The role of the statutory planning system in nature conservatio

Over the past thirty years, the fabric on the British countryside has undergone substantial change. Chapter I notes the growing concern about the loss of traditional countryside characteristics, particularly the destruction of wildlife habitats by intensive farming practices. Given this, the dissertation sets out to establish, the role of the planner in nature conservation; if the planner makes full use of this role; and if regional variations exist in the planning response to nature conservation. Chapter II establishes the background to the agriculture/conservation debate. This entails a review of the development of agricultural policy and its effects on wildlife, along with the planning response to this growing problem. It is round that the planner has few statutory powers to conserve wildlife and so other methods that are used, are investigated. In Chapter III, Scottish conservation planning is considered to discover if regional variations in the planning response to conservation exist. This is because many of the factore that might influence nature conservation are apparently different in Scotland compared to the rest of Britain. It is found that in Lowland Scotland, however, the effects of farming on wildlife are similar to those in England. The planner's in nature conservation is also considered in this chapter. In Strathclyde Region, conservation at present is consideded a rather marginal activity, with only a minority interested in wildlife matters. Chapter IV demonstrates that the general apathy to conservation planning is not universal. In Cunninghame District, the planners have a professional interest in wildlife and have been able to develop conservation policies. However, these policies still do not over-come the planner's limited role in conservation, except through the voluntary approach. Despite this, the progressive attitudes towards conservation in Gunninghame, has meant the use of the voluntary approach in a new and innovative way. This allows indirect controls to be placed on farming through the more extensive planning powers available over land reclamation. Thus, the planner can dictate that the eventual use of reclaimed land is not harmful to wildlife. This method was demonstrated at Blairsland Bing. Chapter V examines the future role of the planner in conserving wild-life. In the short term, an expansion of this role seems unlikely, and in the meantime, planners must try to make the most of their existing part in conservation, as illustrated by Cunninghameis planners. Agricultural policy is becoming more environmental and this will probably form the main means to initiate conservation in the near future. Longer term, the role of the planner in conservation is less clear, although more controls over agriculture may become available. Chapter VI summarises the main findings.