Central Scotland has around 3 million people - around 60% of Scotland’s total population - living within the area.
The region’s woodland resource, roughly 140,000 hectares, takes in a range of landscapes, from those with a high environmental value, such as the Campsie and Pentland Hills, to those suffering significant environmental blight and degradation through previous industrial activites.
Our role
Our expert staff are responsible for promoting, controlling and regulating all aspects of woodland management and creation within the region and can give you advice and support on areas of Scottish Government policy and delivery.
Urban forestry and urban regeneration
We focus on urban forestry and urban regeneration issues to contribute to the development of the area as a destination for business investment, living and tourism.
The economic potential of the region could be significantly enhanced through investment in environmental improvement, including the development of new urban woodlands and greening of derelict land.
Opportunities
The major opportunities are associated with:
- Woodlands In and Around Towns (WIAT), a programme aiming to bring woodland expansion and forestry activity closer to where people live and work
- Health
- Education
- Social inclusion and environmental justice, and
- The development of the woodfuel sector in Central Scotland.
The Central Scotland Green Network
The Scottish Government’s second National Planning Framework (NPF2) designates the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) as one of only 14National Developments.
NPF2 describes the Central Scotland Green Network as an opportunity to build on existing initiatives in the Central Belt to deliver “a step change in the quality of the environment for the benefit of people, landscape and nature”.
The initiative aims to develop a strategic network of woodland and other habitats, active travel routes, greenspace links, watercourses and waterways, providing an enhanced setting for development and other land uses and improved opportunities for outdoor recreation and cultural activity.
The development and implementation of early projects delivering the Green Network on the ground has been supported through the CSGN Development Fund administrated jointly by FCS and SNH.
Grants
Rural Development Contracts have been introduced throughout Scotland as part of the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP). See more about forestry grants in Scotland.
Changes to the way that we make payments
From 16 October 2008, all WGS and SFGS payments part-funded by the EC will be made only to those businesses which are registered under the Integrated Administration Control System (IACS), and whose land is also IACS registered.
Please see commonly asked questions and answers (PDF 22k) about this change.
Woodfuel
There is a range of support offered for the woodfuel sector throughout Scotland by the Regional Biomass Advice Network (RBAN).The aim of network is to deliver a co-ordinated biomass development programme across Lowlands & Upland Scotland.
The overall objective of the programme is to deliver a vibrant, sustainable and viable biomass industry in Scotland. In particular, the RBAN is focussed on the opportunities biomass for energy provides for new business development, particularly in traditional primary rural industries, such as forestry and agriculture. New markets for biomass material can promote the diversification of rural businesses, and the programme will support the creation of links between the supply chain and new local markets. The programme will help develop and consolidate customer confidence in the biomass for energy supply chain.
Together, working with stakeholders at a national and regional level, we have developed a comprehensive programme of support.
More information is available from www.usewoodfuel.co.uk
