Getting the best from our land - A land use stategy for Scotland Action Plan December 2011

3. The Wider Context

The Scottish Government and its SEARS partners are leading on delivery of the Land Use Strategy and the Action Plan is focused on the specific work required to deliver the Proposals. However it is important that we do not lose sight of the high level objectives and our wider desire to move our thinking and our actions towards a better integrated approach to land use.

We will encourage partnership working wherever possible whether across the public sector, between the public, private and third sectors or between the different sectoral interests in land use. Working together will help us to better understand the opportunities and constraints faced by different sectors. Better understanding will assist us all in taking advantage of the opportunities that may arise as a result of closer working. The overall goal is the achievement of sustainable land use bringing with it increased policy integration. The application of the Principles for Sustainable Land Use to significant decisions about the use of land will lead to well considered and wise choices about land use and will improve land use integration on the ground leading to improved benefits for Scotland.

The key shifts in our thinking that are set out in the Land Use Strategy are equally applicable for strategic policy making as they are for local decisions about land management and we should be mindful of the need to aim for these shifts in approach :

• Delivering multiple benefits
• Partnerships with nature
• Linking people with the land

Getting the best from our land: A land use strategy for Scotland has a lifespan of no more than 5 years. The Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009 requires a revised strategy to be laid before Parliament no later than 5 years after publication of this first Strategy. This Action Plan will continue to be reviewed as appropriate in light of progress, stakeholder input and other developments.

All documents associated with the Land Use Strategy, as well as other relevant information, can be accessed at:
www.scotland.gov.uk/landusestrategy

If you wish to get involved or comment on any aspect, please contact the Land Use and Natural Environment team using the following contact details:
landusestrategy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk