National Scenic Areas: planning guidance

The Government's Scottish Planning Policy  provides a policy framework for planning matters. The relevant policy guideline for National Scenic Areas is contained in paragraph 137, which states:

"137. A National Scenic Area (NSA) is an area which is nationally important for its scenic quality... Development that affects an NSA... should only be permitted where:

• it will not adversely affect the integrity of the area or the qualities for which it has been designated, or
  
• any such adverse effects are clearly outweighed by social, environmental or economic benefits of national importance."

National Scenic Areas: planning background

National Scenic Areas were established by Order of the Secretary of State in 1980 under planning legislation. The 40 NSAs were identified by the Countryside Commission for Scotland and are defined in its publication, Scotland's Scenic Heritage  , as areas of "national scenic significance... of unsurpassed attractiveness which must be conserved as part of our national heritage".

The stricter development control regime which applies in NSAs is described in SDD Circulars 20/1980 and 9/1987. It is required that SNH be consulted on certain categories of development within NSAs and permitted development rights are more limited than elsewhere. Planning authorities should take particular care to ensure that new development in or adjacent to an NSA does not detract from the quality or character of the landscape. They should also ensure that the scale, siting and design of such development are appropriate and that the design and landscaping are of a high standard.

NSA Management Strategies

Dumfries & Galloway Council has been pioneering the use of Management Strategies  to guide development in the three National Scenic Areas in the region. These have been adopted as supplementary planning guidance. The council also employs a dedicated NSA officer to oversee implementation of the strategies.