In reply to Removed User:
A long story! Tracks which are claimed to be for forestry or agriculture have, historically, enjoy Permitted Development Rights which means that, up until a few years ago, they could be bulldozed without reference to any public authority. It was clear that many tracks in the hills which were claimed to be for agriculture were, in fact, for shooting purposes, tracks for which have always needed full planning consent. After years of campaigning by environmental groups, the Scottish Government finally agreed that there was problem and brought such tracks under the Prior Notification system in 2014. This means that estates must advise the relevant planning authority before constructing such tracks and the planning authority can exercise some limited control over them, although they still have Permitted Development status.
Over the past three years, a sub group of Scottish Environment LINK has been monitoring the Prior Notification system for such tracks; this has involved scrutinising literally hundreds of applications and commenting on/objecting to a number of them. This monitoring has led to LINK considering that the new system is still inadequate and that all agricultural tracks should require full planning consent. A report to this effect will be published in September, following which LINK will campaign for change. Andy Wightman's amendment to the Planning Bill reflects these ongoing concerns.
There are also significant problems with hydro tracks but these already require full consent so that is a totally separate issue.
If people want to see better control of the tracks which continue to blight many of Scotland's finest upland landscapes, then we would encourage people to email their MSP (you can find you MSP here - http://www.parliament.scot/msps.aspx ) saying something along the following lines:
'I am very concerned that new and often poorly constructed hill tracks continue to blight Scotland's world renowned upland landscapes. Andy Wightman MSP is putting forward an amendment to the Planning Bill which would ensure that such hill tracks are subject to greater legal controls. I am writing to ask you to support this amendment'
George Allan (North East Mountain Trust SCIO 008783)