Almost three quarters of people feel they have no say over changes to their local landscape according to research by the National Trust for Scotland.
The findings were revealed in a report published today. The Land We Love contains findings gathered through surveys of 700 National Trust for Scotland members, around 1000 members of the Scottish public and the attendees of a major landscape conference which took place in November 2012.
Seventy two per cent of people surveyed said they had “no influence” in response to the question ‘do you feel you are able to influence how your local landscapes are managed?’
The results come just a few weeks after the Trust, along with a range of other organisations concerned with conservation, wild land and access to the countryside, highlighted serious concerns about whether wild land will receive sufficient protection under the draft Scottish Planning Policy and National Planning Framework. The consultation on the framework closes on 23 July.
Head of Policy Diarmid Hearns said: “Our research confirms that people in Scotland value the landscape and want to see it protected. The impact of adverse developments on our lochs and mountains, coastal landscapes and historic settings is a worry, especially locally.
“So, it is concerning that far too many people feel powerless when it comes to influencing local landscape developments – the planning system seems to be a complete mystery to them and they have no idea how to make their voices heard.
“The National Planning Framework closes for consultation tomorrow, but our research found only eleven per cent of Scots even knew of its existence. Its proposals for electricity generation and transmission will have a major impact on our communities, our coasts and our landscapes, but only a few people will even know that this discussion is taking place.”
The research also found that there was a strong connection between perceived influence over local planning issues, with 46 per cent of the wealthiest groups feeling they had some, compared to just sixteen per cent amongst the least wealthy group.
Industrial development, pylons and neglect were the development issues of most concern to those surveyed from outwith the Trust, while Trust members were most concerned by pylons, onshore windfarms and industrial development.