3.2 Some of the very specific mitigation required to address potential negative effects of housebuilding as a form of development are likely to be addressed through the consideration of detailed guidance covering other policy areas. In addition to the coverage detailed in Table 3, Annex B of the final SPP has been included to demonstrate the interrelationship between SPP3 and relevant legislation, policy and guidance which must also be considered as part of the process of preparing policies and land allocations relevant to housing in development plans.
SEA issue / existing problem | Proposed measures for the reduction, prevention and offset of significant adverse effects | Relevant level of decision making / responsibility for measure | Reference within finalised SPP? |
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Protecting biodiversity: the baseline showed decline of semi natural habitats and continuing need to maintain and improve the condition of priority species and habitats. The SPP may have negative effects on biodiversity, depending on local site selection. | (1)1 Adverse effects on sites which are protected for biodiversity should be avoided through appropriate land allocations. | Local development plans and development management. SNH is likely to have a role in advising on this. | Sustainable Settlement Strategy approach required to consider. See paragraphs 56 - 59. |
(2) Long term effects on habitat networks should be taken into account within strategic housing land allocations. | Strategic development plans, development management. SNH is likely to have a role in advising on this. | As above. |
(3) Landscape scale effects on biodiversity should be taken into account, and mitigated through sustainable settlement strategies. | Strategic and local development plans. SNH is likely to have a role in advising on this. | As above. |
(4) Housing policies and proposals should link with broader commitments within policies and plans to biodiversity protection and enhancement. | Strategic and local development plans. SNH is likely to have a role in advising on this. | Paragraph 77 (landscape and open space) specifically refers. |
(5) Housing land allocations should ensure that existing green networks are taken into account, and plan for future enhancement through local level contributions to strategic scale networks. The effects of housing development should be offset by improvements to ecological and green networks. | Strategic and local development plans, open space strategies, development management. Local authorities should work with greenspace partnerships and others in the Greenspace Scotland network to deliver this. Further advice on this is provided in SPP11. | Paragraphs 56, 58 (sustainable settlement strategies), 60 (efficient use of land and buildings) and 77 (landscape and open space). |
(6) Selection of sites for new settlements should take protected sites and broader ecosystems into account. | Strategic and local development plans. (also role for Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative) SNH is likely to have a role in advising on this. | Paragraph 70 (expanded and new settlements). |
(7) The value of brownfield land for biodiversity should be taken into account, and effects of housing developments on the natural heritage value of these areas mitigated as far as possible. | Local development plans. SNH is likely to have a role in advising on this. | Paragraph 60 (efficient use of land and buildings). |
Achieving sustainable development patterns The SPP encourages development and allocation of housing land in a way which achieves sustainable settlement growth | (8) Consider and propose sustainable settlement patterns on the basis of capacity analysis. This should go beyond a review of available land to take into account environmental criteria, including water environment and infrastructure, biodiversity, landscape, accessibility by public transport, air quality, soil (including prime land) and cultural heritage. | Strategic and local development plans. A range of environmental bodies can advise on this aspect of capacity, and the broader assessment should be undertaken in partnership with the private sector and development industry as advised in the SPP. | Paragraphs 56 -75 (sustainable settlement strategies) |
(9) Seek to deliver expanded settlements and other new areas of housing which are accessible by public transport and maximise opportunities for walking and cycling. | Strategic and local development plans. Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative. | Paragraphs 68 - 72 (expanded and new settlements). |
(10) As with measures for biodiversity above, ensure housing development is supported by the protection and enhancement of green networks that incorporate opportunities for sustainable transport, outdoor recreation and increased physical activity, as well as providing biodiversity, landscape, cultural heritage and other environmental benefits. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | Paragraphs 48 (placemaking and design) and 56 (sustainable settlement strategies). |
The contribution of the housing sector to climate change mitigation and adaptation - energy sector emissions and fuel poverty. The SPP encourages developments which seek to minimise travel by road and reduce energy consumption. | (11) Promote energy efficiency and the use of domestic micro-renewables within the housing sector, by taking forward the recommendations of the Sullivan Report and SPP6 relating to new housing development. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | This is reflected in the text of the finalised SPP3 at paragraphs 51- 53 (energy efficiency). |
(12) Reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transport by prioritising public and active transport accessibility over car borne transport alternatives. | Strategic and local development plans and local transport plans. | Various references contained in text of SPP reflecting policy of SPP17. |
( 13) Encourage the use of sustainable construction materials to minimise the life cycle emissions of housing construction. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. Construction sector. | This is reflected in the text of the finalised SPP3 at paragraphs 48 and 51 (placemaking and design). |
(14) Consider whether there are opportunities to proactively target areas with likely concentrations of fuel poverty with energy efficiency and renewable energy provision (e.g. CHP, community renewables proposals). | Local development plans, master-planning and development management. Planning has a relatively limited influence on this issue - other sectors are likely to play a more important role in achieving this type of measure. | Not specifically referred to in SPP3, given the limits of planning in delivering this. |
Air quality. There are several existing AQMAs, primarily within the centre of urban areas, and also on some key transport routes. The increase in housing overall combined with an emphasis in brownfield land development within existing settlements, and potentially higher density development has the potential to exacerbate existing air quality issues. | (15) Ensure that the selection of land for housing takes into account existing air quality issues, including the location of Air Quality Management Areas ( AQMA). Additional land allocations should consider transport accessibility and minimise potential for increased travel distance overall. Large scale housing development should not be permitted where it exacerbates existing air quality problems. | Strategic and local development plans. Advice on air quality impacts of development is likely to be provided by SEPA at the development plan and development management levels. | Paragraph 51 (energy efficiency). |
Future flood risk and diffuse water pollution from urban development. The increased land take for housing could directly contribute to increased flood risk, and may also have secondary or synergistic effects (e.g. from soil sealing). | (16) Take into account potential future cumulative pressure on water bodies arising from an increase in water supplies and infrastructure required. | Scottish Water and SEPA Strategic and local development plans. | Paragraph 58 (sustainable settlement strategies). |
(17) Ensure that housing land allocations take into account direct and indirect effects on flood risk. This should also recognise the long term effect of climate change on flood risk and take into account large scale and incremental impacts of development at a catchment wide level. | Strategic and local development plans. Further information on flood risk is available from local authority flood advice officers and SEPA. Possible future changes arising from the Flooding Bill are likely to support and strengthen the overall approach to planning for flooding. | Paragraphs 49 (placemaking), 56 and 58 (sustainable settlement strategies). SPP7 provides more detailed policy on planning and flooding. |
(18) Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems should be built into new housing areas. | Development management, with supportive policy within development plans. | The Finalised SPP recommends the use of SUDS in new housing developments at paragraph 72. |
Continuing need to prioritise brownfield land for development. The level of brownfield land has continued to decline in recent years, but there continues to be substantial areas particularly within the Central Belt. The SPP continues to support redevelopment of brownfield land, but the holistic approach to site selection emphasises the need to ensure this complements broader patterns of sustainable development. This may have secondary effects on other environmental resources. | (19) Continue to ensure that brownfield land is prioritised for development for housing, where sustainable. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | Paragraphs 60 (efficient use of land and buildings) and 64 (brownfield land). |
(20) Site level consideration of the value of brownfield land for a range of wider environmental criteria, including landscape, ecology, soil, water and green networks. | Local development plans and development management. | Paragraphs 60 (efficient use of land and buildings) and 67 (infill sites). |
(21) Ensure that opportunities to make better use of brownfield and disused land in rural areas are recognised and prioritised for housing development where appropriate. | Strategic and local development plans and development management | This is now raised as an opportunity within SPP - specific reference is made to rural brownfield land (defined as per PAN 73). Also referred to at paragraph 98. |
Effects of urban development on soils The SPP will increase potential land take for housing development, thereby exacerbating this problem in some areas. | (22) Take into account the vulnerability, stability and quality of soil resources when identifying housing land allocations. | Strategic and local development plans. | Paragraph 60 (efficient use of land and buildings). |
(23) Minimise the loss of prime quality agricultural land to new housing development. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | Paragraph 60 (efficient use of land and buildings). |
(24) Prioritise previously developed land for housing where this is the most sustainable option (see previous comments). | Strategic and local development plans. | Paragraphs 60 (efficient use of land and buildings) and 64 (brownfield land). |
(25) Use of SUDS to minimise effects arising from soil sealing by development (see previous). | Strategic and local development plans. and development management. | Soil sealing and SUDs are mentioned at paragraphs 60 and 77. |
Loss of minerals sites and increasing demand for minerals. This may arise from the overall goal of a substantial increase in new housing developments. | (26) Ensure that a sufficient supply of primary and secondary aggregates can be secured within local market areas and protect existing reserves from sterilisation by new development | Strategic and local development plans play a key role in minerals planning. Strategic planning has a potentially greater role to play in reconciling demand and supply arising from the increased level of housing construction, particularly within the Central Belt. | Paragraph 54 refers to the protection of mineral resources. Other issues, including ensuring adequate supplies of materials, are covered by minerals policies including SPP4. |
The substantial increase in households will result in increased domestic and construction waste. | (27) Ensure that areas of new housing development include sufficient facilities for recycling of waste. | Local development plans and development management | Annex B (page 41) specifically refers to coverage in SPP10. |
(28) Provide additional waste treatment facilities which help to ensure that waste is minimised and recycled as far as possible. | Area waste plans, strategic and local development plans | As above. |
(29) Good practice during construction to ensure waste is minimised and recycled. | Development industry with support via development management (use of appropriate conditions etc.) | As above and paragraph 51 in SPP3 refers to efficient use of resources in construction. |
Loss of and damage to cultural heritage resources (and their settings) as a result of development. The SPP will increase overall land take for housing, resulting in loss of or impacts on the setting of historic resources. Positive effects may also be achieved from the SPP as a result of references to guidance on building conversions and the need to consider historic environment at a more detailed level. | (30) Ensure cultural heritage value is built into site selection and capacity assessments. | Strategic and local development plans | Paragraph 48 refers to the context for new development which is supported by cultural heritage. Paragraphs 50 and 56 are also relevant. |
(31) Ensure housing land allocations avoid significant adverse effects on designated and non-designated cultural heritage sites, including archaeology, buildings, townscapes, gardens and designed landscapes. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | Paragraphs 56, 58 (sustainable settlement strategies) and 77 (landscape and open space). |
(32) Minimise the adverse effects of new housing developments on townscapes, the setting of listed buildings, scheduled monuments and conservation areas, through appropriate locational decisions and quality design as appropriate. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | Paragraphs 48-50 (placemaking and design), 56 (sustainable settlement strategies). |
(33) Avoid adverse effects on known and unknown archaeological remains through appropriate site selection and development management. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | Paragraph 58 states need to take account of other national and local policy objectives. |
(34) Balance commitment to brownfield land regeneration with recognition of the known and potential cultural heritage value of these areas. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | Paragraph 60 (efficient use of land and buildings). |
Landscape impacts of new housing development. Baseline analysis noted the generally poor quality of housing design and its wider landscape effects. The SPP could generate adverse effects on landscapes - particularly settlement expansion or new settlements are planned. | (35) Ensure landscape is built into holistic approaches to site selection for housing land allocations (capacity analysis) and settlement expansion proposals. This should specifically identify and avoid significant adverse effects on designated landscapes areas, including National Scenic Areas, National Parks and regional parks. | Strategic and local development plans and development management. | Paragraphs 48 (role of master-planning), 56(sustainable settlement strategies), and 77 (landscape and open space) |
(36) Employ masterplanning to ensure the integration of new housing areas into existing townscapes and urban fringe landscapes. | Masterplans progressed via development management. | Paragraph 48 (placemaking and design). |
(37) Ensure that new housing developments deliver new high quality places, through the use of sustainable settlement planning and high quality design. | Strategic and local development planning and development management. Further advice on this is provided by Architecture and Design Scotland. | The SPP emphasises high quality design and placemaking at paragraphs 48 - 50 and 56 (sustainable settlement strategies). |
(38) Ensure that new development areas are appropriately landscaped to minimise their landscape and visual effects. Such landscaping should ideally contribute to wider green networks and provide opportunities for greenspace safeguarding and creation. | Strategic and local development planning and development management. | Paragraphs 48 (place-making) and 77 (landscape and open space) |