New protection from 'eyesore' tracks in Scotland is welcomed
New measures outlined by the Scottish Government to protect against 'eyesore' tracks have been welcomed.
Ministers have announced moves to give extra protection to the countryside by putting planning controls on the creation of new hill tracks.
They will come under the control of local authority planning services and require prior notification and planning permission.
However, one mountaineering body is disappointed that there has been no immediate ban on bulldozing tracks through the hills without permission.
Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay announced the new planning controls today (Wednesday).
Planning authorities will be able to consider how proposed tracks will impact on the environment and “intervene to ensure that design, siting and appearance are acceptable”.
But the announcement stated that the requirements will be introduced across the country “later in the year”.
David Gibson is Chief Officer of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland which has supported the campaign for greater control over hill tracks.
He said: “The present government has presided over and, in many cases, approved developments, leading to an unprecedented reduction in wild land across Scotland, so we naturally welcome the introduction of measures by them which we hope will mitigate further damage to Scotland’s landscape caused by bulldozed tracks.
“We look forward to seeing the detail about the planning controls and being able to confirm that there will be real protection for the landscape from hill tracks.
“We would have expected an immediate moratorium on building tracks without permission, because experience has already shown that such delay only creates a window of opportunity during which more damage can be done.”
Historically, agricultural and forestry tracks could be constructed and upgraded under permitted development rights, meaning that provided they met certain criteria a planning application was not required.
