What's Happening?

The Regional Land Use Framework (RLUF) has been developed under the Regional Land Use Partnership pilot, following a period of extensive stakeholder engagement in 2022/23. The pilot is being co-ordinated by South Of Scotland Enterprise in partnership with Dumfries & Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council, overseen by the Regional Economic Partnership.

What is the RLUF?
The RLUF sets out a concise vision and objectives for land use across the region, providing information on existing land uses (and the benefits they provide) and drivers for land use change. It recognises the urgency of joined up action to address the climate and biodiversity crises and identifies some of the priority changes in land use that are going to be needed. This could include significantly more native woodland creation; peatland restoration; renewable energy generation; and more efficient and environmentally friendly food production that helps restore nature. It also starts to explore where these priority land use changes might be best delivered, drawing on the best available data.

Why do we need an RLUF?
The South of Scotland is a large rural region with an extensive but fragile land-based economy including agriculture, forestry and tourism. As biodiversity loss and climate change impacts increase, so does the pressure on our natural capital assets - including our soils, water, habitats and wildlife. We need to take new approaches to the ways we use and manage our land, so the finite resources can deliver multiple benefits for our businesses, communities and visitors.  These benefits range from sustainable food and timber production and renewable energy generation to wider public benefits such as spaces for recreation, tourism, wildlife, carbon storage and clean water.

There has been welcome input from many stakeholders across the region, which has greatly helped in the development of the RLUF.

Invitation to comment
All organisations, communities and individuals are now invited to comment on the Consultation draft.  We ask that you respond via the consultation form which includes a set of questions and also provides space for any additional comments you may have.

The Consultation will run for a 12 week period from 1st December 2023 to 23rd February 2024.

A series of events to promote the Consultation are being held. Please book your place in advance using the relevant link:

• Monday 11th December 2023,  Inspire Centre, Tweedbank
• Tuesday 12th December 2023, Baptist Church, Dumfries
• Wednesday 17th January 2024, Volunteer Hall, Duns
• Monday 22nd January 2024, Vaults Art Centre, Newton Stewart

There will also be an online event on 31st January 2024.

Downloads

RLUF Summary Document (PDF) [767KB] (opens new window)

RLUF Consultation Draft (PDF) [3MB] (opens new window)

Following the consultation, feedback will be reviewed and a final version of the RLUF will be submitted to Scottish Ministers.  This will be made available on the pilot webpage: https://www.southofscotlandenterprise.com/RLUP

If you have any queries on the RLUF, please contact the RLUP Project Manager.