Central Scotland Forest Trust

I'm pleased to be summing up for the Liberal Democrats in this debate. Forestry is of course close to my heart not only as a former Borders Forest Trustee and Forestry Commission Regional Forum member, but also having led the successful campaign against the Scottish Government's unpopular and defeated plan to sell off 25% of Forestry Commission land, which also saw the then environment Minister being demoted. I shall of course refrain for using this opportunity to remind them of that debacle.

However, now that the future of Scotland's forests has been ensured, we need to investigate the advantages of having a dedicated national Land Use Strategy, something which Liberal Democrats have already called for on several occasions. This would allow for the management practices for all land across Scotland - not just forests - to be examined, and could lead to substantial improvements across the board if carried out correctly.

While the Scottish Government is currently undertaking a Land Use Study of rural areas specifically, now is arguably the time to focus on wider-reaching land use policy, with intent to act. Our proposed Land Use Strategy would implement a holistic approach to integrated land use and the delivery of multiple public benefits.

Even if a dedicated land use strategy is not forthcoming, it is important to ensure that Scotland's forests continue to offer a wide range of economic, social and environmental opportunities. For example, by promoting access, encouraging biodiversity and securing a sustainable supply of wood for our forestry sectors, the National Forest Estate can offer far more in public hands than in private ones. Furthermore, by choosing to introduce Joint Ventures over leasing proposals, the Government will likely make more money to be able to tackle climate change.

So what the Central Scotland Forest Trust is doing is highly commendable and underlines the importance of publicly or trust owned community woodlands. It is also a reminder that an urban greenspace network is possible with some inventive thinking about all the benefits, be they environmental; social; or economic.

There are clear links between environment, greenspace and good health and wellbeing which needs to be nurtured and encouraged as much as possible.

A survey conducted by Greenspace Scotland in 2007 revealed that almost 60% of respondents strongly agreed that their local greenspace is somewhere that they could relax and unwind and 56% strongly agreed that it is an attractive place and safe for physical activity.

Other key findings from Greenspace Scotland have shown that:

1. There is a clear positive relationship between greenspaces and health, particularly for young and older people;

2. For physical exercise, the value of greenspaces as places to exercise is unquestionable.

3. On mental health, there is compelling evidence for the restorative effects of greenspaces.

4. In terms of social health, greenspaces are one of the few remaining spaces that are available to all. Surveys show that greenspaces are important as places of memory, and are closely associated with neighbourhood identity.

Walking and outdoor activities are growing in popularity in Scotland and have major benefits to individuals and to the economy through the development of outdoor business opportunities. Scottish Liberal Democrats have long recognised the links between environment, activity and good health - we want to continue to improve access to Scotland's environment. The forests across the South of Scotland - Glentress in the Borders and the Galloway Forest Park - are examples which immediately spring to mind and these attractions are huge for the local economy, but also fulfil the objective of creating a healthy population.

And in Carrifran - Wildwood - where the restoration of ancient woodlands inspires the imagination and the recently acquired Corsehead farm, by the Devils Beeftub, will use an imaginative mix of land uses to better the experience of visiting that area - both these places near Moffat.

I'm particularly interested in the idea of economic development through the Trust's work. Looking to the South of Scotland it's easy to see just how many businesses and jobs are in one way or another supported by our forests. Often whole communities are centred around forestry activity and in the case of Ae in Dumfriesshire, that village was actually created for forestry workers in the Ae Forest. Obviously the situation is different in urban areas and I don't expect to see new villages sprouting out of the ground overnight, but there's no reason why this type of economic benefit cannot be replicated in the central belt, albeit perhaps as I say on a smaller scale. But I'm glad in particular that part of the focus will be on developing wood using businesses and heat energy projects. Heat energy projects will surely create and support jobs among licensed solid wood-fuel professionals, contractors, engineering firms, loggers and other forest products professionals.

Presiding Officer, I welcome the work of the Trust and I hope that this is a starter that will inspire the rest of Scotland to follow.