Development & Planning
While there is considerable interest in development in the National Park, mainly for housing and tourism-related developments, some places don’t have capacity for more due to environmental constraints or lack of infrastructure.
Challenge
In some towns and villages, for example at Arrochar and Tarbet, undeveloped vacant and derelict sites are causing significant blight within communities. Where new development is needed, there are challenges such as availability of suitable land, high development costs and either limited, or a lack of existing infrastructure. This is affecting the delivery of much needed development in small rural communities such as affordable housing.
Our built and historic environment also needs to adapt to the impacts of the climate emergency. Increasing intense periods of rainfall leads to flooding which damages local infrastructure and buildings and cuts off some communities entirely. Landslips have blocked strategic road links on both the A83 and A85 Trunk roads as well as minor local roads.
Increased temperature fluctuations can damage and disrupt energy supplies and transmission infrastructure while hotter, drier summers increase instances of water scarcity and wildfires. These weather changes have impacts on buildings and infrastructure such as overheating or poor weather resistance and material deterioration.
Solution
Being a National Park doesn’t mean there should be no development. Through its planning role the National Park Authority can pro-actively guide new development and infrastructure that helps facilitate the changes needed in the way land is used to deliver for climate and nature, while also meeting the needs of those living and working here.
The National Planning Framework (NPF4) is clear that to respond to the climate emergency and nature crisis, all investment and development must contribute to making Scotland a more sustainable place. It identifies a large part of the National Park, alongside other areas of central and northern Highlands of Scotland, to become an overall net carbon sink, locking in more carbon than it releases into the atmosphere.
Beyond what has already been identified it is not envisaged that any significant new sites for development will be needed in the next five years. Where some derelict sites are an issue in communities, interventions such as compulsory purchase, community right-to-buy, or innovative finance options will be needed to stimulate development.
The re-use of brownfield sites (land which has previously been developed) outside towns and villages also needs to be considered for development to support local living, the rural economy, local wealth building and the biodiversity value of the site.
There is also a need to invest in existing rural infrastructure to repair, improve and strengthen its resilience towards the impacts of climate change.
Goal
The goal is for new development and infrastructure to be more responsive to the needs of communities, the rural economy, land use and management, directly benefiting people, climate and nature.
Steps to take
- Deliver Strategic Development Needs
- Adapt to Climate Change and Restore Nature
- Make the best use of Land and Assets
- Deliver a multi-year Place Programme