Scottish Landscape Forum - Feedback
1. Loss of designed landscapes in Scotland, in particular walled gardens.
2. Island repopulation forum.
3. Regarding the Mountain Areas Report 1990, there is still no mechanism for managing the Cheviot Foothills, which if it had not been for the Border would be incorporated within Northumberland National Park. Scottish Borders Council in their Structure Plan note that they would give future consideration to the Northumberland National Park being extended into the Scottish Borders. There is an existing cross-Border group for the Cheviot Hills and the Landscape Forum should support it, and, at the very least, be interested in its outcome.
4. Please consider a more bottom-up approach to biosphere reserves based on a policy which actively promotes interaction between the economic, ecological and socio-historical aspects of the landscape, taking a long-term view of ‘sustainable’, ‘integrating’ and ‘coordinating’ rather than compartmentalising funding projects. It would be great to have less theorising on what should be (strategy documents) and more concrete evidence of implementing high-minded theories.
5. I reckon it sounds like an absolutely ace idea!
6. Landscapes should be allowed to evolve spontaneously as any community considers its own needs. We do not need top down from Edinburgh telling us what we should and should not be doing.
7. Are Eco Villages part of the forum's remit?
Does the forum have any views on the establishment of Eco Villages in the Scottish landscape?
Response: The forum is not currently looking at landscapes at this level of detail: instead it is looking at the process of how we make decisions about the landscapes we want, how we raise awareness of landscape issues and how the planning system takes account of landscape.
8. I applaud the formation of this Forum with the specific purpose of
overseeing the care and preservation of Scottish landscapes. I am
concerned that local committees seem more concerned with ease of
maintanance than with preservation of habitat and diversity. In
consequence, instead of being managed, wild meadow, woodland and hedgerow
are being removed to make way for flattened, grassed lawn because it is "easier and cheaper" to care for. I think this is an issue that needs to
be aired.
9. I represent a local group promoting a more unified approach to access and
heritage in my area. The different local landscape designations do not
seem to be easily understood. I would like an explanation of what a
Regional Scenic Area is and what it should achieve. Also what designation
in the future would be appropriate. Part of the area is a Tourism
Development Area, how compatible is this with the RSA?
Ian Jarvis (Friends of Kelvin Valley Park)
View the response
10. Dear Scottish landscapes friend and keepper, first thanks for your work in the way to conserve the great diversity, but in my opinion (as foreign, I`m a Spaniard) the best way to conserve and preserve the real and ancient Scottish landscapes, is not to interfere with the natural way of wild life, and try to preserve the natural environment and show and offer activities to the people that do not damage your great natural heritage. Leave the wild life – go on and enjoy it!