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Planning

Planning has a vital role to play in achieving Scotland's goal of sustainable growth. We are working with others to help find sustainable solutions and make good development happen, in the right places. Scotland's nature and landscapes underpin Scotland's economy and attractiveness as a place to live and do business. Local authorities and developers therefore have a big role to play in helping to protect and enhance this asset. Good planning decisions also underpin the move to a low-carbon economy for Scotland.


Find out how planners and developers see the way ahead in this 3 minute film.

Scottish Natural Heritage is a statutory adviser within the planning system, to Government and to local authorities. We are a statutory consultee for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Environmental Impact Assessment and for development affecting areas designated as of national or European natural heritage importance. Our role is to help ensure that natural heritage interests are properly taken into account in planning decisions - by choice of appropriate sites for development, by avoiding significant damage to important natural heritage interests, and by advising on mitigation action to minimise other adverse effects on nature. Our role includes advice:

  • to planning authorities
  • to Scottish Government under Electricity Act procedures, eg on both onshore and offshore renewable energy proposals
  • to Transport Scotland, on major transport infrastructure projects and plans such as the Strategic Transport Projects Review
  • to Reporters at Public Local Inquiries
  • to Forestry Commission Scotland on woodland creation schemes

Planning reform

We are engaged in the Scottish Government's work on Planning Reform, and work with key partners to deliver the expectations set out in Scottish Government's Common Statement external site . We will

  • help to deliver a faster planning process by focusing on development planning and the pre-application stage of development management
  • make our data, information and guidance more easily available
  • focus our advice on individual developments on proposals which could significantly affect the quality and enjoyment of Scotland's natural heritage
  • make full use of e-planning to streamline interaction between planning authorities, developers and SNH

Planning in the marine environment

Following the passage of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 external site , our work on planning will include input to marine planning to deliver sustainable use of Scotland's coast and seas.