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Landscape and planning

The starting point: policy and principles

The European Landscape Convention and SNH's Landscape Policy Framework set out the fundamental principles behind policies and decisions which affect landscapes. 

Sustainable development external site  is founded on the ethical principle that people everywhere, now and in the future, should be able to meet social and economic needs whilst protecting the environment.  This is about wise use of natural resources and the belief that the quality of people's lives depends upon having a healthy and attractive environment.  These principles are central to the proper care and management of Scotland's landscapes.  For more information, see Sustainable Development and the Natural Heritage - The Scottish Natural Heritage approach, and Scottish Natural Heritage Policy Summary: Applying the precautionary principle which can be found in Scottish Natural Heritage's policy documents.

The basics: planning and design of development

The National Planning Framework (NPF2) external site sets out strategic development priorities for Scotland to 2030, to support the Government's central purpose of sustainable economic growth.

For all those in the development community, NPF2 captures the importance of caring for Scotland's landscapes.  It:

  • recognises Scotland's landscapes as a national asset of the highest value. 
  • states that realising the vision set out in NPF2 will 'require a strong commitment to protecting and enhancing the natural, built and cultural environments, which are essential components of our quality of life and unique economic assets'.
  • notes how Scotland's remoter mountain and coastal areas are very sensitive to any form of development or intrusive human activity, advocating great care to safeguard their wild land character.
  • notes that landscape and visual impacts will continue to be important considerations in decision-making on developments, as will the consideration of the cumulative effects of small-scale changes.

Scottish Planning Policy external site (SPP) is a statement of Scottish Government policy on land use planning. It gives guidance on how the Government's policies for the conservation and enhancement of Scotland's natural heritage should be reflected in land use planning.

Planning Advice Notes external site   (PANs) provide advice and information on technical planning matters.

Overarching PANs relevant to landscape are listed below.  For help with PANs for a particular type of development, see the links from our landscape, planning and development page.

PAN 60 Planning for Natural Heritage external site provides advice on how development and the planning system can contribute to the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment and understanding of the natural environment and encourages developers and planning authorities to be positive and creative in addressing nature and landscapes issues.  It includes examples of good planning practice in relation to landscape drawn from across Scotland.

Designing Places - A Policy Statement for Scotland external site

Places that are distinctive and designed with a real understanding of the natural world are likely to be enjoyed, cared for and valued. Designing Places sets out national planning policy support for higher design standards throughout rural and urban Scotland, and includes a section on Design in the landscape external site .  This describes how development designed to make the most of its setting in the landscape is likely to avoid today's common failing of looking and feeling as though it could be anywhere.  Understanding the landscape is the basis for knowing such essentials as what plant species will flourish, how drainage systems can work successfully and how buildings can best be sited.

Planning Advice Note 83 Masterplanning external site The PAN covers the masterplanning  process from beginning to end: from understanding the need for masterplanning, to preparing, creating, processing and implementing a masterplan.

Planning Advice Note 68 Design Statements external site explains what a design statement is, why it is a useful tool for developers and local authorities, when it is required and how it should be prepared and presented. The annex explains the design process.