Shetland Islands Council has produced advice on enhancing biodiversity to assist developers, in line with current national planning policy.
The document is primarily aimed anyone undertaking smaller scale developments, such as local housing projects, but will also be useful for larger scale developments. It will also help anyone seeking to enhance biodiversity and support wildlife on their own land, or in community spaces.
The Advice Note is in line with the biodiversity requirements of current Scottish planning policy with, with developers required to “to protect biodiversity, reverse biodiversity loss, deliver positive effects from development and strengthen nature networks”.
The document asks developers to consider and assess existing biodiversity, to minimise the impacts of the proposed development, and to include measures to enhance biodiversity in Shetland. This may include planting of native species which are more suited to Shetland’s climate. Advice is also included on planting for pollinators, wildflower meadows, and planting trees, scrub and woodland in Shetland.
Staff in the Council’s Planning Service encourage any developers to discuss any potential projects before submitting any planning applications, to increase the chances of a successful planning application.
Advice Note 14 “Delivery of Biodiversity Enhancements on Local Developments” is available on the Council’s website to download here as a PDF file.
Notes for Editors
- National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is the national spatial strategy for Scotland. Policy 3 of NPF4 states that “Development proposals will contribute to the enhancement of biodiversity” NPF4 can be found at www.gov.scot/publications/national-planning-framework-4/documents/
- NatureScot has produced guidance on securing positive effects for biodiversity from local development, available at: www.nature.scot/doc/developing-nature-guidance