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Soil function: platform for planning development

Soil function: platform for buildings and roads

Soils are the foundation for the built environment, but often become sealed under impermeable surface or it is removed from site.

Soils on development sites can be easily damaged during various stages of planning developments, leading to often substantial and irreversible loss of soil functionality and potential land contamination.

To ensure long-term environmental benefit and sustainability, planners need to recognise the role and values of local soil types in all aspects of development activities (e.g. Sustainable Urban Drainage Schemes (SUDS), wind farms, housing development, road and energy networks).

Threats to this soil function as defined in the Scottish Soil Framework

Minor effect

  • Contamination

No effect

  • Climate change: increased risk of foundation subsidence; increased risk of flooding and SUDS malfunction
  • Salinisation
  • Loss of organic matter
  • Sealing
  • Acidification and eutrophication
  • Loss of biodiversity
  • Soil erosion
  • Pesticides
  • Compaction and structural damage