Consultation Responses
Here you can find details of our recent consultation responses. Please contact us if you would like any more information on any of these.
Scotland 2045 - fourth National Planning Framework - draft: consultation
The SWLG response to the draft consultation on the National Planning Framework was submitted in March 2022. You can view the response here.
Onshore Wind Policy Statement Refresh 2021: Consultative Draft
A response to the draft consultation on Onshore Wind Policy was submitted to the Scottish Government. You can view the response here.
Cairngorms Main Issues Report consultation 2018
SWLG responded to the National Park's consultation on the main issues to be addressed in the Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan 2020. We wrote to the Park Authority about Impacts on Natura Designations (Issue 7) and Land Management in Upland Areas (Issue 10). You can view the SWLG response here.
Call for Views on the Planning (Scotland) Bill - Contribution to Stage 1 Scrutiny
We responded to the call for views on the first stage of scrutiny of the Planning (Scotland) Bill in February 2018. We made some specific comments about Wild Land Areas and the omission of Equal Rights of Appeal. You can view the SWLG response here.
Survey on extension of Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in Scotland
In January 2018 we responded to the survey by LUC Consultants on the extension of PDR in Scotland. You can view the SWLG response here.
Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan 2
In December 2017 we submitted comments on the Arglyl and Bute Local Development Plan and the proposal to explore the potential to create a coastal and marine Argyll and Islands National Park. You can view the SWLG response here.
Assessing Impacts on Wild Land Areas (Technical Guidance)
SWLG submitted a response to the Scottish Natural Heritage consultation on assessing impacts on wild land areas (April 2017). You can view the SWLG response here.
People, Places and Planning consultation
In Spring 2017 the SWLG responded to the Scottish Government's People, Places and Planning consultation document. Here is our response. We are concerned about the status of Wild Land Areas and the level of protection afforded to them, the planning law which allows constant attrition of wild areas by intrusions such as hilltracks and the level of democratic deficit in the planning system in Scotland. You can view the SWLG response here.
Local Landscape Areas
SWLG responded to the Scottish Natural Heritage and Historic Environment Scotland consultation on Local Landscape Areas (March 2017). You can view the SWLG response here.
Future of Land Reform in Scotland
Our response to the Government's consultation. You can view the SWLG response here.
'Core Areas of Wild Land' map
The SWLG's response to Scottish Natural Heritage's consultation on their 2013 Core Areas of Wild Land map, which may be adopted by the Scottish Government for use in planning policy. You can view the SWLG response here and the open letter to the Government written by the SWLG and seven other environmental groups, calling for greater protection of Scotland's landscapes. .
'Sustainability and Planning' consultation
The SWLG's response to the Scottish Government's consultation on 'sustainable economic growth' and 'sustainable development' as priorities in planning policy. You can view the SWLG response here.
Hill tracks campaign
Launched in June 2013 in partnership with several other organisations, an appeal for members of the public to help stop the spread of hill tracks. This continues our long-running campaign to persuade the Government to bring unregulated hill tracks into the planning system.
National Planning Framework and Scottish Planning Policy
The SWLG's responses to the Government's consultations on the National Planning Framework (NPF3) and Scottish Planning Policy from July 2013 can be found here.
Wild land protection (National Planning Framework)
The SWLG responded to the Government's consultations on the National Planning Framework and Scottish Planning Policy (above). We also wrote a joint letter with 7 other Scottish environmental groups to urge the Government to give wild land meaningful protection. You can view the SWLG response here.
Hill tracks
Response to the Scottish Government's proposed amendments to the General Permitted Development Amendment Order that would remove automatic Permitted Development Rights from hill tracks. Background to the SWLG's position can be found in an article in the Spring 2010 issue of Wild Land News. You can view the SWLG response here.
Woodland Expansion
Response to the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group's consultation on plans to increase woodland cover in Scotland. You can view the SWLG response here.