SOUTH OF SCOTLAND INDICATIVE REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY CONTENTS Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 3 Context ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Ambition ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Strategic Themes and Aims ..........................................................................................................10 Appendix - Strategic Development Projects ..........................................................................16 2 SOUTH OF SCOTLAND | indicative Regional Spatial Strategy Introduction This document presents the indicative Regional Spatial optimum connectivity to, from and throughout our the need for a paradigm-shift towards a greener, net- Strategy (iRSS) for the South of Scotland, a region region. The timescale for the programme set out in zero and wellbeing economy which is why the South which comprises the local authority areas of Dumfries this iRSS is to 2050, with a 10-year review. of Scotland’s role and response to climate change is a and Galloway and the Scottish Borders. In doing so, it cornerstone of this iRSS. seeks to respond to the opportunity presented by the Over the next 30 years, the potential for change is review of the National Planning Framework (NPF) for significant, and the iRSS will need to be responsive The strategic development projects identified in the authorities to work together to identify the strategic and flexible to promote and develop our region’s iRSS will be delivered through a number of different development priorities they wish to see taken forward resilience, socially, and its agility, economically. organisations and delivery programmes including the with enhanced status in planning and investment The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is a stark Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, South of Scotland decision making within the South of Scotland; and reminder of the potential for radical change in even Enterprise, the Strategic Housing Investment Plan, the input into the development of the forthcoming NPF4, a matter of months. It is liable to impact on us all, Scottish Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan, at a national level. and potentially for decades to come. We must plan and the Strategic Transport Projects Review. to address the challenges and opportunities as we Through this document, we articulate a number now find them. We need to adapt in recognition of ♦ Reflecting the objectives of a Regional Spatial of shared outcomes and strategic development the strong likelihood that we face a challenge which Strategy set out in the Planning (Scotland) Act projects we wish to see achieved and delivered in is qualitatively and quantitatively of a different order 2019, this document seeks to identify: our region by 2050 which will respond to the climate from any that we have encountered previously. ♦ the need for strategic development; change emergency, secure sustainability in our ♦ the outcomes to which strategic development will energy supplies and land use practices; deliver an The need for us to lead in acting on climate change is contribute; inclusive economy; bring meaningful improvements ever more significant. The recommendations of the ♦ priorities for the delivery of strategic to the health and wellbeing of all of our citizens; Scottish Government commissioned Advisory Group development; and facilitate the responsible management of our high on Economic Recovery and Scottish Government’s ♦ as far as practicable, the proposed locations of quality landscape and heritage resources; and deliver response to those recommendations, have reinforced such development. SOUTH OF SCOTLAND | indicative Regional Spatial Strategy 3 Scottish Borders and Eyemouth Dumfries and Galloway Council Areas Chirnside Duns West Linton Lauder Population Peebles Coldstream 800 - 2000 Galashiels Innerleithen 2000 - 5000 Tweedbank Kelso Melrose 5000 - 10000 Selkirk St Boswells 10000 - 20000 Jedburgh Hawick 20000 - 43000 Kirkconnel/Kelloholm Sanquhar Moffat Thornhill Newcastleton Langholm Lochmaben Lockerbie Dumfries Newton Annan Gretna Stewart Castle Douglas Stranraer Dalbeattie Eastriggs Wigtown Kirkcudbright Whithorn Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on N behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 right 2020. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Miles Licence number 100023423. IST: 121995 Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders are distinctly rural areas with a number of small settlements shown on map above. Together, they constitute about 14% of the whole land area of Scotland; and have a combined population of about 263,000 people. Their population densities are practically identical; which, at 23/km2, are the lowest outside of the Highlands and Islands and a third of the Scottish average; both areas have ageing populations and suffer the out-migration of young people. 4 SOUTH OF SCOTLAND | indicative Regional Spatial Strategy Context The South of Scotland comprises around 14% of large urban centres either side of the region rather a loss of larger businesses over recent decades. Our Scotland’s land mass, it is a distinctive region, which than facilitating access to and within the region. This transport and digital infrastructure is poor compared sits between the larger population centres and is illustrated on the map below. The Borders railway to the Scottish average. The South of Scotland has markets of the Central Belt and the North of England is an exception although it currently only serves to many assets, located between the central belt and the and has vital relationships with these and other link the national railway network, via Edinburgh, to North of England there is a large potential ‘regional’ regions beyond its boundaries. the central Borders. At a national level, the South of market. There is also a strong sense of community Scotland is liable not to be perceived as a destination and a rich cultural heritage; and an excellent quality The South of Scotland councils are part of the in its own right but as somewhere en route to of life. These assets combined with delivery of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal. This brings somewhere else. The lack of good east west transport strategic development projects outlined in this iRSS them together with the English local authorities of routes means that travellers and visitors arriving on will establish the South of Scotland as a centre of Carlisle City Council, Cumbria County Council, and national network routes are unlikely to perceive it or opportunity, innovation and growth. Northumberland County Council in the promotion experience it as a coherent region. of the inclusive economic growth of the area that The iRSS provides an opportunity to align spatial straddles the Scotland-England border. Dumfries There are a number of households and business strategy with a number of initiatives and strategies and Galloway Council has vital relationships to the properties across the region unable to access superfast including the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, north with the Ayrshire Councils, South Lanarkshire broadband speeds and do not have access to 4G the Strategic Transport Projects Review and and Glasgow; and perhaps most significantly of all, in mobile connectivity, it is unclear when 5G mobile emerging regional economic strategy. It also seeks the context of the UK leaving the EU, with Northern coverage will become available. This impacts on the to incorporate emerging thinking from the recently Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Scottish Borders region’s attractiveness as a business location which is formed South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), the need Council is also part of the Edinburgh and South-East why delivery of the Borderlands digital infrastructure for a shift towards a greener, net zero and wellbeing Scotland City Deal – comprising the local authority project is crucial. economy and the outcomes from the Scottish Borders authorities of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, Council land use study pilot. This iRSS has been West Lothian, Fife and Scottish Borders, together with Taking the South of Scotland as a whole, the region developed with input from colleagues in economic regional universities, colleges and the private sector. underperforms against conventional economic development, transportation, sustainability, ecology, measures. Relative to Scotland, it has low productivity biodiversity, and strategic housing. At present, the strategic transport network (road and figures and limited value-adding activity. The business rail) runs predominately north to south, linking up the base is dominated by micro and small businesses with SOUTH OF SCOTLAND | indicative Regional Spatial Strategy 5 Stirling EDINBURGH GLASGOW Connectivity A1 A68 A 1 7 0 7 Population A 10000 - 20000 Galashiels A 7 A 0 6 1 8 7 20000 - 43000 A Ferry Crossings Ayr Hawick Rail Motorway A 76 Main Roads A A74(M) 7 6 7 1 A 0 7 A Dumfries 5 7 A A75 NEWCASTLE A UPON TYNE 7 7 Larne A75 A75 77 A75 A Stranraer CARLISLE Belfast Reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on N 0 5 10 15 20 behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database Miles right 2020. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100023423. IST: 121995 6 SOUTH OF SCOTLAND | indicative Regional Spatial