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CONTEXT
Relationship with other plans, programmes or strategies ( PPS) and environmental objectives
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the Environmental Report includes an outline of the relationships between SPP14 and other relevant plans, programmes or strategies ( PPS). It is particularly important to consider how environmental protection objectives should be taken into account in the preparation of the SPP.
This section summarises these issues and describes the policy context within which SPP14 will operate, and the constraints and targets that this context imposes.
Table A in Appendix A lists the plans, programmes, strategies and environmental objectives that we have analysed for their relationship with SPP14. Drawing on the initial analysis, key objectives that should be taken into account in the preparation of the SPP14 include the following:
Table 1: Summary of environmental objectives of relevant plans, policies and strategies, and implications for SPP14
Summary of environmental objectives | Summary of implications for SPP14 |
|---|
In relation to biodiversity, provisions for the protection of key habitats and species are established in several international policy statements including the European Habitats Directive and Birds Directive. Cross European Strategies support these formal conservation commitments and encourage cross boundary action. Scottish legislative provisions include the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy. | The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy should be taken into account and built into the SPP, given that NPPG14 predated these documents. Important to also review and act on Europe-wide issues, including decline of semi natural and natural resources, the importance of natural networks and consideration of biodiversity at a broad scale, and the continuing strength of internationally designated priority habitats and species. Links with landscape related policy should also be taken into account (see below). |
Landscape driven policy objectives have focused on the designation and protection of key areas of recognised value. However, they have also increasingly emphasised the value of broader areas in addition to those which have been designated for protection. Policies seek to manage change to avoid loss of landscape character from natural and human processes. Restoration ( e.g. naturalisation through forestry restructuring) and other types of enhancement are also accepted policy aims. The potential economic value of high quality environments / landscapes (designated and non designated), and their role as a tool for learning has become more widely recognised and should be reflected at a strategic level within land use planning policies and proposals. | This policy context provides an important steer for the development of SPP14. In particular, it is important that the implications of more recent commitments, including the European Landscape Convention, are reflected in the policy review. In addition, up to date information on vulnerable landscapes and drivers of change should be taken into account. |
Cultural heritage priorities include protecting designated sites and valued resources and their settings; recognising the cultural aspects of landscape and establishing mechanisms for their protection; and recognising the potential value of unknown and undesignated resources. Also included Policies in the Scottish Historic Environment Policy ( SHEP) series aim to achieve positive and sustainable stewardship of the historic environment. Current national planning policies are provided in NPPG5 and NPPG18, which particularly aim to promote protection of key resources and their settings from inappropriate development and to help achieve enhancement where possible and appropriate. | SPP14 should complement this policy framework as far as possible, and seek to avoid any tensions between natural heritage conservation and enhancement, and cultural heritage policy priorities. In turn, many of the policies that have been developed for cultural heritage resources are likely to also benefit natural heritage resources, if appropriately implemented, and vice versa. |
Key population related policies include the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which has introduced wider access rights for walkers, cyclists and riders; is leading to the development of core path plans in every local authority area; and has stimulated numerous community land ownership projects. Other policies include statements of regeneration priorities, and planning policy relating to housing land provision. Health objectives are defined for Scotland primarily in national strategies and policies. Key aims include reducing health inequalities and promoting higher levels of physical activity. This is translated into land use policy partly by SPP11(consultation draft) that aims to promote outdoor recreation as a contribution to physical activity targets. | The SPP should take this broader policy context into account. Some contributions to the health and social inclusion agendas might be developed within the SPP, primarily via the environmental justice agenda. There may be benefit in giving further consideration to the positive and negative effects of the Land Reform agenda on water and land based biodiversity. Possible tensions with wider social objectives, including housing provision and regeneration should be considered, so that potential mutually beneficial solutions could be identified. Overall, however, the new access framework aims to reconcile recreation and conservation, and increased participation in outdoor activities should lead to greater understanding of the natural heritage. |
Soil policies and legislation include a new European Strategy for Soil Protection that aims to address natural and man made pressures on soil quality, including wind and water erosion and loss of organic content. In Scotland, planning related soil policy currently remains largely focused on specific issues, such as the restoration of mineral workings and the reclamation of derelict and contaminated land (see PAN33). A National Soil Strategy is currently in preparation. | The SPP should support broader aims to maintain and improve soil quality where possible. The ecological and landscape value of soils should be recognised. The relationship between biodiversity, landscape objectives and policies and advice that promote reclamation and reuse of brownfield and contaminated land should be considered alongside recognition of the potential biological value of such sites. |
Water policies in Scotland are primarily driven by the aims of the EC Water Framework Directive, as translated into Scots law by the WEWS Act 2003. Key objectives include achieving improved water quality and sustaining adequate supplies of drinking water, water pressure etc. River Basin Management Plans, which are currently in preparation, will provide more specific objectives. Current national planning policies relating to water primarily focus on flooding and drainage. | Useful to note wider policies for the water environment which could support, and be supported by, SPP14. Emphasis on combining measures of general water quality with more biodiversity specific targets, particularly at sites and in relation to species which are water dependent. |
A number of objectives have been established in relation to air quality, including targets set in relation to specific pollutants, most notably greenhouse gases but also in terms of other potentially damaging emissions ( EC Directive 1996/62/ EC and its daughter directive 1999/30/ EC). This has been taken forward in a national air quality strategy. | The National Air Quality Strategy aims to reduce the effects of air pollution on ecosystems, as well as focusing on other aspects of the environment. SPP14 is therefore supported by this policy context. Scope to contribute to the measures proposed is relatively limited. |
Climate related policy raises a number of objectives, relating to both climate change mitigation and adaptation. Commitments range from the international level to national level - most recently set out in 'Changing our Ways'(2006). | Important to recognise that natural heritage can be affected by climate change, but that there is also scope to contribute positively to mitigation and adaptation policy aspirations. SPP14 should recognise and reflect the broader implications of climate change (as recorded in the baseline) and should also explore scope to contribute to its associated policy framework. |
Material assets covers a range of policy sectors but, for the purposes of the SEA, economic development and renewable energy have been identified as particularly relevant contextual policies. Policies relating to land uses, including forestry and agriculture, also provide an important broader context and reinforce the importance of environmental sustainability. Rural development aspirations also reflect an increasingly positive approach to rural areas but nevertheless values, and seeks to protect, important natural heritage resources. | There is an important role for land use planning, biodiversity and landscape resources to play in supporting economic development, and the repercussions of associated land use change could be reflected within the SPP. Similarly, biodiversity can be supported by the broader benefits of renewable energy, but there is a potentially useful role for SPP14 to play in supporting and guiding the implementation of SPP6. Links with policy aspirations to achieve more environmentally sustainable forestry and agriculture sectors should also be supported by the SPP where possible and appropriate. SPP14 should explore how environmental protection and enhancement can support wider policy aspirations for rural areas. |
General objectives relating to sustainable development include shared themes defined at a UK wide level, and Scottish commitments. Specific planning aims are set out in a range of other SPPs, including SPP1. | The SPP, like others in the series, should support the overall policy emphasis on sustainable development. SPP14 has a particular role to play in promoting environmental resources as an integral part of sustainable development, where possible achieving positive synergies between conservation and enhancement of the environment, and social and economic aspirations and challenges. The role of the SPP in safeguarding unique and often irreplaceable environmental resources for future generations should be emphasised. |
We would welcome views on this analysis, and suggestions for any additional contextual sources to include in this part of the assessment.
Relevant aspects of the current state of the environment
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 Schedule 3 requires that the Environmental Report includes a description of the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without implementation of the PPS, and "the environmental characteristics of areas likely to be significantly affected". This section therefore begins to describe the environmental context within which SPP14 will operate and the constraints and targets that this context infers.
In order to define the current state of the environment with a view to informing the SEA of SPP14, we expect to combine spatial (mapped), statistical and more qualitative information. It is proposed that the following data sources are used to provide a baseline for the assessment.
Table 2: Baseline data sources
Topic area | Baseline data sources |
|---|
Biodiversity, flora and fauna | Statutory Designated Sites (area and location, including SACs, SPAs, Ramsar Sites, SSSIs) BAP Species and Habitats (Scottish Natural Heritage/ Joint Nature Conservation Committee) National Parks, National Nature Reserves, Biosphere reserves Local designations - LNRs, SINCs etc (mapped where possible) Land cover data SBAP / SNH / JNCC data - key protected species and habitats, declining species and habitats under pressure (* see endnote) Widespread Breeding Land Birds (British Trust for Ornithology/Royal Society for Protection of Birds) Countryside Survey 2003 SNH Natural Heritage Futures, Natural Heritage Trends / Site Condition Monitoring data Ancient Semi-natural Woodland ( ASNW) - SNH survey. Relevant indicators from the Scottish Forestry Strategy Implementation Plan 2007 SEPA State of Scotland's Environment (2006) |
Landscape | National Scenic Areas, SNH Wild Land Areas of Search, National Parks, Local landscape designations (mapped data) SNH Natural Heritage Futures Prospectus SNH Landscape Character Assessments Emerging data on the economic value of environmental assets Spatial analysis of landscape vulnerabilities drawing on established datasets (to be explored further) |
Cultural heritage, including architectural and archaeological heritage | World Heritage Sites, Listed Buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Conservation Areas, Inventory of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes (Historic Scotland / mapped data) Historic Land Use Assessment (applicability to be discussed further with Historic Scotland) Historic Scotland State of the Historic Environment Report (planned for publication in 2007) |
Population and human health | Census 2001 data including general population statistics Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2006 Scottish Recreation Survey 2006 |
Soil | SEPA State of Scotland's Environment (2006) Scotland's Soil Resource - Current State and Threats (2006) |
Water | Main rivers and associated biodiversity designations (see above) River Water Quality (Length of Poor and Seriously Polluted Rivers in Scotland 1995-2005) ( SEPA) SEPA National Water Quality Classification 2005 ( SEPA) SEPARBMP Characterisation Reports (2005) SEPA State of Scotland's Environment (2006) SEPA Indicative River and Coastal Flood Map (Scotland) (2006) - application of data at strategic level to be considered further |
Air quality | SEPA State of Scotland's Environment (2006) Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Source (Scotland) ( NETCEN) Number of Air Quality Management areas in Scotland (Scottish Executive) |
Climate | UKCIP02 scenarios SNIFFER 2006 Online Handbook of Climate Trends across Scotland, http://www.sniffer.org.uk/climatehandbook/ NETCEN data on greenhouse gas emissions Scottish Climate Change Programme 2006 SEPA State of Scotland's Environment 2006 |
Multi sectoral / non specific | Key Environment Trends (2006) compiled by the Scottish Executive State of Scotland's Environment ( SEPA, 2006) |
* NB: Bold denotes data gathered as part of the Scottish Executive's suite of Indicators of Sustainable Development 1
The following summarises the likely gaps and / or unreliability of the SEA baseline data, and how they were minimised:
- There appears to be no comprehensive national level information of the historic environment. An audit of national historic environment resources is currently in preparation and is due for publication later in 2007. In the meantime we have identified a number of other data sources that can be reviewed.
- Further information on national level landscape trends would be particularly beneficial in relation to this SPP. SNH has noted the need for more of this type of information to be collected and analysed - particularly in terms of land use change data.
- Information on the economic and other values of landscape is set out in pages 9-11 of the Scottish Landscape Forum's 2007 report to Scottish Ministers. The Forum may take forward further work to develop this theme and it may be useful to take this into account when if and when this emerges.
As with other national level SEAs that have recently been, or are currently being undertaken, we expect that one of the most challenging aspects of preparing a baseline for this SEA will be striking an appropriate balance between reviewing strategic level data, and gathering information that is sufficiently detailed to inform the assessment in a meaningful way.
We therefore intend to focus the review of the environmental baseline on gathering information that is required to aid the decision making process at the national strategic level. We believe this reflects current good practice and current guidance in SEA.
Summary of key environmental problems
The Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005 requires that the Environmental Report includes a description of existing environmental problems, in particular those relating to any areas of particular environmental importance. The findings from the analysis undertaken for SPP14 are set out below, and are subsequently summarised in Table 3.
Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna
Of the UKBAP priority habitats and priority species found in Scotland, by 2005 around 33% of habitats and 32% of species were stable or are improving, whilst 30% of habitats and 14% of species were in decline 2. The condition of the remainder is unknown, unclear or fluctuating. SNH undertakes monitoring of the condition of Scotland's designated sites. Recently released figures 3 show that 71% of the sites monitored were found to be in favourable or 'unfavourable recovering' condition. Further restoration and enhancement will therefore be required to meet the stated targets of achieving favourable condition in 80% of sites by 2008 and 95% by 2010.
SEPA provides further information on the current state of Scottish biodiversity. It notes that climate change is already having an impact on biodiversity, and that other processes including urbanisation, land use change and the spread of non-native species will make it difficult to reach stated biodiversity targets 4 Although agriculture is noted by SEPA to be a key cause of habitat loss and degradation, SEERAD figures show that there has been a steady increase in the overall area of land which is managed under agri-environment schemes in Scotland 5. SEPA also refer to SNH's natural heritage trends reports, which identified loss of neutral grassland, particularly in the uplands and islands, dwarf shrub heath, acid grassland and bog as key problems. This is confirmed by the broader Countryside Survey 2003, which monitored change in broad groups of habitats between 1990 and 1998, and showed that there was a substantial decrease in semi natural habitats in Scotland in this period (-88,000 hectares).
Climate change is likely to exacerbate established pressures on biodiversity resources, and therefore has the potential to increasingly compromise site based conservation measures. As a result, there has been a growing emphasis on the development of broader scale measures for protection and conservation including the commitment in the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to removing barriers to species movement and dispersal and positively improving connections between habitats. Data gathered for UKCIP under the MONARCH project 6 provides further insights into the likely repercussions of climate change. Although it is predicted that most species will find 'suitable climate space' when climate change affects their habitats, the northern range margins of species are predicted to move northwards, and some species will take over areas where others had previously been important ( e.g. spread of bracken and western gorse into montane / upland heath habitats). The Central Highlands was one of four case studies for this research, demonstrating problems such as loss of suitable climate space for dwarf shrub land cover and, conversely, a large increase in the area which is suitable for neutral grassland. The modelling also showed that changes affecting the canopy and ground flora will have eventual implications for the composition and structure of the woodland.
Landscape
The European Landscape Convention states that landscapes across Europe are being transformed as a result of a number of factors, including settlement expansion, transport and infrastructure and the economy. 7
Collectively, the series of landscape character assessments prepared by SNH provides a useful 'snapshot' of the characteristics of Scotland's landscapes and this is translated to a strategic level in SNH's Natural Heritage Futures Statements. As part of this, SNH prepared a national assessment of Scotland's landscapes that sets out nationally significant resources, pressures and opportunities 8. This is a useful resource, that will be explored in more detail as part of the more detailed baseline assessment. The report notes that landscapes are constantly evolving, but that forces for change vary between gradual natural processes and human activity that results in more pronounced and often negative change. Key challenges include land use change, incremental change arising from development and changes in perceptions. The different qualities of regional landscapes are set out, and it is emphasised that some areas are much more vulnerable to specific types of change than others ( e.g. transitional landscapes, strategic transport corridors etc). SNH has committed to adding to this dataset, including by undertaking more landscape capacity work and other analysis in the future. The establishment of SNH's Landscape Policy Framework (2005) and the Scottish Landscape Forum in 2006 aims to raise awareness of the special qualities and vulnerabilities of Scottish landscapes. Further consideration of the Forum's emerging work on the economic benefits of landscapes (and biodiversity) should be undertaken within the assessment.
Cultural Heritage, including architectural and archaeological heritage
Scotland has over 47,000 listed buildings and almost 600 conservation areas. 386 sites are identified in the Inventory of Historic Gardens and Designed Landscapes 9. In terms of archaeology, NPPG5 10 notes that the actual extent of archaeological remains in Scotland is unknown, with the 7803 Scheduled Ancient Monuments representing only a small proportion of the 70,000 sites and monuments for which there are records, and the many more unrecorded sites and unknown resources throughout the country.
The historic environment can be threatened by inappropriate development; and economic decline, loss of viable use, population change and neglect are issues of relevance to both designated and non-designated sites 11. Land use change, including forestry activity, biomass projects and agriculture can also have significant repercussions for the historic environment. Rural policies, as outlined in Appendix A, are increasingly encouraging development and diversification that can benefit or adversely impact on the historic environment, by promoting the reuse of historic buildings, or new development within traditional landscapes. .
Population and human health
A key link between this topic area and population, is the interrelationship between social deprivation and poor quality living environments. Research undertaken for the Scottish Executive in 2004-5 12 showed that whether or not someone lives in a deprived area is the most significant determinant of concern about environmental problems in their area. The attitudinal surveys undertaken as part of this research also showed that there was a very significant gap between perceptions of those living in the most and least deprived areas of Scotland. Further evidence 13 confirms that there are particularly strong links between social exclusion and poor environmental quality that is brought about by industrial pollution, derelict land, poor river water quality and air pollution.
This information forms an interesting and challenging context for the development of the SPP. It might be particularly relevant and useful for the SEA to explore the extent to which the SPP helps to address environmental injustices. Data that supports the broader social baseline is also of general relevance to the assessment, such as the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation which provides spatial analysis of multiple factor induced 'social need'. In general, it is anticipated that the SPP should seek to not only avoid exacerbating social and health problems, but may also be able to, at least indirectly, help to reduce them and contribute positively to overall wellbeing. For example, by encouraging improved opportunities for access to greenspace and enjoyment of the natural heritage by all communities.
Soil
Scotland's soils are diverse and differ markedly from the rest of the UK. The biodiversity of Scotland's soils was recently described as a 'true scientific frontier'. Despite a lack of data on the subject, it is recognised that some specifically Scottish habitats, such as Scots pine woodland, machair and deep peat each have unique soil characteristics. Some soil organisms are included within BAPs as protected species, including fungi and ephemeral soil dwellers, but much more research is required to allow the ecological value of soil in Scotland to be fully understood. 14 Soils also form an important and integral element of landscapes.
Damage to soil, particularly that caused by changes to moisture content, contamination and invasive species will have repercussions for biodiversity and landscape 15 and there is also growing concern that these problems could be exacerbated by climate change. Linking with air pollution issues, acidification and nutrient enrichment continue to affect both soil and water resources, and this in turn can have significant repercussions for biodiversity. Although key pollutants are in decline, 16 acidification is particularly problematic in upland areas including the small areas of the Cairngorms, Galloway and the western and central Highlands where there are also potentially high value ecosystems. SEPA has emphasised that biological recovery from acidification is slow and could be hindered to some extent by climate change as a result of the long timescales required 17.
Water
The length of poor or seriously polluted rivers in Scotland reduced by 34% between 1999 and 2005 18. Whilst this is encouraging, SEPA continues to work towards specific targets such as levels of compliance for licences issued under the Control of Pollution Act, and diffuse pollution remains a problem.
The water environment forms an important part of the context within which the SPP will be developed. The SPP is likely to have a role to play in recognising and protecting the biodiversity and landscape value of water bodies, including coasts, lochs, river systems and wetlands, and in turn the the quality of Scotland's water environment (and the provisions of the WEWS Act 2003) should influence the direction of the SPP.
Air
Air pollution can have repercussions for many aspects of quality of life, including human health and biodiversity. Targets set by the UK Air Quality Strategy have generally been met, including in relation to PM10, NO2 and SO2. However, there continue to be problems with reducing CO2 emissions. Record levels of ozone depletion were recorded over Scotland in 2005, with a 5% decline in stratospheric ozone recorded over the last 20 years. Ground level ozone levels are a further growing problem. In Scotland, key sources of air pollution include the energy sector, and transport. Overall, although air quality is improving, further measures will be required to avoid secondary impacts from air pollution on land and water based ecosystems.
Climatic Factors
The long-term increase in temperatures in the UK and Scotland has accelerated over the past three years, showing that "there is now evidence that human activities are having a discernable impact on the global climate"19. The UKCIP02 20 climate change scenarios predict that by the 2080s temperatures will rise by up to 3.5 o in the summer and 2.5 o in the winter, and that there will also be changes in precipitation, snowfall (up to a 90% reduction), seasonality, cloud cover, humidity, wind speeds, soil moisture, extreme weather (especially rainfall events) and seasons, and sea levels as a result of climate change. Spatial patterns of climate change within Scotland are predicted to vary. For example, summer rainfall is expected to reduce by 10% in most of the country except the north west, and much more substantial increases in spring and autumn rainfall in the south west and north east of the country are envisaged. Further evidence of Scottish climate change has been provided in research by SNIFFER. 21 This includes data showing a 25% reduction in frost days since 1961, a shorter snow season and a lengthened growing season. Many of these trends appear to be most significant in north and west regions of Scotland.
Climate change predictions and their repercussions for biodiversity are discussed above. Climate change could have many different impacts on other aspects of the environment, including water resources and landscape. The Scottish Climate Change Programme 22 sets out the way in which it is intended that Scotland continues to contribute to the climate change agenda, through both demand and supply driven measures for mitigation, and increasingly in terms of adaptation. It notes that Scotland has achieved a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions of 14% between 1990 and 2003, but recommends further action in relation to energy, transport, business and residential development. The programme notes that the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy recognises the additional challenges for biodiversity arising from climate change in Scotland, and states that further research on island ecosystems is also being undertaken. Adaption strategies may include maintenance of natural floodplains and managed coastal retreat and the SPP could consider the natural heritage implications of such measures.
Material Assets
The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey 23 indicates that there was a total of 10,386 hectares of derelict and urban vacant land in Scotland in 2006. This reflects a substantial decline over the preceding decade, from more that 15,000 hectares in 1993, largely as a result of redevelopment, but also partly due to naturalisation of some areas. Much of the country's derelict and vacant land is concentrated in North Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Highland (with these areas together accounting for 44% of the total). Around a fifth of the land has been derelict or urban vacant for more than 25 years. Specific problems and opportunities arise as a result of contaminated and derelict land, and it is important that the SEA is based on recognition of the biological and landscape weaknesses and strengths of these areas. Vacant and derelict land may offer opportunities for enhancement to green networks, landscape, habitats and recreation, although it should be noted that some such sites can have natural heritage interests in their current condition.
Summary of environmental problems
The SPP has the potential to help address some existing environmental problems, particularly those relating to biodiversity and landscape. Whilst numerous environmental problems currently exist in Scotland, it is important for the SEA to focus on those which are most relevant to this SPP. These environmental problems are summarised in Table 3 below.
Table 3. Summary of environmental problems relevant to SPP14
Problem | Supporting data (where available at this stage) | Implications for SPP14 |
|---|
Decline in overall area of semi-natural habitats in Scotland. | Countryside Survey 2003 / State of Scotland's Environment Report ( SEPA, 2006) | Important to note that declining biodiversity in Scotland requires to be recognised and where possible supported by the provisions of the SPP. |
Climate change, urbanisation and other processes leading to habitat loss and fragmentation. Habitat core area and connectivity will become more important as climate change progresses | SNH Natural Heritage Trends and Site Condition Monitoring | This evolving ecological context provides a key challenge to which the SPP should respond. |
Inappropriate development and wider urban and rural decline pose ongoing threats to designated, undesignated and unknown landscapes, undermining their natural and cultural heritage value | SNH Landscape Discussion Paper. Woodland Working Group Report, May 2007 "Scottish Biodiversity Strategy: The Impact Of Development On Woodland Of High Biodiversity Value: Review And Recommendations" | As with biodiversity, Scotland's landscapes continue to evolve, providing considerable scope for the land use planning system to help positively direct and manage change in such a way that landscape quality and distinctiveness is retained. The SPP potentially has a key role to play in helping to address these environmental problems. |
Landscape change, standardisation and loss of distinctiveness. Pressure on greenspace in and around settlements, as well as broader / rural landscape change. Hot spots / areas of high pressure for land use change ( e.g. trunk road corridors, firths etc.) | SNH Natural Heritage Framework / SNH's Landscape Policy Framework | As above. Scope for spatial targeting of initiatives might be usefully explored within the development of the SPP. |
Cumulative impacts from development on designated and non designated landscapes | SNH's Landscape Policy Framework | As above. For example, development types and geographic areas that are particularly causing, or suffering from, cumulative effects could form a focus within the provisions of the SPP relating to development management. |
Soil erosion, primarily caused by wind and water and potentially exacerbated as climate change progresses. Soil sealing, which interferes with the ability of the land to process water, resulting in increased flooding and depletion of groundwater flows. | SEPA State of Scotland's Environment 2006 | The particular and growing problems with the soil environment reinforce the importance of sustainably managing development and safeguarding environmental resources as far as possible. The SPP may have a role to play in supporting soil management and enhancement objectives. |
Damage to soils, water and habitats by acidification and eutrophication, particularly in light of the potential for climate change to exacerbate this further | Scottish Executive Key Environment Statistics SEPA State of Scotland's Environment 2006 | As above |
Climate change trends are already established and predicted to continue and potentially accelerate, requiring further mitigation and adaptation responses. In Scotland, climate change could have growing secondary and /or cumulative repercussions for the environment, including biodiversity and landscape quality | SNIFFER research UKCIP02 scenarios Scottish Climate Change Programme | It is important that the SPP anticipates changes to biodiversity and landscape arising from climate change, and where possible provides adaptation solutions. A balance may also need to be struck between 'natural' measures for climate change mitigation ( e.g. tree planting for carbon sequestration, biomass projects) and fulfilling more localised biodiversity and landscape objectives ( e.g. potential impacts on landscapes of large scale or incongruous tree planting, effects on open habitats etc.) |
Ongoing need to reclaim / redevelop contaminated or derelict land, as supported by national planning policy | Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey (2006) | The SPP could play a role in balancing solutions to this problem with the need to recognise the potential natural heritage value of derelict and contaminated land. |
Likely evolution of the environment without SPP14
Without the revision of SPP14 existing environmental trends are likely to continue.
Whilst it is possible to envisage continuing improvements to the environment, as a result of sector-specific policies (such as work undertaken under the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Plans and LBAPs) the potential for these to have substantial positive impacts at a national level could be reduced if no strategic national level policy is in place to interpret the implications for land use planning.
Further consideration of this scenario will be undertaken within the assessment itself.
We would welcome views on our review of environmental problems that are particularly relevant to SPP14.
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