The FGS Target Area dataset defines the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) Core and Fringe zones for the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020 Forestry Grant Scheme. It is based on the Scottish Government's Urban/Rural Classification 2011/12 dataset, which classifies postcode areas by settlement size and drive times. The dataset is provided by the Government Digital Service.
Use Cases
- Identify eligible areas for enhanced forestry grant rates based on CSGN Core or Fringe zone membership.
- Analyze the spatial relationship between new woodland creation proposals and the CSGN's strategic landscape.
- Support planning and policy evaluation for the National Planning Framework 2 (NPF2) national development priority.
- Map areas where higher costs for woodland creation are recognized to inform regional economic and environmental strategies.
Strengths
- Dataset is formally linked to a national policy framework (National Planning Framework 2) and a specific government programme (SRDP 2014-2020).
- Spatial definitions are derived from an official government classification dataset (Scottish Governments Urban/Rural Classification 2011/12).
- Provides clear operational rules for grant rate determination based on zone composition (e.g., >50% in fringe area).
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
Provenance
- Source
- Government Digital Service
- Collection Method
- Derived from the Scottish Governments Urban/Rural Classification 2011/12 dataset.
- Time Range
- Linked to the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2014-2020.
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Central Scotland, from Ayrshire and Inverclyde in the west to Fife and the Lothians in the east.