites. It also provides opportunities to implement transport corridor woodland and tree planting in conjunction with route upgrading work. Improvements should apply to both longer distance and local routes in urban, urban fringe and rural locations, the priorities for action being a high level of existing or potential use of the route and/or a major need for landscape enhancement. Transport routes also include canals: the Forth and Clyde and Union Canals are a focus for recreation and tourism and the experience of using the canal route both by boat and from adjacent paths is being enhanced by new woodland and tree planting (for example to improve or screen industrial sites or new developments). For a map of transport corridors see Map 13. Method â&#x20AC;˘ Plant new, and manage existing, site-appropriate woodland and trees on sites alongside and visible from important transport routes. Take action first at locations where positive visual impact (including screening) will be maximised, while also ensuring that good views are retained. â&#x20AC;˘ Restore, maintain and, where appropriate, create new linear woodland features at sites visible from key transport routes.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

3.4

Woodland Opportunities and Wind Farms Action Create and enhance woodland in association with wind farm development. Method • Promote and implement Local Authority Planning mechanisms in association with wind farm development, for example, compensatory new woodland creation for any area of existing conifer timber plantation required to be felled, or a compensatory payment to ensure this happens. • Utilise the opportunity presented by compensatory woodland planting and restructuring in association with wind farms to create an appropriate mix of environmental and social, as well as economic benefits. For example, if restructuring of existing monoculture timber plantations is required, it may be appropriate to create new areas of more mixed, perhaps native woodland, and open ground habitats. • Follow best practice on avoiding damage to important species and habitats when creating woodlands associated with wind farms. The WS and LCA will help to provide the context for new areas of planting.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

4.0

ANCIENT AND NATIVE WOODLAND AND TREES

Map 6 Ancient and Native Woodland Planting Opportunities

Local Context Given that the use of native tree species should be integrated with woodlands of various functions, there are opportunities for planting, re-planting or regenerating areas of woodland with native tree species at sites throughout the GCV area. However, existing ancient or long-established native or semi-natural woods, which are the priority type of woodland from which to extend Forest Habitat Networks, are concentrated in certain areas. The larger native woods are clustered around the river valleys of the Clyde, Leven, Avon, and Calders and in the Campsie/Kilsyth foothills. In general, a large proportion of native woods occur close to rivers and burns, where steep gradients have made cultivation and grazing difficult. All Local Authorities in the GCV area have Woodland Habitat Action Plans which aim to expand and link existing fragments of native woodland.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

Map 7 Existing Natural and Semi-Natural Woodland

Action Expand the area of native woodland, where possible by developing Forest Habitat Networks. Important to ensure appropriate management of native woodland and wildlife/riparian corridors is carried out and any new planting uses suitable native species. Elsewhere native woodland should be used to enhance the biodiversity of the area. Target Areas Native Woodland Zone. The Native Woodland priority zones are based on mapping a zone 300m around the Existing and past mapped sites of Ancient and Semi-Natural Woodland . Much of the opportunities exist in the middle Clyde Valley and there is a close correlation between Ancient Woodland opportunities and Riparian Areas. There are also some opportunities in the Sensitive Areas.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Method • Expand existing ancient/semi-natural woodlands using native trees, where appropriate by natural regeneration. • Promote, encourage and increase planting of native trees, either as the main element or as a component of new woodland planted for any of the purposes described in this Strategy, including as a substantial component associated with woodland which has timber production as a key objective. • Identify and create links between areas of native species woodland which will help to form Forest Habitat Networks, including creation of networks of native tree species in association with areas of woodlands planted primarily for timber. • Where possible, target identified areas of ancient/semi-natural woodland within other types of wood for native woodland restoration, where the present condition of the ancient/semi-natural woodland warrants this. Restore using natural regeneration where appropriate. A specific case of this is the restructuring of plantations of exotic tree species on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) towards partially or completely restoring areas of native woodland. • When planting native trees, use stock of local genetic provenance if available. • Encourage the production of native woodland stock of local provenance for planting, including the awareness and development of tree nurseries to produce this stock. • Manage existing areas of native woodland for a range of benefits, with sustainable woodland regeneration and biodiversity as key outcomes. • Where required, advise on, or implement, design and management for native woodlands which, in the long term, will achieve low maintenance costs without compromising benefits. • Establish systems to monitor the proportion of woodland created or re-planted using native species. Include systems to monitor the proportion of native species planted in association with new woodland planted primarily for timber. This will be done by the Structure Plan Core Team with assistance from the eight GCV Local Authorities and the Forestry Commission, who hold information on grant aided native woodland planting. • Encourage and undertake planting and regeneration of native ground flora and shrubs of local genetic provenance in association with native trees and woodland.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

5.0

RIPARIAN AND FLOODPLAIN WOODLAND AND TREES

Map 8 Riparian Planting Opportunities

Local Context The greatest number of riparian woodlands are clustered around the main river valleys of the Clyde, Leven, Avon, the Calders and in the burn valleys of the Campsie/Kilsyth foothills. These areas are often also characterised by having native woodland, ancient or semi natural ancient woodland. Many opportunities to extend native woodlands will, therefore, also be opportunities to extend riparian woodlands. There is also potential for a large degree of loch side planting.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Map 9 Rivers and Water Bodies in the GCV Area

Action Improve riparian and lochside biodiversity and landscape and improve water quality, by creating woodlands and planting trees on the banks of rivers, burns and lochs and on natural floodplains. Target Areas Riparian Woodland zones - 500m either side of major and medium sized rivers and canals. Areas of potential across whole of GCV area. In some urban areas riverside planting may be aimed at improving the urbanscape and may take a different form than other more rural areas. This is especially true along the banks of the Clyde as it passes through the centre of Glasgow. Details of the actions required in these areas can be found in the section on urban planting and the Priority Areas section. Method In consultation with key stakeholders, using best practice, and taking full account of sites of natural heritage importance or interest, LBAPs and river sub-basin management plans: encourage and implement the carefully designed creation of riparian and lochside woodlands and trees.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

6.0

FARMED LANDSCAPE

Map 10 Farmed Landscape Opportunities

Local Context To date, farm woodland creation has been more prevalent on the poorer quality agricultural land in the Slammanan Plateau and less prevalent in the Lowland Farmland and Urban Fringe, which are in many cases of a higher agricultural quality. In addition to the higher agricultural value of the lowland areas, in many localities the hope value of this type of land for future housing or road development also hinders woodland creation. Hope value for mineral development is also a factor in both lowland and upland areas. The effect which the reformed Common Agricultural Policy, Land Management Contracts and the new Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme Farmland Premium will have on the geographical distribution of new woodland is not yet clear. However, these changes have the potential to encourage small farm woodland creation and tree planting as part of viable farms which continue to grow or rear high quality agricultural produce. Action While much of the woodland creation within the GCV area has been on ground which was previously used for farming, the term farm woodland is used here to define woodland which is closely associated with a working farm. Improve farm landscapes as proposed in the LCA and biodiversity by promoting, planting and managing farm woodlands, shelterbelts and field-border trees.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Target Areas • Urban Fringe • Lowland Farmland • Central Uplands There are large degrees of opportunity for planting that will help repair the woodland aspects of the famed landscape. Only general areas have been identified in the strategy, based on the Preferred and Potential areas in the IFS. As such they are the same areas that could potentially accommodate Productive Forestry (see Section 5.0). The merits of individual proposals will need to be assessed on a case by case basis, based on the area description in the LCA. Method • Promote and implement planting of new farm woodlands and trees, including shelterbelts and field-border trees, on sites where maximum benefit including landscape enhancement will be achieved. • Promote and implement management of existing farm woodlands, shelterbelts and fieldborder trees. • Promote, utilise and, if possible, facilitate the use of Agri-Environmental Schemes and Land Management Contracts for the creation, extension and management of a network of farm woodlands, which include open ground habitats where appropriate. Promote and, if possible, facilitate the development of farm management plans which include action for woodland and trees as integral parts of farm business planning.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

7.0

PRODUCTIVE WOODLAND

7.1

Productive Planting

Map 11 Productive Woodland Planting Opportunities

Local Context Opportunities for planting new larger-scale woodland with timber production as a key aim will arise mainly in the Southern Uplands. In the moorland and upland areas it is likely to become more difficult to find large scale sites because of the extent of existing planting, combined with the accepted need to conserve valuable habitats. This is particularly the case in areas which contain blanket bogs and peatlands. These areas form important habitats for species like bean geese and are therefore in need of greater protection from unsuitable forestry developments. In terms of action to restructure existing monocultural plantations, Forestry Commission Scotland and other stakeholders have begun this process. Existing woodlands are shown in Maps 14 and 15.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Map 12 Existing Woodland

Action In appropriate areas look for opportunities for well-designed woodland which has timber production as one of its key objectives. Target Areas • Urban Fringe • Lowland Farmland • Central Uplands

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

Method • In appropriate areas (See methodology used for IFS preparation) continue to plant woodlands which have timber and/or biomass production as a key objective (i.e. productive woodlands) together with a range of other social, economic and environmental benefits. • Plant and promote the planting of mixtures of tree species which enhance the landscape, recreational and biodiversity value of new productive) woodland. This should include: • the planting or regeneration of native species; • a wider mix of species and age ranges of non-native timber producing trees; • the planting of broadleaves for timber where appropriate; and • the inclusion of open spaces in the woodland structure. • Tailor financial incentives and Forest Design Plans for new productive woodland towards encouraging these objectives. • Restructure mono-cultural productive plantations which are ready for felling to include similar mixtures of species, ages and open spaces. Encourage use of long-term Forest Design Plans as a basis for felling approval, to assist with the restructuring of existing productive plantations to improve their landscape, biodiversity and recreational value. • Where possible, adopt best practice silviculture in forest areas designed with timber production as an aim, in order to produce a high quality, high value future crop. • Consider the planting of wood fuel crops on derelict sites. (For additional information on woodland management see Section 8.0)

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

7.2

Forestry and Woodland Industries

Map 13 Transport Infrastructure and Timber Industry

Local Context The GCV area has an extensive network of major road and rail links, so that transport of harvested timber and delivery of timber and wood products to markets presents little difficulty compared with some of the more remote areas of Scotland. There are currently six main sawmill/timber yards, one main paper mill and one maker of timber products inside the GCV boundary. The latter is a broad category including producers of timber fencing, furniture and musical instruments. In addition, as elsewhere in the UK, most of the larger towns have large DIY chain-stores which stock a range of timber products. Action Secure and protect existing forestry sector sites within GCV and work with the Forest Industry and councils to identify appropriate sites for further forestry sector development. Method • Support and secure existing forestry sector sites through liaison with councils and the Central Scotland Forest Industries Cluster. • Survey and review industrial locations and identify appropriate sites for future forestry sector development.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

7.3

Biomass and Other Renewable Energy Planting Local Context The Renewable Obligation Scotland (ROS) obliges all licensed electricity suppliers to provide an increasing proportion of their electricity sales from eligible renewable sources. There are four main sources of biomass: • Energy Crops short rotation coppicing of willow or poplar • Timber and Forestry Co-products • Agricultural Waste • Other Wastes i.e. sewage, sludge and municipal solid waste Dry fuels tend to be combusted while the wet fuels are often treated to produce gas that is burnt for energy. Dry fuels can also be used in co-firing which involves combining the biomass with traditional fuels for burning. Such a scheme can be used to meet the requirements of the ROS although there are conditions on the percentage of material burnt that is biomass for it to comply. In addition to producing electricity biomass crops and forestry co-products have the potential to meet some of the increasing demand for heat energy whether in individual buildings or through district heating schemes. The development of biomass in the GCV area has the potential to help meet renewable obligations while improving economic activity in the countryside, improving areas of often derelict land and generally contributing to sustainable development. Currently there has been little development of biomass sites in the GCV area. This is not through lack of opportunity as there is ample land, especially derelict sites to the east of the conurbation that could provide potential for biomass activities in the short or long term. Action To identify sites and promote the development of biomass related industries in the GCV area. Method • Carrying out of surveys in conjunction with local landowners to identify areas of search for potential biomass operations. • Assessment of derelict land sites by local authorities to ascertain the possibility for developing biomass producing crops in the short and long term. (See also Appendix A Section 3.2 on the planting of derelict land.) • Discussions with renewables industry and the Scottish Woodfuel Development Programme to ascertain scope for biomass energy potential and its development needs.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

8.0

GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF WOODLAND AND TREES Management methods specific to particular types of woodland are also listed under the other Woodland Strategy headings. Local Context The following two maps indicate the existing areas of woodland. Although all woodlands will require some degree of management the exact requirements will vary according to the location, age and type of the woodland.

Map 14 Existing Woodland Types/Management Options

Action Sustainably manage woodland and trees in order to maximise a range of continuing benefits from new investment and existing sites.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

Method • Encourage, advise on, and implement the appropriate type and level of management of all types of woodland and linear tree features for a range of environmental, social and economic benefits suitable to the site. • Encourage and facilitate the preparation of woodland management plans covering all of the important elements of management planning including new planting. Where required include an appropriate cutting regime for open ground herbage and grass paths. • Carry out maintenance work to ensure the successful establishment of young woodlands, and continue to implement management of mature woodland. • Encourage and facilitate woodland owners and managers in bringing neglected and previously under managed woodlands back into positive and sustainable management. • Encourage and facilitate community participation in woodland and tree management. • Identify new sources of finance to facilitate long-term woodland and tree management. • Encourage local businesses to contribute financially to local woodland and tree maintenance. • Maintain functional structural elements of the woodland landscape including fences and gates. Where appropriate, encourage and implement the creation and maintenance of hedges and dry-stone dykes associated with woodlands. • Adopt best practice in management, including deer control, to prevent or reduce damage to woodlands by wild animals. • Investigate and encourage improved mechanisms for discouraging illegal dumping in woodlands and ensuring quick removal of dumped rubbish and litter. • Encourage public and private landowners to consider making arrangements with specialist companies or organisations for the long term maintenance and management of woodland and trees to deliver the full range of benefits. See beginning of Appendix A for overarching issues that should be considered when developing management plans and why the plans themselves are so important.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

9.0

DESIGNED WOODLAND LANDSCAPE HERITAGE Local Context There are many long-established estate policy woodlands and trees throughout the area. Thirteen of the most prominent sites appear on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes supplied by SNH, and are shown on Map 15 below. Planning procedures require planning authorities to consult with SNH and Historic Scotland on any developments within listed sites. Both Inventory and the numerous Non-Inventory sites make a key contribution to the character and quality of landscapes, and many Non-Inventory sites have been identified by The Garden History Society. The level of maintenance of the woodlands and trees of these estate and policy woodlands over the past decades has varied widely, with many previously neglected. Their future management is an important aim of the WS.

Map 15 Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes

This product includes mapping data licenced from Ordnance Survey with the permission of HMSO © Crown Copyright and / database right 2005 All rights reserved Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan Committee 100032510 © Scottish Natural Heritage Crown Copyright All rights reserved 2005

Action Conserve and maintain valuable designed woodland landscape heritage.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix A

Method • When planning, planting or managing woodland or greenspace, conserve and maintain valuable designed landscapes and conserve valuable built structures, archaeological and geological features. Use forestry best practice guidelines in this respect. • Where possible manage, re-plant or regenerate neglected former country estate woodlands and trees, prioritising projects according to the extent of the desired GCV Forestry and Woodland Framework outcomes which will be achieved. • Take account of the historic landscape design of former country estate woodlands when planning forestry on these sites. Consider the option of reinstating historic features of the design, or planting in the style of the historic design, where this would benefit desired Forest outcomes. • At locations where exotic tree species are in keeping with the historic design of a former country estate landscape, consider the option of selectively replanting exotic species at suitable locations. Undertake such planting where this would add to or re-instate the attractiveness of the historic landscape design, without compromising desired biodiversity outcomes.

Appendix A

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

APPENDIX B TECHNICAL CONTEXT FOR THE UPDATED FORESTRY AND WOODLAND FRAMEWORK 1.0

The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Area Additional context information for specific types of woodland and woodland management is provided under the Woodland Strategy heading below.

Map 16 The Glasgow and Clyde Valley Area

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix B

2.0

Land Capability for Forestry

Map 17 Land Capability for Forestry

Appendix B

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

The Macaulay Institute Land Capability for Forestry (LCF) definitions Selected key LCF categories in the GCV area are explained in edited format below. It should be noted that these definitions refer primarily to land capability for forestry for timber, rather than landscape, biodiversity, recreation or other functions which are also desirable in many GCV woodlands. LCF 2 Land with very good/excellent flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops: Both broadleaved and coniferous species may be planted but choice is more restricted than in class LCF 1. LCF 3 Land with good flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops: Wind throw risk is not high and land management is primarily concerned with limitations imposed by drainage, sloping land or patterns of variable soils. The land is suitable for a wide range of conifers and for a restricted range of broadleaved species. LCF 4 Land with moderate flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops: There is a risk of small areas of windthrow which should not be sufficiently severe to reduce rotation lengths or influence management practices. The land is suitable for many coniferous species and in places for the less demanding broadleaves. LCF 5 - Land with limited/very limited flexibility for the growth and management of tree crops: Sites where the risk of windthrow affects management by modifying the thinning practice, fall within this class. In the uplands, species choice is limited to conifers, such as spruces, larches and pines, and to birch, alder or other hardy broadleaves. Local Context Comparison of the pattern of new planting since the 1995 IFS Strategy in relation to Land Capability for Forestry (LCF) shows that the largest areas of new planting have taken place on land of LCF Classes 4 and 3. A very small area of new planting has taken place on land of LCF grade 2 or better. This alters the trend that, prior to 1995, saw planting often taking place on grade 5 areas. Thus many of the existing larger areas of woodland in the GCV area on the poorer, LCF grade 5 and 4 land correspond to the range of species which grow well on this quality of land, described in the LCF definitions above. Historically, within this range, timber-producing conifer species have been planted predominantly, producing large, relatively uniform forests. The landscape, recreational and biodiversity value of these woodlands is already being improved by new planting using a wider variety of species from the range which grow well in this type of soil, and this process will continue.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix B

3.0

Agriculture

3.1

Land Capability for Agriculture

Map 18 Land Capability for Agriculture

Appendix B

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

The Macaulay Institute Land Capability for Agriculture definitions The following are selected key LCF categories in the GCV area, explained in edited format. Land Suited to Arable Cropping Class 2: Land Capable of Producing a Wide Range of Crops Cropping is very flexible and a wide range of crops can be grown but the land may be unsuited to winter harvested crops. (There is none of this class in the GCV area). Class 3: and Capable of Producing a Moderate Range of Crops Land in this class is capable of producing good yields of a narrow range of crops, principally cereals and grass, and/or moderate yields of a wider range including potatoes, some vegetable crops and oil seed rape. Class 4: Land Capable of Producing a Narrow Range of Crops The land is suitable for enterprises based primarily on grassland with short arable breaks (e.g. barley, oats, forage crops). Land Suited Only to Improved Grassland and Rough Grazings Class 5: Land Capable of Use as Improved Grassland The agricultural use of land in Class 5 is restricted to grass production but such land frequently plays an important role in the economy of British hill lands. Class 6: Land Capable of Use Only as Rough Grazings The land has very severe site, soil or wetness limitations which generally prevent the use of tractoroperated machinery for improvement. Local Context Agricultural land quality has been a key influence on where the larger areas of woodland have been planted to date in the GCV area, in particular woodland designed with timber production as a key aim. This type of woodland has been planted mainly on land of MLURI LCA classes 4 and 5. Income per hectare from agriculture in these areas is less than on the higher classes of agricultural land. This does not diminish the past or future importance of new woodlands on land of better agricultural quality, where relatively small areas of woodland or tree-planting can produce many non-timber benefits. Much of the agricultural land in the Lowland areas is class 3 so that some of the smaller new woodlands in this zone and in the Urban Fringe zone have been, and will continue to be, created on this better class of agricultural land. However, small farm woodlands and linear tree features will also be encouraged on the poorer grades of agricultural land.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix B

3.2

Less Favoured Areas for Agriculture

Map 19 Less Favoured Areas for Agriculture

Local Context The majority of GCV area fell into the Severely Disadvantaged LFA category in the 2002 Agricultural census. Areas outside the LFA category were mainly around the Glasgow conurbation and along the centre of the Lower Clyde Valley. LFA status affects new woodland creation because the Scottish Forestry Grant Scheme / Farmland Premium (SFGS/FP) compensates farmers for agricultural income foregone through woodland creation, and grant rates therefore vary depending on the type of agricultural land planted. The payment rate per hectare per year is higher on better quality land, lower on LFA land, and lowest on unimproved land. However, the Forestry Commission has identified the increased provision of urban woodland as a national priority and under such umbrella are planning to bring in a form of Locational Premium for the metropolitan area. Other areas to the east of the GCV area are also eligible for Locational Premiums as they fall under the remit of the under the Central Scotland Forestry Trust.

Appendix B

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

3.3

Type of Agriculture

Map 20 Agricultural Opportunities

This product includes mapping data licenced from Ordnance Survey with the permission of HMSO © Crown Copyright and / database right 2005 All rights reserved Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan Committee 100032510 © The Macaulay Institute 2005 GCVJSPC User Licence No MI/2003/180

Local Context The majority of farms in the GCV area concentrate on Dairy and on Cattle and Sheep (mostly of Less Favoured Area status). This pattern of agricultural use will become of increasing relevance with the recent introduction of European Union Common Agricultural Policy (EU CAP) reform takes. Decoupling - the breaking of the link between food production and subsidy will permit farmers to respond more positively to market signals. In addition, a gradually increasing percentage of CAP money will be switched to general rural development, with a stronger emphasis on non-food agricultural production, environmental work and conservation. The market demand for the different types of agricultural produce is then likely to influence more strongly the decisions of farmers on whether to participate in woodland creation.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix B

4.0

Natural Heritage

Map 21 Natural Heritage Designated Sites

Local Context The GCV area contains a wide variety of habitats from the shoreline of the Clyde to the highest points in the Campsie Fells and the Southern Uplands. The area is ringed by a Regional Park (Clyde Muirshiel), National Park (Loch Lomond and Trossachs) a proposed Regional Park (Campsies) and an extensive Regional Scenic Area (Southern Uplands). In the centre the Clyde Valley Woodlands are part of an EU LIFE project to maintain their value for biodiversity. The mudflats in the Clyde are an internationally important site for migratory birds and the Slamannan Plateau is one of only two wintering grounds for Bean Geese in the UK. There are a large number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley area, as well as other local nature reserves, wildlife sites, and sites designated as Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. The Structure Plan, Local Plans and the Forestry and Woodland Framework aim to conserve and enhance woodland biodiversity and the biodiversity of other habitats. It is also aimed to ensure that new planting projects do not have any major negative effect on biodiversity. This involves taking full account of the value of existing woodland and open ground habitats and species, for which both the statutory and nonstatutory sites identified on Map 21 above are a useful starting point. In addition, the heritage value of undesignated sites which do not appear on Map 21 should also be fully considered as well as any revisions to the status of sites indicated on it.

Appendix B

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

5.0

Bogs and Peatland

Map 22 Bogs and Peatland in the GCV Area

This product includes mapping data licenced from Ordnance Survey with the permission of HMSO © Crown Copyright and / database right 2005 All rights reserved Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan Committee 100032510 © Scottish Natural Heritage Crown Copyright All rights reserved 2005

Local Context In July 2000 the Forestry Commission issued the Guideline Note Forests and Peatland Habitats (FCGN1). The guide stated the FC s conclusion that for conservation and wider environmental reasons there should be a strong presumption against further forestry expansion on the following peatland types: • Active raised bog and degraded raised bog capable of restoration to active status • Extensive areas (exceeding 25ha) of active blanket bog averaging 1m or more in depth or any associated peatland where afforestation could alter the hydrology of such areas The largest areas of raised, intermediate and blanket bog occur in the Plateau Moorland, Plateau Moorland with Forest and Southern Upland areas. Landscape Character Areas 18 a) and b), 20 a), b) and c) and 21. Many of these bog or peatland sites are also designated natural heritage sites, some of international importance, see Map 21. For this reason future planting will be limited in these Landscape Character Areas.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix B

6.0

Built Heritage

Map 23 Sites of Built Heritage Importance

This product includes mapping data licenced from Ordnance Survey with the permission of HMSO © Crown Copyright and / database right 2005 All rights reserved Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Joint Structure Plan Committee 100032510 © Historic Scotland Crown Copyright All rights reserved 2005

Local Context The scheduled ancient monuments mapped above represent some of the most significant built heritage in the GCV area, but there are in addition many other identified sites from prehistory and history, including many structures from the area s busy industrial past. Datasets available from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS) pinpoint the many sites of structures and finds from the area s past. The Forestry and Woodland Framework is committed to conserving and maintaining valuable built structures, archaeological and geological features and taking full account of them when planning, planting or maintaining woodland.

Appendix B

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

7.0

Landscape

7.1

Landscape Character Areas

Map 24 GCV Landscape Character Areas

Context Detailed descriptions of the character of Forest landscapes can be found in the 1998 Glasgow and Clyde Valley Landscape Character Assessment. Since 1995, Scottish Natural Heritage has produced a set of Scottish landscape character classifications which also describe the GCV area.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix B

7.2

Landscape Designations

Map 25 Landscape Designations

Context The GCV area is ringed by a number of areas of landscape importance that are designated in a variety of ways. To the north is the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, the Regional Scenic Area of the Kilpatrick Hills and the Campsie Hills which is proposed as a Regional Park. To the west is the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park and to the south there is a vast area of the Southern Uplands which is designated as a Regional Scenic Area. There are many other designations at the local level and as can be seen from the rest of this document the area also includes several landscapes of importance of a man-made design.

Appendix B

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

APPENDIX C METHODOLOGY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THE IFS AND THE WOODLAND STRATEGY Overview of Forestry and Woodland Framework Maps As mentioned in the introduction, the Forestry and Woodland Framework looks to move away from the traditional Productive Forestry focus of Woodland Policy and promote the wide range of benefits that woodland planting can bring. To tackle these urban and rural issues the Forestry and Woodland Framework includes several strategy maps beginning with the IFS which looks at the GCV area as a whole and gives broad guidance for forestry. This is followed by the Woodland Strategy which includes a number of maps focusing on both the whole GCV area and a more detailed look at the metropolitan area. Each map will show details of which areas can accommodate the different types of planting. By focusing on these categories it increases the linkage between these maps and the implementation of policy on the ground, as the categories used also correspond with the grants categories that are currently available from the Forestry Commission. The production of these maps and the highlighting of priority areas does not preclude activity in any unidentified areas. The aims of the maps is to highlight the type of Woodland activity that would be appropriate in all areas but also make the implementation process easier, more focussed and more transparent by highlighting areas where different types of proposals would be regarded favourably. The IFS Diagram for the GCV Area It is a requirement of Planning Guidance that Structure Plans prepare an IFS that gives general guidance to forestry for its area. This IFS Diagram already exists and is being retained unchanged in the 2005 Structure Plan Alteration. It highlights different areas and categorises them depending on their ability to accommodate forestry. Sensitive areas are those where planting would normally be inappropriate with new planting directed to those areas that are identified as having potential or are preferred. As mentioned the IFS diagram has not been altered in recent years. It is based on the desirability and actual ability for different areas to accommodate forestry and as such these are very static assessment outcomes. This diagram has only a very general guidance role and does not assist in directing most of the different types of planting that are discussed in Appendix A of this document. This is partly because it was developed in the late 1980s when the main planting was productive forestry. Clearly one of its main purposes is to continue to direct commercial planting to the most appropriate areas. Also it clearly has a more rural focus, with all urban areas being identified as being unsuitable for planting. There is clearly a need to produce additional maps that deal with issues like riparian, native and urban planting in the same manner as the IFS diagram does for commercial forestry. Map 2 The Woodland Strategy - More Detailed Planting Opportunities Map 2 still uses the IFS as a base. However it goes into more detail as to the types of planting that would be appropriate in different parts of the GCV area. It highlights areas suitable for riparian and native woodland planting that will assist the biodiversity of the area. There is also more emphasis on the enhancement of urban fringe landscapes and planting in the urban area to improve the quality of life for the local communities. The criteria used to identify the different areas of planting opportunity are shown below. Due to the scale of these maps and to make them easier to read the information has been divided into two separate maps, both using the same base but one concentrating on riparian and ancient woodland and the other on community issues.

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Appendix C

Map 3 The Metropolitan Woodland Strategy Map 3 still uses the same methodology as IFS as a base but focuses in on the metropolitan area. As with Map 2 it highlights riparian corridors and native woodland planting that will assist the biodiversity of the area. However, there is far more emphasis on the enhancement of urban fringe landscapes and planting in the urban area to improve the quality of life for the local communities. The map also highlights the priority locations that have been identified as being of particular need for woodland planting. They also represent areas where there are particular opportunities for planting due to issues like the availability of derelict land. For more information on why these areas have been chosen and the proposed actions in each see Section 2.4 of this document. Methodology for IFS Diagram, Maps 2 and 3 As mentioned above, the IFS Diagram has not been altered and continues in the same form as it has been in the Strathclyde Regional Plan, the 2000 Structure Plan and now the 2005 Structure Plan Alteration. The different areas on the diagram are based on issues such as topography, ground conditions and landscape features and whether forestry could be sustained or would be desirable in each. A common methodology has been devised that can be used for producing both Maps 2 and 3. The aim of the methodology is to identify a set of criteria and a process for identifying priority areas for each of the woodland categories mentioned above. The categories of woodland development that are being used are Urban Forestry, Riparian, Native Woodland, Farm Forestry/Farmed Landscape and Productive Forestry. For each of these planting types the following principles will be used: Urban Fringe Forestry - A 1km buffer will be placed round all the settlements in the GCV area. The purpose of this type of planting is to provide a recreational resource for the residents of the area and improve the urban setting by softening the urban edge and masking development. Urban Forestry - As well as improving the urban fringe there is also a need to bring woodland into the urban core. Strategic Policy 6 in the Structure Plan identifies communities that are in particular need of environmental improvement. These areas are identified on the maps as priorities where urban woodland actions would bring the biggest benefits. As with the rest of the Strategy this does not preclude activity elsewhere, it merely focuses attention to the areas where action is most needed. Riparian - These zones are within 500m of major and medium watercourses. The aim is to improve the quality of the water side environment for bio diversity and to encourage the development of river side greenspace that can be used as recreational routes by local residents. Native Woodland - Native Woodland target zones are based on areas within 300m of mapped sites of existing ancient or semi-natural woodland. These areas will often occur along Riparian corridors and this synergy will be identified on the map. Productive Forestry - Productive areas are taken from the information in the IFS and covers all the areas that it identifies as preferred or potential. The identification of these areas is based on a range of information including LCA area descriptions and land capability for forestry. Farmed Landscapes - All the areas highlighted in the IFS diagram as preferred or potential are highlighted as having the potential for enhancement through this type of action as farmland is widespread throughout the GCV area and much of the field structure has suffered decline through intensification in farming techniques. In practice the areas that are suitable for farmed landscape and productive woodland are all areas outside those that are identified as sensitive or that already have planting on them. The suitability of each proposal would have to be assessed against the details set out in the Landscape Character Assessment. This highlights the ability of each landscape type to accommodate the type of change that large scale planting would bring.

Appendix C

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Stages in Producing Maps 2 and 3 1 As a starting point the information from the IFS is used a base for the development of the more detailed Woodland Strategy Maps. The areas that are Sensitive to planting are first put on the map as a base. The areas that have existing planting on them are also added on both maps. Clearly these areas will not be suitable for planting as they are already wooded. However, in many of these areas there is a need for extensive management programmes to be implemented. More details of the context within which this should be tackled are shown in Section 8.0. 2 Of the remaining areas the potential and preferred areas in the IFS cover large parts of the remaining Structure Plan area much of which is either farmland or wilder, semi natural land. Within these areas there will be many opportunities for both planting on existing farmland and possibly new areas of productive forestry. In both these instances further assessment would be required to check the suitability of planting proposals. For display at the strategic level both the Potential and Preferred areas have been combined and represent the areas that could have potential for both Productive Planting and Farm Forestry improvements. As these areas are exactly the same and to avoid confusion they are shown as Â&#x2018;Other ForestryÂ&#x2019; on the Structure Plan diagrams. 3 Onto this the other categories (Riparian, Ancient Woodland and Urban Fringe Woodland) listed above are added. The following Summary table gives details as to the main areas where each of these categories applies. 4 Due to the large amount of information that needs to be displayed, the Woodland Strategy has been produced in several different maps. One diagram focuses on the opportunities for productive forestry and urban fringe woodland, the other concerns itself with ancient and riparian woodland opportunities. Together these maps make up Map 2 in this document and are also replicated in the 2005 Structure Plan Alteration. 5 Map 3 was devised in a similar way to Map 2 and is also divided into two parts. The main difference between the two is that it concentrates more closely on the metropolitan area. Onto this the priority areas were also added. These were devised using information from many sources including vacant and derelict land surveys, greenspace provision and future development locations. More information on this issue can be seen in Section 2.4 of this document. Table 2 Opportunities for Woodland Planting Types Type of Woodland

Woodland Strategy Target Zones (Landscape Character Areas)

Farmed Landscape

Potentially All. Depends on existing character of landscape and level of opportunity for woodland planting. See LCA for details of landscape capability Areas in the category are within a 1km buffer of settlements. Proposed woodland may also lie completely within urban or urban fringe zones.

Urban and urban fringe woodland (includes Woodland on vacant and derelict land, mineral extraction and landfill sites) New Native Woodland Riparian Woodland Well-designed productive woodland

Forestry industry and biomass potential areas Sensitive areas

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Forestry and Woodland Framework

Native Woodland target zones are based on areas within 300m of mapped sites of existing or past ancient or semi-natural woodland. Some fall within sensitive areas. Target riparian zones are as mapped and are within 500m of watercourses. Some of these riparian zones fall within sensitive areas. Potentially all outside sensitive and unsuitable areas. Depends on capability of landscape to accommodate large scale planting. See LCA for details of landscape capability Potentially all, depends on result of survey which has yet to be carried out. Main areas include: Clyde Muirshiel Park, Kilpartrick Hills, Campsies, Pentland Hills, Tinto area, Loch Lomond National Park. Also sensitive peatland areas.

Appendix C

Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan Joint Committee 10 Killermont Street, Glasgow G2 3NW 0141 331 2468 www.gcvcore.gov.uk

Forestry Commission Scotland

Central Scotland Conservancy Bothwell House, Hamilton Business Park, Caird Park, Hamilton ML3 0QA 01698 368530 www.forestry.gov.uk/scotland