News > Trust calls for heritage to be priority for new executive
Trust calls for heritage to be priority for new executive
26/04/2007
The NTS is calling on members of the new Scottish Parliament to support the nation's heritage
The Trust has produced a Policy Manifesto which sets out a series of priorities for the newly elected members of the parliament.
HERITAGE FUNDING
Funding for Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage should be increased by 5 per cent.
The successful conservation of Scotland’s magnificent heritage and the provision of opportunities for everyone to engage with their heritage require knowledge, skills, expertise and the provision of adequate resources. Increased funding is required for those arms of government that support individuals and groups involved in heritage conservation and access.
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
A review of historic environment legislation should be undertaken, particularly to close loopholes that allow unnecessary damage and to give statutory protection to historic and wider cultural landscapes.
The historical dimension to Scotland’s environment greatly contributes to its quality and character. The various elements which make up our historic environment are fundamental to our sense of place and cultural identity. However, there are significant shortcomings in the current historic environment legislation, which is piecemeal, complex, incomplete and difficult to understand. Conversely, there are opportunities to enable the system to work better and more simply, and to increase its effectiveness so that the historic environment is properly valued, holistically viewed and sustainably managed. A review is therefore required to tackle these shortcomings and to develop these opportunities by introducing modern legislation fit for the 21st century.
OUTDOOR ACCESS
The Scottish Executive should give sufficient dedicated financial support to local authorities to enable them to employ local access officers and develop and publicise core path networks.
The recent Land Reform Act and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code have dramatically changed for the better the context of access and outdoor recreation in Scotland, so that we now have amongst the best access and outdoor recreation in Scotland. The emphasis is now on developing and publicising core path networks and on resolving issues that arise. Adequate funding for this work is crucial to reap the full benefits of the access legislation.
LANDSCAPE
The Scottish Executive should prepare a national locational strategy for renewable energy developments.
At present the greatest threat to Scotland’s landscapes is from ill-sited wind farms and transmission lines. Scotland does need to source more of its energy from renewable sources but not at the expense of its natural and cultural heritage and of its landscapes. The Scottish Executive should not leave this critical issue largely to local authorities; it must take the lead and work with local authorities, conservation groups and other stakeholders to identify suitable areas for development and areas that must be safeguarded, along with realistic and achievable targets.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Scotland’s tourism industry must develop clear indicators of environmental sustainability.
Tourism, Scotland’s largest industry, has the potential to bring substantial social and economic benefits, however there are clear risks associated with unsustainable tourism. Scotland’s tourism industry needs an unequivocal commitment to sustainability, with clear measured and indicators developed to demonstrate what this means in practice.
CROFTING
Legislation and policy should be introduced that protect and enhances the natural cultural heritage of crofting areas and ensures that crofting benefits the wider community.
Revised crofting legislation will be required following the forthcoming wide-ranging inquiry into crofting issues announced in September 2006. Any such legislation and associated policy should encourage active involvement in crofting and should support the traditional focus on land-based activity.
HERITAGE FUNDING
Funding for Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage should be increased by 5 per cent.
The successful conservation of Scotland’s magnificent heritage and the provision of opportunities for everyone to engage with their heritage require knowledge, skills, expertise and the provision of adequate resources. Increased funding is required for those arms of government that support individuals and groups involved in heritage conservation and access.
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
A review of historic environment legislation should be undertaken, particularly to close loopholes that allow unnecessary damage and to give statutory protection to historic and wider cultural landscapes.
The historical dimension to Scotland’s environment greatly contributes to its quality and character. The various elements which make up our historic environment are fundamental to our sense of place and cultural identity. However, there are significant shortcomings in the current historic environment legislation, which is piecemeal, complex, incomplete and difficult to understand. Conversely, there are opportunities to enable the system to work better and more simply, and to increase its effectiveness so that the historic environment is properly valued, holistically viewed and sustainably managed. A review is therefore required to tackle these shortcomings and to develop these opportunities by introducing modern legislation fit for the 21st century.
OUTDOOR ACCESS
The Scottish Executive should give sufficient dedicated financial support to local authorities to enable them to employ local access officers and develop and publicise core path networks.
The recent Land Reform Act and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code have dramatically changed for the better the context of access and outdoor recreation in Scotland, so that we now have amongst the best access and outdoor recreation in Scotland. The emphasis is now on developing and publicising core path networks and on resolving issues that arise. Adequate funding for this work is crucial to reap the full benefits of the access legislation.
LANDSCAPE
The Scottish Executive should prepare a national locational strategy for renewable energy developments.
At present the greatest threat to Scotland’s landscapes is from ill-sited wind farms and transmission lines. Scotland does need to source more of its energy from renewable sources but not at the expense of its natural and cultural heritage and of its landscapes. The Scottish Executive should not leave this critical issue largely to local authorities; it must take the lead and work with local authorities, conservation groups and other stakeholders to identify suitable areas for development and areas that must be safeguarded, along with realistic and achievable targets.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Scotland’s tourism industry must develop clear indicators of environmental sustainability.
Tourism, Scotland’s largest industry, has the potential to bring substantial social and economic benefits, however there are clear risks associated with unsustainable tourism. Scotland’s tourism industry needs an unequivocal commitment to sustainability, with clear measured and indicators developed to demonstrate what this means in practice.
CROFTING
Legislation and policy should be introduced that protect and enhances the natural cultural heritage of crofting areas and ensures that crofting benefits the wider community.
Revised crofting legislation will be required following the forthcoming wide-ranging inquiry into crofting issues announced in September 2006. Any such legislation and associated policy should encourage active involvement in crofting and should support the traditional focus on land-based activity.
