Luss Estates Company Unveils 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Local Communities and Tackle Climate Challenges

Luss Estates Company, in partnership with architects Page\Park, has launched a comprehensive 10-year Land Use & Development Plan (2023–2033) focused on supporting local communities, enhancing biodiversity and tackling climate change across the estate.

Building on the successful 2013 Luss Strategic Development Framework, which notably improved the village setting, traffic management, rural economy, and housing, this new plan focuses on how Luss Estates Company can build resilience and support local communities over the next decade, while aligning with the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 4, and meeting the expectations of the Scottish Land Commission for large landholdings. The Plan serves as a roadmap for the Estate’s land use and direction, facilitating constructive dialogue with Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority as they prepare their next Local Development Plan.

Through extensive consultation with the local communities of Luss & Arden, and Arrochar, Tarbet, & Ardlui, the plan reflects the aspirations and concerns of local people, businesses, and stakeholders along West Loch Lomondside. In parallel with this project, with significant funding from Luss Estates Company, both communities have independently developed Local Place Plans, covering the next 5-10 years.

Context for Change

Since the 2013 Development Framework, local communities have grappled with rural depopulation and an aging demographic, impacting services and local businesses. The pandemic, surge in staycations, and cost-of-living challenges worsened these issues, shifting the profile of property ownership and straining visitor management.

Outside buyers outbidding locals has driven housing prices up, and a study in the Arrochar and Tarbet locality found 77% of owner-occupied properties sold (from a sample of 77) became holiday lets or second homes. Population decline persists, particularly among families, putting the schools at risk. Argyll and Bute's 10-year projection shows a 6% drop, contrasting Scotland's overall growth. All the while Luss faces unmanageably high visitor numbers, estimated to be at least 850k each year, while Arrochar & Tarbet struggles with encouraging the large numbers of walkers passing through each year to stop and spend money in the local economy.

Consultation

During preparation of the Plan, an extensive programme of engagement was undertaken, focused at three levels: community; businesses; and with key stakeholders. The community engagement was carried out in collaboration with two steering groups, one in Luss & Arden, and one in Arrochar, Tarbet & Ardlui. A total of 120 individuals shared aspirations for Luss & Arden, with 28% of the local population participating, while 293 individuals shared aspirations for Arrochar, Tarbet, Succoth & Ardlui, with 36% participation. Key messages from the consultations highlighted common themes across both communities: shortages of affordable housing and workers, concerns about tourism impact, and the need for improved community facilities and infrastructure. Additionally, retaining young people and enhancing road safety emerged as priorities.

Stakeholder engagement took place in the form of three dedicated workshops, which in addition to feeding back to the stakeholders the findings of the community consultation, encouraged discussion about the competing priorities and challenges that characterise working in the National Park setting. The workshops were attended by representatives from:

• Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park Authority

• Argyll & Bute Council

• Transport Scotland

• Visit Scotland

• NatureScot

• Luss & Arden Community Council

• Luss & Arden Development Trust

• Arrochar, Tarbet & Ardlui Community Council

• Arrochar, Tarbet & Ardlui Development Trust

• Friends of Loch Lomond

• Police Scotland – could not attend

• Scotrail

• Forestry and Land Scotland – could not attend

• Dunbritton Housing Association

• Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA)

• Curb Scotland (Link)

Striking a Balance

The Plan outlines future development proposals across the Estate. Proposed outcomes include growing the permanent communities with diverse housing options, collaborating on improved traffic management, establishing a safe walking and cycling route between Arrochar and Tarbet, creating a community fund, and altering land use to boost access, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration.

Yet, tensions persist at various levels, impacting daily life within the park due to policy and economic factors. West Loch Lomondside, renowned for its natural beauty, draws visitors globally while also serving as a residential and work hub for rural communities navigating remote and seasonal challenges.

Development and land use planning in this context often appear at odds. Balancing sustaining local communities and fostering business amidst conserving natural beauty and addressing climate change and biodiversity concerns poses significant challenges. Finding equilibrium requires thoughtful compromise while staying focused on sustaining thriving communities across the Estate and the wider Park area. The Plan aims to chart a viable path forward, fostering sustainable communities within West Loch Lomondside's natural splendor while addressing climate and biodiversity crises.

Carbon

In 2023, Luss Estates Company conducted a carbon audit to assess their environmental impact and outline strategies for carbon reduction and sequestration over the next 20-30 years. Currently, the estate is carbon negative with successful initiatives such as a community hydroelectric power

scheme, peatland restoration projects, biomass boiler heating for the local hotel, and extensive tree planting. However, the audit revealed that 73% of carbon emissions originate from livestock enterprises, demonstrating the challenges in land management with respect to farming and grazing.

Building on this good work to-date, the Land Use and Development Plan includes a dedicated section on the Environment, setting out proposals for the next decade which include:

· Four projects to decarbonise the local energy system, including two additional hydroelectric schemes.

· Rebalanced land use to enhance carbon sequestration and biodiversity through deer and sheep population control, nature regeneration schemes, and management of non-native invasive species.

· Promotion of an Agri-Environment Climate Scheme to incentivise sustainable practices.