Wildlife sites to benefit from funding change

New approval process introduced for selected Rural Priorities projects

Vital nature conservation areas are set to benefit from the introduction of a new fast-track approval process for selected Rural Priorities projects.

With effect from May 1, 2011, the change will apply to agri-environment projects worth up to £50,000 in Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Natura Sites, and will allow people to apply without having to wait for funding rounds.

Following consultation with stakeholders, plans are also in place to temporarily suspend the management of hedgerows option in the next Rural Priorities funding round, allowing spend to be targeted towards other critical projects.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:

"We’ve listened to stakeholders’ views about the need for ready access to agri-environment funding to improve conditions for the vulnerable flora and fauna in nature conservation areas.

"I’m pleased to say that with effect from May 1, 2011, we are introducing a new fast-track approval process for agri-environment projects up to £50,000 in specially protected wildlife sites.

"This means that the relevant applicants will be able to apply for funding in advance of the next Rural Priorities funding round, details of which are to be announced shortly.

"Some agri-environment options have been more popular than others and are already impacting positively on the environment. For example, we’ve contributed £32 million of Scottish and EU funding to the management or creation of 2,655 km of hedgerows to benefit biodiversity.

"Following discussion with stakeholders, we have decided to suspend the management of hedgerows options in the next funding round in order to focus spend towards other agri-environment projects, where support is critical."

Scottish Natural Heritage Chief Executive Ian Jardine said:

"We very much welcome these changes, which should reduce the time needed to get a decision and give greater certainty over the likely outcome.

"We hope that they will encourage many more land managers to apply for support to help them improve the condition of nature sites on their land. This in turn will speed up Scotland’s progress towards achieving the target of having 95 per cent of our protected areas in favourable condition."