Ministear airson Riaghaltaslonadail agus Dealbhadh Minister for Local Government and Planning

Aileen Chaimbeul SPA Aileen Campbell MSP

FIT:0845 7741741
E: scottish.ministers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

The Scottish Government

Riaghaltas na h-Alba

Ms Kezia Dugdale MSP The Scottish Parliament EDINBURGH EH991SP

Ur faidhlelYour ref: GC-28LQ9/1:L Ar faidhle/Our ref: 2011/1019765

31 October 2011

Thank you for your letter of 28th September 2011 about protection for wild land in the planning system. As you will know, the Scottish Government has recognised the importance and sensitivity of Scotland's wilder landscapes in its planning policy. Both the National Planning Framework and Scottish Planning Policy note that these are the most sensitive landscapes and may have little or no capacity for new development. Planning authorities are tasked with taking great care to safeguard their character. It may be helpful to point out that Scotland's 40 National Scenic Areas (NSAs) give statutory protection to our most outstanding landscapes and include a significant amount - though not all - of our wildest land. We have recently consolidated the NSA designation by formally designating these under new statutory provisions, thereby requiring planning authorities to give special attention to safeguarding or enhancing their character or appearance. There are also certain restrictions on permitted development within NSAs. Currently both our National Park Authorities are in the process of assessing their wild land resource which will inform future work on their National Park Plans. For example, you may be interested in the Supplementary Planning Guidance on wildness which the Cairngorms National Park Authority has produced for its Local Plan - see at http://www.cairng orms. co. ukip ark-authority/plan ning/loca I-pIan

Cidhe Shictbria. Dun Eideann. EH6 6QQ Victoria Quay. Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.scotland.gov.uk

r..."VH.'iTOR L'Ii PEOPLE

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) published its policy on wildness in Scotland's countryside in 2002 (see web link below). The SNH policy states that "there are parts of Scotland where the wild character of the landscape, its related recreational value and potential for nature are such that these areas should be safeguarded against inappropriate development or land-use change." SNH is currently undertaking a project to map Scotland's wildest areas to replace their Search Areas of Wild Land contained in this policy statement. When completed this work will inform the further development of the policy and may also inform the preparation of local authority development plans. SNH will inform the Scottish Parliament's Petitions Committee - which is currently considering the John Muir Trust's petition on a wild land designation - when this work is complete. However, at this time we do not consider that a new and separate environmental designation for wild land is appropriate. http://www.snh.gov.ukldocs/A150654.pdf I hope that the above information is helpful.

AILEEN CAMPBELL

Cidhe Bhictoria, Dun Eideann, EH6 6QQ Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ www.scotland.gov.uk

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