Progressing proposals quickly

We are committed to helping developers and planners so that they can progress development proposals as swiftly and efficiently as possible, while ensuring that proper account is taken of Scotland's nature and landscapes.

For us this means:

• Better engagement with developers and planners at the pre-application stage.
• Ensuring that requests for information and analysis are proportionate to the potential risks to nature and landscapes.
• Streamlining our consultation processes and using ePlanning to speed things up.
• Focussing our efforts on proposals which could significantly affect the quality and enjoyment of Scotland's natural heritage.
• Making our data, information and guidance more easily available through our website.

Developers can help us do this by:

• Carrying out surveys of protected plants and animals, and identifying ways of looking after these, at an earlier stage in the process.
• Taking proper account of nature and landscapes at the design stage of a new proposal, with reference to good practice.
• Engaging with us at the pre-application stage.
• Improving the quality of Environmental Impact Assessments and other environmental appraisals.
• Carrying out scoping exercises for Environmental Impact Assessments.

Planners can help us do this by:

• Providing opportunities for better engagement of our staff and developers in development planning.
• Consulting with us only on larger developments and those that raise natural heritage issues of national importance.
• Identifying when protected species might be an issue and asking developers for surveys and mitigation where appropriate.