Landscape Statement – Vision

The Framework was established in 2019 by NatureScot in response to the 2017 Onshore Wind Policy Statement, and seeks to balance energy generation with environmental protection and restoration. The Framework has been recognised as an example of good practice and was referred to in the Onshore Wind Policy Statement 2022. It won a Scottish Green Energy Award in November 2023.

The Framework represents the first time that developers, agencies and planning authorities have collaborated to produce a positive vision for renewable energy development in a particular landscape context. The Framework has also enabled local communities to have a voice in shaping the energy transition in their area, aligning with the Charter’s Vision for inclusive decision-making at different scales.

The Framework sets an ambition to deliver 1GW of renewable energy capacity through repowering and the extension of existing schemes. It provides greater certainty for developers, agencies and communities in the planning process, setting out key principles for development in the Cluster, including integration of land management practices and nature restoration. The Framework has been adopted as Planning Guidance by South Lanarkshire and East Ayrshire Councils, ensuring it will be considered in the determination of planning applications.

It will guide community benefit funding of around £5million per year in to the projects that can best deliver on the communities’ priorities, including active travel networks, recreation facilities and low carbon infrastructure.

The Framework also supports nature restoration, helping deliver carbon savings by expanding woodland and restoring peatland, as well as delivering positive effects for biodiversity.

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How does this project deliver the principles of the charter?

1. Collaboration

This is the first time that developers, agencies and planning authorities have collaborated to produce a positive vision for renewable energy development in a Development Framework. Local communities have been given a voice to shape the energy transition in their area. The Framework will guide community benefit funding of around £5million per year in to the projects that can best deliver on the communities’ priorities, including active travel networks, recreation facilities and low carbon infrastructure.  It gives communities a voice to shape their future, supported by a growing stream of investment from the community benefit funds.  This is sustainable development – combining social, economic and environmental priorities in to one, integrated framework that delivers for People, Nature and Place.

An example of a specific aspect of ongoing collaboration initiated as a result of the Framework stems from the Onshore Wind Sector Deal (2023), in which it was agreed to set up a working group to explore the lessons learned so far from the Framework. Scottish Renewables has asked for a cost benefit analysis (CBA) to support this. Currently underway, the CBA exercise has already revealed the key benefits of collaboration from a developer perspective, including delivering better results for the local area, learning from each other, and more clarity on the future of renewable development in the area. Collaboration on land management and habitat enhancement will also deliver greater benefits for nature by avoiding replication between developer plans, allowing for more streamlined implementation and targeting of strategic priorities.

2. Dynamism

The Framework introduces a shared vision for the Hagshaw cluster and surrounding landscape. By introducing more clarity and certainty on the future of renewable energy in the area, through involving local planning authorities in the Framework development, this also means that landscape and nature restoration objectives can be linked together to ensure wider benefits. This then allows for greater ambition in delivering strategic socio-environmental goals.

For instance, collaborating on pre and post-construction bird monitoring was one area where NatureScot and many participating developers felt there were opportunities to improve the consent process and use resources on bird monitoring and Habitat Management Plans more effectively, without compromising the requirements of the planning process. A study is currently underway, testing exactly how improved outcomes may be achieved by more targeted spending on post-construction bird monitoring at onshore wind farms.

The Hagshaw area remains an excellent test-bed for this type of study, given the considerable pre and post-construction bird data available, plus the award winning collaboration already achieved for the Framework. The presence of sensitive species from the nearby Muirkirk and North Lowther Uplands Special Protection Area also adds to the Hagshaw Cluster’s suitability for this kind of work.

The study is being undertaken by ecological consultants Net Zero Ecology and MacArthur Green, who both have long-standing involvement in bird work in the area.
The new study will identify a robust process that planning authorities, conservation bodies and developers can use to produce more targeted monitoring and positive outcomes for birds.

3. Diversity

The Framework builds upon the principles of a diverse landscape by seeking to deliver the dual goals of net zero and a Just Transition. It aims to aid the creation of local jobs, guide investment to the right infrastructure to deliver a low carbon future and give communities direct influence over priorities.

Through a multi-pronged approach, the Framework showcases thoughtful holistic design. For instance, different strands of the Framework and indicative planned and progressed actions include (and are not limited to):

• Realising the renewable opportunity though e.g. a co-ordinated radar and aviation lighting strategy for the cluster and a co-ordinated access strategy.
• Resilient and connected communities through e.g. the upgrade of existing path networks and the creation of new active travel links.
• Co-ordinated enhancement of nature through e.g. nature education and a coordinated land management plan.
• A strong identity of heritage, people and place through e.g. industrial heritage trails.
• Inclusive, sustainable growth though e.g. the promotion of a local and regional circular economy strategy.

Outdoor recreation to support health and wellbeing. E.g. the design of an outdoor recreation and adventure hub, and the upgrading of existing play areas.

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What's Next

The ongoing implementation of the Framework is supported by a FTE Economic Development Officer employed by the South Lanarkshire Council, as well as voluntary contributions of developer, landowners, community, and agency time to regular meetings to discuss progress on the various strands of the Framework.

More about this project