Outdoor Access Strategy 2015-18
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THE HIGHLAND COUNCIL Agenda 15 Item PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE Report PDI COMMITTEE No 36/15 3 JUNE 2015 OUTDOOR ACCESS STRATEGY 2015-18 Report by Director of Development and Infrastructure Summary This paper summarises the process the Council has undertaken to produce the current Outdoor Access Strategy and highlights some of its achievements. Work is currently underway to develop a new strategy and the attached paper represents a draft for consultation. Members are invited to: note the report, comment on its content; and consider and approve the proposed limited consultation, following which an amended paper will be presented for approval at a future Committee. 1. Background 1.1 The previous Highland Council Access Strategy 2008-11 was completed in 2008, and was the successor to the Highlands and Islands Access Strategy which was completed in 2000 ahead of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. This Act imposed a duty for access authorities to develop their own access strategies. 1.2 Over the period of the 2008-11 strategy the following aims have been achieved: consultations, proposals and adoption of the Highland Council Core Paths Plan; commence the process of reviewing these plans in conjunction with the Local Development Plans process; implementation of improvements and maintenance works, through both the Highland Council budget and a successful application for funds through the European LEADER Programme; and continuation and enhancement of the 6 Local Access Forums, that provide advice and guidance to the Council on access issues. 2. Proposed priorities and actions for the Outdoor Access Strategy 2015-18 2.1 The priorities for the Outdoor Access Strategy 2015-18 are guided by the Single Outcome Agreement, the Programme of the Highland Council ‘Working together for the Highlands’, and the Development and Infrastructure Service Plan 2012-2017. The relevant Priority Themes are: Cross-cutting themes – Gaelic, Equalities and Climate Change Working together for the economy Working together for children and young people Working together for caring communities Working together for better infrastructure Working together to empower communities 2.2 Actions Gaelic – implementation of bi-lingual signage on core paths and the use of Gaelic headings in publications. Equalities – delivering path improvements to enable increased access for as wide a range of groups and individuals as possible. Climate change – the provision of a better path structure and promotion of walking and cycling as alternatives to car use contribute to the Council’s climate change targets. 2.3 Economy The access strategy will continue to develop walking, cycling and horse-riding opportunities, including delivery of path projects. It will enhance the tourism product to attract and retain more visitors to the Highlands and contribute to the Council’s Green Tourism targets. 2.4 Children and young people The strategy will work closely with schools, communities, planners and the safe routes to school team to further enhance safer routes to school. 2.5 Caring communities It will provide opportunities for recreation and everyday exercise that contributes to healthy lifestyles through increasing physical activity. 2.6 Infrastructure It will contribute to the Green Transport Strategy and linking the path network to visitor facilities and the public transport system. 2.7 Empowering communities The strategy will assist communities with access projects, providing specialist advice and assisting their search for appropriate funds. 3. Draft Outdoor Access Strategy consultation 3.1 It is proposed that there will be a short 3 month consultation period where agencies and the main stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on the proposed content and actions arising from the strategy document. 3.2 Consultees will include: Forestry Commission Scotland; Scottish Natural Heritage; National Trust for Scotland; Scottish Wildlife Trust; Royal Society for the Protection of Birds’ Scottish Canals; Scotways; Scottish Land and Estates; Community Groups, such as Community Councils and Community Path Groups; and Local Access Fora This list is not exhaustive and other consultees will also be approached. 3.3 The consultees will be asked to consider: whether the Vision Statement is appropriate; and whether the aims and targets are appropriate and reflect where we should be going over the next three years. 4 Implications 4.1 Resource There are no additional resource implications arising from this report other than sourcing external funding to further enhance the path network and work with local communities. 4.2 Equalities There are no additional equalities implications arising from this report. The Strategy aims to make as many of the access routes as possible accessible to those with additional needs and in the most deprived areas of the Highland Council administrative area. 4.3 Gaelic Access signage complies with the Council’s Gaelic policy and aims to support and enhance the Gaelic language and culture where appropriate. 4.4 Rural implications There are no additional rural implications arising from this report. The Access Team operates in the rural as well as the urban environment and contribute substantially to their enhancement. 4.5 Legal, Climate Change/Carbon Clever/ Risk There are no additional legal, climate change/Carbon Clever, or risk implications arising from this report. Recommendation Members are invited to: note the report, comment on its content; and consider and approve the proposed limited consultation, following which an amended paper will be presented for approval at a future Committee. Designation: Director of Development and Infrastructure Date: 18 May 2015 Author: George Duff, Countryside Manager (Ext 2279) Outdoor Access Strategy Ro-innleachd airson Cothrom air a’Bhlàr A-muigh draft2015-2018 Foreword Facal on Chathraiche Eleven years on from the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 passing into law, a greater understanding of people’s rights and responsibilities regarding access has developed throughout the Highlands. Outdoor Access activities are proven to benefit both the physical and mental well- being of those who take part in them. They are also vital to the area’s tourism-based economy. Landowners and managers, walkers, cyclists and horse-riders alike have worked together with The Highland Council and Government Agencies to source funding to develop a more cohesive network of routes. That is why our Access Strategy is more important than ever. We need to keep focusing on what needs to be done to continue to improve the access resource in The Highland Council area for both local residents and visitors. This links closely with the priorities of local and central government and is seen as an important strategic initiative for The Highland Council. I, therefore, welcome this document and, most importantly, support the targets and actions included for the period of the strategy. Councillor Thomas Prag Chair of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee draft Outdoor Access Strategy Contents Clàr-innse Introduction 2 Ro-ràdh What we have been doing 4 Na tha sinn air a bhith a’ dèanamh What we are going to do 8 Na tha sinn a’ dol a dhèanamh Conclusion 16 Co-dhùnadh Appendix 1: Policy links 17 Pàipear-taice 1: Ceangalan Poileasaidh Appendix 2: Path projects 18 Pàipear-taice 2: Pròiseactan Ceuma draft Outdoor Access Strategy Introduction Ro-ràdh The benefits of access have been well documented and this strategy aims to encourage more people to visit the outdoors. Being outdoors, active and sociable are all key protective factors in mental health and being active is increasingly seen as the single most important thing we can do for our physical health. This strategy aims to continue the work of the previous strategy and focuses on social, health, economic and environmental benefits through enhanced access provision. If we can persuade more adults and children to walk or cycle to work and school there will be benefits to the environment. The more people visit their open spaces, parks, forests and beaches, the more they are likely to understand, appreciate and protect the environment around them. See Appendix 1 for examples of the plans and policies whose themes encompass what we are trying to do. Vision statement We will continue to develop a high quality and renowned access network, based on local and visitor needs and aspirations, which respects and reflects local character and provides clear social, health, economic and environmental benefits. The area Although the northern mainland and the Inner Hebrides, which together make up the Council’s administrative area, are the least populated part of the British Isles, they are extremely significant in terms of their share of the national outdoor access resource. This area has a unique image associated with its special physical characteristics and cultural identity. Within it are six area identities, each with their own characteristics, which together offer a suite of access opportunities of national importance. For many people Caithness is characterised by big skies and rugged sea cliffs. For others it means rich farmlanddraft or an unforgettable end to their Land’s End to John O’ Groats cycle trip. Spanning Scotland, Sutherland also offers great cycling. For those on foot there is a huge range of multi-day, high mountain possibilities. Sutherland’s more remote and spectacular landscapes can also be explored by canoe. Ross and Cromarty also stretches from coast to coast. Some of Britain’s most iconic mountain and rugged coastline scenery graces Wester Ross with mountains such as Stac Pollaidh, An Teallach and the Torridon range. Easter Ross and the Black Isle are 2 Outdoor Access Strategy rich in forests and have some of Highland’s best farmland. Many people may identify more with the Firths and their rich bird and mammal life. Skye and Lochalsh has strong connections to the sea. Its communities are small and widely dispersed. Lochs Hourn and Coruisk will be familiar to mountaineers adventuring on the hills of Knoydart and Skye. Storr, Trotternish, Glenelg and Neist are no less dramatic destinations.