Introduction

The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute offers expertise and experience in the development, production and implementation of spatial plans and planning tools.  

Topics covered include renewable energy, woodlands, greenspace, biodiversity, plus the use of participatory techniques for facilitating the development of strategic and development plans. 

Services and consultancy to both public and private sectors

• Decision support tools for strategic spatial planning, using Geographic Information Systems
  • Supplementary Planning Guidelines – renewable energy
  • Rule-based models for national plans for renewable energy (e.g. Scotland and Wales), or local authorities (e.g. Aberdeenshire)
  • Accessibility modelling for green and open space
  • Forestry strategies
  • Capacity of landscapes to accommodate change
  • Land capability mapping
• Visioning exercises for public input to the development of strategic or local plans

• Strategic assessment of visual impacts of wind turbines for Scottish Borders
• Strategic assessment of cumulative visual impacts of windfarm developments – North Ayrshire
• Landscape capacity and sensitivity to wind turbine developments in North and East Highland and Moray
• Wind energy decision support tool for Aberdeenshire
• ‘A Borders Wetland Vision’ - Wetlands Decision Support Tool for Scottish Borders Council
• Woodlands vision for the Cairngorms
• Land Capability for Agriculture, as projected under climate change
• Accessibility of greenspace for City of Edinburgh