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The Contribution of the Natural Heritage to Better Placemaking

Government policy aims to create attractive and well-designed sustainable places where people want to live and work, which promote better health and enable the transition to a low-carbon economy. This statement outlines the contribution of the natural heritage to achieving these social, economic and environmental outcomes. It also identifies the role of Scottish Natural Heritage in enhancing this contribution through its engagement in the policy and practice of place-making. The statement applies to both urban and rural settlements, and to both new and existing settlements.

The quality of the natural heritage in and around settlements has an important contribution to make to place-making and sustainability. In particular the nature and landscapes around where we live and work can enhance our quality of life, underpin individual health and wellbeing, contribute to our sense of place and identity, and support a strong economy. High quality natural environments are therefore vital in making better places.

Place-making is the product of the interaction between people and the planning, management and use of the built and natural environment around them. Improving the natural heritage in settlements to benefit both people and nature requires a collaborative approach involving communities and a range of other organisations in the public and private sector.

We would especially welcome your comments on the policy statement itself and the illustrative examples, but comments on any of the 4 consultation documents below are welcome:

  • Policy statement  PDF document - outlines the role that the natural heritage can play in making sustainable places and SNH's role in helping to deliver this in practice. Do you agree with the approach outlined? Are there any major omissions or missed opportunities? What are the priority areas of work for SNH to concentrate on?
  • Illustrative examples  PDF document   - shows how The contribution of the natural heritage to better place-making could apply at different scales from individual buildings to landscape. The outcomes here are what we aspire to, but they depend on actions taken across the public and private sector, working with local communities. Are the main outcomes clear? Questions on how best to present this material are included in the document.
  • Background and context  PDF document   - describes the policy context, the main qualities of better places and the role of the natural heritage in contributing to them.

In addition, we have carried out an assessment of the environmental effects likely to result from the Statement under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. Our findings are presented in the Environmental Report  PDF document .

Please send your comments to strategy@snh.gov.uk by Friday 11 March 2011.