Vision & Management Plans for National Nature Reserves

Description

Development of vision and management plans for the NNRs in the Trust's care. Lot 1: The Trust has developed a tailored approach to planning for the properties in its portfolio, building upon decades of internal activity in this area. The current approach, which has been evolving since 2018, is based upon rigour of process and analysis of relevant information rather than completion of a standardised template. This process-based approach is needed because of the diverse nature of our properties – each site requiring a slightly different emphasis and slightly different understanding – but is firmly based on best practice and sector guidance. Fundamentally we want our planning documents within the Trust to provide the best possible basis upon which to manage change at our properties for decades to come. We therefore want to apply rigour to the process while allowing flexibility in the format of end product to fit the needs of each individual site. This model has to date been more widely applied to properties which have a strong built element, with a gated entry/pay barrier and manned facilities on site. We have applied the approach less to our National Nature Reserves and larger countryside estates although do have good examples of the approach being applied in this context. However, we are aware that our NNR and countryside sites bring with them their own unique set of requirements which we wish to understand better and ingrain into our current planning process. We are therefore looking for an experienced consultant to help us: - Identify current gaps in process, data and understanding for planning in relation to our NNRs and suggest where industry standard approaches/best practice could be applied to address these gaps; - Develop in consultation with the Head of Heritage Planning an approach, strongly aligned to our VMP process, which best fits the needs of our NNR properties. The approach should provide for a sustainable program of development and update of plans by site staff whilst ensuring rigour and robustness of output; - Test the approach at a selection of our NNR sites, working with site team, regional staff and specialist teams to develop a long term Vision and Management Plan for the property. We envisage this will include our NNR at Corrieshalloch Gorge Corrieshalloch Gorge | National Trust for Scotland (nts.org.uk) (further information on all sites will be provided on appointment). This stage of activity will result in the production of complete NNR Vision and Management Plans for ideally 3 or 4 NNR sites. These plans will be consulted on and agreed with relevant staff and presented to our Executive Committee for approval; - Finalise the approach in light of the above activity; - Suggest next steps required to address any gaps in data and provide feedback on any organisational context or strategic thinking which is currently lacking.