Our approach to planning and development
Scottish Natural Heritage is committed to helping the Scottish Government and planning authorities deliver a modern planning system that is fast and inclusive, and which delivers sustainable economic growth. Our Service Statement for Planning and Development 
sets out what Planning Authorities and other stakeholders can expect from SNH in relation to planning and development proposals.
Scotland's nature and landscapes underpin Scotland's economy and attractiveness as a place to live and do business, and local authorities and developers have a big role to play in helping to protect and enhance this asset. Find out how planners and developers see the way ahead in a 3 minute video on our 'Supporting the Scottish Economy - Planning' page.
We are working with planning authorities, developers and others to help deliver good development in the right places. We will:
- work with planning authorities on the preparation of Development Plans;
- engage with developers and planners at the pre-application stage to help developments happen in ways that enhance, rather than damage, Scotland's nature and landscapes;
- limit our use of objections to cases where a development proposal raises natural heritage issues of national interest. We have prepared more detailed guidance for our staff on how to identify such cases ;
- report regularly on our contribution to delivering planning reform through our Planning Performance Framework .
If you want to find out if we have a view about a development close to where you are, please contact your nearest local office of Scottish Natural Heritage.