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2. ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT

Relationship with other plans and programmes - relevant environmental protection objectives

2.1 As required by the Schedule 3 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, the wider plans, programmes and strategies to which the draft SPP relates have been reviewed and summarised, in order to explain how their wider environmental protection objectives have been taken into account. Much of this analysis was undertaken early in the SEA process (at scoping), with amendments being made during the course of the assessment, as the need arose. The full analysis is provided in Appendix 1.

2.2 The analysis identified the following key environmental objectives which should be taken into account within the SPP and its accompanying SEA:

Table 5: Summary of environmental objectives of relevant plans, policies and strategies, and implications for the SPP

Relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and its likely evolution in the absence of changes to the SPP

2.3 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. This section therefore describes the environmental context within which the SPP will operate and the constraints and targets that this context infers. No significant data gaps were identified during the course of the assessment.

Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna

2.4 The European Habitats and Birds Directives impose legal obligations to prevent deterioration in the conservation status of certain listed habitats and species. A target of haling biodiversity loss by 2010 was established at the Gothenburg summit in 2001, and this was incorporated into the European Sustainable Development Strategy. Of the UKBAP priority habitats and priority species ¹ found in Scotland, in 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 was unknown, unclear or fluctuating. Updated figures are expected to be available later this year. SNH undertakes monitoring of the condition of Scotland's designated sites. Figures produced in 2006 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 SSSIs by 2008 and 95% by 2010.

2.5 SEPA provided further information on the current state of Scottish biodiversity in its 2006 State of the Environment Report. ⁴ It noted 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. In terms of habitats, SNH's natural heritage futures reports (which are currently being updated) identified loss of neutral grassland, particularly in the uplands and islands, dwarf shrub heath, acid grassland and bog as key problems. ⁵ Whilst the country level reports are not yet available, the overall findings of the national Countryside Survey ⁶ showed an increase in the area of improved and acid grassland, broadleaved and wet woodland in Scotland, and a decrease in coniferous woodland and arable land in the period 1998 -2007. Key concerns included the decline in food plants for lowland farmland birds and butterflies in their larval stage.

2.6 Climate change is likely to exacerbate established pressures on biodiversity resources, and could 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 ⁷ provide further insights into the likely repercussions of climate change for the natural environment. 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.

2.7 These short and longer term trends in Scottish biodiversity are likely to continue in the absence of the proposed changes to the SPP.

Population and human health

2.8 High quality environments can contribute to a range of social and health objectives, including better physical and mental health, investment and employment, and resolution of environmental injustice. The population of Scotland in 2006 was 5.116 million. ⁸ Increases in population have been recorded in the last four years, following a previous trend of decline. The recent increase has been driven by net in-migration. It is predicted that the population will rise to 5.13 million by 2019, before falling below 5 million in 2036.

2.9 Scotland's health record is poor, with the population having the highest rate of coronary heart disease in Europe. Although levels of physical activity and consequently health have been improving, 44% of men and 33% of women currently meet the recommended levels of physical activity, indicating a need for further changes to lifestyles to overcome health problems in the long term. ⁹ Asthma and wheezing problems are more prevalent in deprived households. ¹⁰ Environmental pollution has a number of impacts on human health. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution ( RCEP) Study on the Urban Environment identifies a number of impacts associated with the urban environment. ¹¹ This includes air pollution which causes premature death and reduces average life expectancy. There is an association between urban residence and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders. 61% of people in high income areas considered themselves to be in good health, compared with only 45% of those living in disadvantaged council estates. ¹²

2.10 High quality environments can make an important contribution to social health and wellbeing. Research has shown that greenspace users are more active overall, and people are more likely to use greenspaces if they are available close to where they live. Open spaces can also play an important role in supporting mental health and wellbeing. ¹³ This research underlines the importance of green infrastructure within towns and cities. Distinctive and diverse landscapes and well protected and accessible cultural heritage resources also have an important role to play in supporting community identity and overall quality of life.

2.11 Research undertaken for the Scottish Executive ¹⁴ 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 ¹⁵ 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.

2.12 Many of the health and social issues identified above are likely to continue in the absence of the proposed changes to the SPP. Improvements to green networks are proposed within the National Planning Framework and so it is expected that these would be strengthened over the long term in the absence of any further or conflicting policy within the SPP.

Soil and land

2.13 Scotland's soils are diverse and differ markedly from the rest of the UK. Soils provide a range of services, acting as a carbon sink, supporting agriculture, contributing to water quality and flow, and sustaining landscape character and biodiversity. The Scottish Soil Framework (Consultation Document, 2008) summarises research in 2006 ¹⁶ prioritising challenges to soil in Scotland as follows:

1. Climate change and loss of organic matter are the most significant threats to the functioning of Scottish soils.

2. Construction (sealing), loss of biodiversity and acidifying and eutrophying deposition also represent significant threats to soil function.

3. Threats most commonly associated with cultivation (erosion, loss of structure, compaction) were not considered to present particularly high risks at a national scale. However, these can be locally significant, for example in peatland areas or those rich in known and unknown archaeological features as well as impacting on water quality.

4. Threats from contamination by heavy metals or by land management were also noted, but regarded as more locally significant than a national issue.

2.14 The biodiversity of Scotland's soils was described in the Scottish Executive's 2006 soil research as a 'true scientific frontier'. It is widely recognised that some specifically Scottish habitats, such as Scots pine woodland, machair and deep peat 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. However, some key issues emerged from research commissioned by the then Scottish Executive that explored the current state and threats to soil in Scotland. ¹⁷ This showed that soil forms a habitat and breeding for a wide range of species, ranging from plants to mammals (e.g. badgers and moles), lower plants (mosses), invertebrates (spiders, beetles, mites and worms) and further 'hidden' microscopic life forms. The research showed that key threats to soil biodiversity include contamination and invasive species, such as the New Zealand Flatworm. In areas where this has occurred, it is suggested that risk analysis and a precautionary approach are adopted. At the national level, work by the Natural Environment Research Council ( NERC) has also substantially increased our understanding of soil related biodiversity. ¹⁸

2.15 Damage to soil, particularly that caused by changes to moisture content, contamination and invasive species will have repercussions for both biodiversity and landscape ¹⁹ 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, ²⁰ 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. ²¹

2.16 The Scottish Soil Framework Consultation Document proposed mechanisms to address the key threats to soils nationally. ²² Soils are closely linked with climatic conditions, and climate change will have a range of effects on its organic composition. The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology reported in 2006 ²³ that 2.2 million tonnes of topsoil has been eroded in the UK, with mapping suggesting that in Scotland upland erosion is an issue in the Highlands including parts of Caithness and Sutherland, and the Cairngorms. Water erosion is a problem in the coastal parts of Tayside. It is estimated that 44% of arable land in Scotland is at risk of water erosion, and that 20% of upland peat, shallow and rocky soils are eroding. Urban soil degradation through sealing and contamination is an issue throughout the UK.

2.17 These changes to the soil environment are likely to continue in the absence of the proposed changes to the SPP, although the introduction of a new national soil framework could help to address many of the environmental problems identified above in the coming years.

Geology and Geodiversity

2.18 Scotland's geology reflects the earth's evolution, forms an important cultural and natural heritage resource in its own right and contributes directly to Scotland's unique landscape diversity. ²⁴ In 1977 the Geological Conservation Review began identifying sites which are of international importance for geodiversity. The database includes numerous sites located throughout Scotland, and many of these are designated as SSSIs. Opportunities to increase understanding and appreciation of them could be developed further. However, given the long term nature of geological evolution, it is not expected that any changes to the SPP are likely to generate nationally significant effects on this aspect of our environment.

Water

2.19 Scotland's freshwater resources range from coastal rivers to standing water bodies (such as peaty lochs and lowland lochs), fen and raised bog wetlands. ²⁵ The water environment supports a wide range of migratory waders and wildfowl, fish, seabirds, seals, whales and dolphins. ²⁶ Marine and freshwater biodiversity has improved following the decline of heavy industry and improved regulatory regimes. Key species remain of concern, however, including the freshwater pearl mussel and vendace. The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy notes that 50% of native freshwater species in Scotland were thought to have declined in 2000. Scotland's freshwater and sea lochs are internationally important in terms of biodiversity.

2.20 Draft River Basin Management Plans ( RBMPs) for both RBDs were published in December 2008. ²⁷ The RBMP for the Scotland River Basin District ²⁸ states that the key problems with the water environment in Scotland are as follows:

• nutrient enrichment of rivers, lochs, estuaries and groundwaters;
• changes to the quantity of water and flow levels of rivers and lochs;
• changes to the physical habitat of rivers and lochs;
• barriers to fish migration in rivers and lochs.
• specific and priority substances;
• faecal coliforms in bathing water protected areas.

2.21 A summary of the current state of the Scotland RBD water environment shows that, based on the new Water Framework Directive classification system, 55% of the area's waters are at a good or better status, with the rest falling within a lower than good status. When this is combined with the assessment of artificial or heavily modified surface water bodies, the proportion reaching good or high status rises to 60%. As a result, to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, action is required within the RBMP to improve the classification of around 40% of waterbodies in the Scotland RBD. Although the classification of the Solway-Tweed RBD is incomplete and very few water bodies are rated as being in poor condition, around 60% of the waterbodies in the area fall within lower than 'good' category, and therefore require to be considered for appropriate remedial action.

2.22 The above pressures on the water environment are likely to continue in the absence of the proposed changes to the SPP, although the finalisation and implementation of RBMPs is likely to result in a substantial improvement in the ecological condition of Scotland's water bodies over the medium term

2.23 SEPA has produced flood maps ²⁹ which reflect an estimate of the areas of Scotland with a 0.5% (1:200) or greater probability of being flooded in any given year. This shows areas at risk of flooding by rivers and the sea and helps decision makers to understand flood risk when considering new development. The flood map is based on modelling to best present the data at a Scotland-wide level and is intended as an indicative tool which will be reviewed as and when further detailed local study data becomes available. Flooding can provide opportunities for biodiversity enhancement, particularly within catchment wide planning that links wetland and forestry approaches to natural flood management. By expanding areas of peatlands, bogs, fens, saltmarsh and wet grassland, capacity to absorb flood water can grow. Flood risk is likely to contribute to grow in Scotland over the long term, with or without the proposed changes to the SPP.

2.24 Scotland's coasts and seascapes are of significant value as a result of their scenic and ecological qualities. SNH note the outstanding character and great diversity of the coast, ranging from broad machair plains to shifting dunes, sandy beaches, and several hundred uninhabited islands. The rocks and landforms of the coast form important habitats and are important geological resources in their own right. Scotland's marine biodiversity is remarkably diverse, supporting many mammals including common and grey seals, whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, otters, sharks and turtles, seabirds, and migratory bird species, and many fish species. Seabed composition and plant life and micro-organisms contribute to this diversity and richness. ³⁰ Pressures on the coastal environment of relevance to planning include impacts of developments including fish farms and marine renewables. This is complicated by long term challenges for marine wildlife arising from climate change. The proposed new approach to marine spatial planning should provide an important opportunity to introduce sustainable management of our seas and coastal areas. The links between this and the onshore planning system will require further consideration.

Air

2.25 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 PM ₁₀, NO ₂ and SO ₂. However, there continue to be problems with reducing CO ₂ emissions. ³¹ 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 growing problem. In Scotland, the energy sector and transport are the key sources of air pollution. Although the situation is improving, measures will be required to avoid secondary impacts from air pollution on land and water based ecosystems.

2.26 Local Air Quality Management Areas ( AQMAs) have been declared in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dundee, Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City Council, Midlothian, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire. ³² All but one of these designations have been declared as a result of transport borne emissions. These concentrations of air pollution are likely to continue in the future, with or without the proposed changes to the SPP.

Climatic Factors

2.27 As noted in the previous section, the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill proposes targets of a 50% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 and 80% by 2050. The long-term increase in temperatures in the UK and Scotland has accelerated over the past three years, and "there is now evidence that human activities are having a discernable impact on the global climate."³³ The UKCIP02 ³⁴ 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. ³⁵ 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.

2.28 Climate change could have many different impacts on other aspects of the environment, including biodiversity, water, the marine environment and landscape. The Scottish Climate Change Programme ³⁶ sets out the way in which Scotland intends 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.

2.29 The RSPB recently provided an introduction to emerging research on the ability of birds in Europe to adapt to climate change. ³⁷ This research calls for vigorous and immediate action to reduce climate change, as a result of evidence on the likely implications of a moderate increase in temperature for bird species in Europe. Overall, more species will suffer than benefit from climate change, and for a few species there is no future potential range left in Europe. Some species, that are wholly or almost exclusively found in Europe risk extinction. Key impacts will arise from restriction of the climate space occupied by birds, lack of future suitable habitats, and varying capability of different species to disperse, compounded by habitat fragmentation. These issues are likely to persist into the longer term, with or without the proposed changes to the draft SPP.

2.30 Forest Research ³⁸ predicts significant landscape and biodiversity changes leading to the use of new species and structures of woodland planting. Whilst productivity of forestry is expected to increase, the suitability and resilience of different tree species will change, and there will be growing threats to woodlands from drought, insect, disease and wind damage. The research supports the broader Forestry Commission target of increasing forestry coverage of Scotland from 17% to 25% by 2050, as a means of reducing woodland fragmentation and supporting habitat networks.

2.31 The Marine Climate Change Impacts Project report for 2007-2008 showed that 2006 was the second warmest year in UK coastal waters since records began in 1870. Seven of the ten warmest years occurred in the last decade. ³⁹ There are predictions of fewer, but more severe storms for coastal areas and an increase in coastal erosion with implications for 12% of Scotland's coastline. Climate change is likely to reduce the breeding success and survival of some seabirds, whilst there has been an increase in the abundance of some warm water invertebrates and alga that have extended their range to parts of Northern Scotland. Lower rates of sea level rise are predicted for Scotland as compared to the more significant issues arising for the south of England, and are currently expected to be confined to 0-60cm by 2080.

Material Assets

Minerals

2.32 The Scottish Government's Guide to Minerals Information in Central Scotland ⁴⁰ shows where there are key minerals reserves that require protection from sterilisation to ensure extraction in the long term is not precluded. This includes crushed rock aggregate, sand and gravel, coal, limestone, building stone, silica sand, clay and shale and other minerals. In 2006 igneous rock accounted for just under a quarter of minerals produced in Scotland, with crushed rock accounting for three quarters of aggregate output, of which around 21.6% is exported. This is followed by sand and gravel and coal. In tonnage, other minerals represent a much smaller proportion of the total extracted. Sustainable approaches to minerals management, including recycling and waste reduction are already central to the operation of the sector.

2.33 The 2005 Scottish Aggregates Survey ⁴¹ showed that production levels from aggregates in Scotland has remained fairly constant at around 30-35 million tonnes since 1990. However, sand and gravel reserves have fallen below a ten year landbank, and maintaining a secure supply of minerals that meets the needs of Scotland's industries, whilst managing the environmental and social effects of extraction and transportation, remains an ongoing challenge for planning.

Vacant and Derelict Land

2.34 The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Survey ⁴² indicates that there was a total of 10,240 hectares of derelict and urban vacant land in Scotland in 2007. This reflects a decline of 448 hectares since 2002, 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, and Highland (with these areas together accounting for 36% of the total). Around a fifth of the land has been derelict or urban vacant for more than 25 years. This is likely to continue to be a long term environmental challenge, regardless of any changes to the SPP.

Transport and access

2.35 Scotland has a lower rate of car ownership than the rest of the UK with 51 as compared to 58 vehicles per 100 population. ⁴³ The population has higher levels of bus use (94 journeys per head per year as compared to 84) but lower levels of rail use (15.3 annual journeys per head annual, compared to 18.5). ⁴⁴ The car remains the main travel to work option (65% of journey), but 53% of journeys to school are made on foot, followed by 23% by public transport or cycle and 22% by car. Indeed, the car is the mode of transport for over three quarters of total distance travelled. Overall travel distance has grown in Scotland, from an average of 4652 miles annually in 1985/6 to 7376 miles annually in 2005/6. The proportion of car use as part of the total has also grown over the same period. An increase in travel distances including for commuter journeys (as opposed to number of trips) appears to be the main factor accounting for this growth.

2.36 These trends may continue regardless of the changes to the SPP, although ongoing efforts to achieve a shift to more sustainable modes of transport, wider trends and commitments to climate change mitigation should result in more positive changes to transport patterns in the longer term.

2.37 As part of the broader commitment to achieving a modal shift, networks of cycle and footpaths have an important part to play as part of sustainable communities. Under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, all councils in Scotland have prepared Core Path Plans, as a means of prioritising investment in path maintenance and development. These networks have a key role play as part of long term sustainable settlement strategies, and should be protected and enhanced where possible by development plans and development management.

Waste Management

2.38 SEPA's waste data digest for 2006 (published 2008) ⁴⁵ shows that total waste arising in Scotland increased in Scotland by 18% between 2004/5 and 2006/7. Of this, construction and demolition waste arisings grew most significantly, whilst growth in household waste was relatively consistent. Commercial waste arising fell in the same period, by 21%. At the same time, rates of recycling grew significantly, including particularly high increases in recycling of plastics, soils and rubble, steel and aluminium cans and wood. The amount of municipal waste that has been composted grew by 420% between 2002/3 and 2006/7, with a large proportion of arising from green waste. The total amount of biodegradable waste disposed of in landfill sites (a key source of methane emissions) decreased steadily from 1.89 million tonnes in 2002/3 to 1.47 million tonnes in 2006/7, thereby exceeding national targets.

2.39 In the absence of the changes to the SPP it is expected that ongoing regulatory regimes and waste policy should achieve a continuing improvement in the environmental performance of the waste management sector in Scotland. There may also be a continuing shortfall in available waste management infrastructure as in the absence of any changes to the existing policy framework for new facilities.

Cultural Heritage, including architectural and archaeological heritage

2.40 Scotland has five World Heritage Sites (New Lanark, Edinburgh Old and New Towns, the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, St. Kilda and most recently the Antonine Wall. There are also some 47,368 listed buildings and 628 conservation areas. The actual extent of archaeological remains in Scotland is unknown, with around 8,000 Scheduled Monuments representing only a small proportion of the 260,000 sites and monuments for which there are records, and the many more unrecorded sites and unknown resources throughout the country. Scotland's heritage designations are often supported by their landscape setting, and landscapes are imbued with cultural heritage value and significance. As noted above, the EC Landscape Convention notes the importance of recognising that landscapes are a product of the relationship between people and nature.

2.41 Some 386 sites are identified in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes. Historic gardens and designed landscapes reflect 'layers' of perception and attitudes to our environments, formed as fashions have changed over time. These areas can also be important for wildlife. The subsequently consolidated SHEP notes the procedures for identifying and protecting historic gardens and designed landscapes of national and local importance. It also emphasises the important role which planning has to play in protecting these areas.

2.42 Information produced for the Scottish Historic Environment Audit ⁴⁶ ( SHEA) includes a review of Ancient Woodland in Scotland, reflecting their combined cultural and natural heritage value. This draws on the Ancient Woodland Inventory compiled by SNH, which focuses on the continuing existence of woodland from 1759. At present there are 352,766 hectares of ancient woodland in Scotland, including ancient woodland of semi natural origin, long-established woodland of plantation origins and other (as included on the Roy map of 1750). These are distributed throughout the country, but are particularly concentrated in Lowland Scotland, and along the length of the east coast from the Lothians to the just north of the Dornoch Firth.

2.43 The historic environment can be threatened by inappropriate development; economic decline, loss of viable use, population change and neglect in general. These issues are of relevance to both designated and non-designated sites. These challenges are likely to persist in the future, regardless of the proposed changes to the SPP.

Landscape

2.44 Mapping of landscape character at a national level shows the dramatic variation between mountainous moorland areas in the north and west Highlands and Islands and the southern uplands, and the rivers, valleys, hills, farmland and urban areas in the lowlands.

2.45 Scotland has 40 National Scenic Areas ( NSAs) covering more than 1 million hectares (12.7% of Scotland). These areas reflect nationally significant scenic and landscape quality and value.

2.46 The European Landscape Convention ( ELC) calls for a broader approach to landscape protection and enhancement (going beyond designated areas), and 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. ⁴⁷ This approach was already established in Scotland within the existing text of NPPG14. The Scottish Landscape Forum ⁴⁸ highlighted the following key issues for Scotland's landscapes:

• Poor settings of urban and peri-urban communities, impinging on well-being and quality of life;
• Loss of diversity in the landscape and dilution or erosion of distinctive character;
• Generally poor standards of design;
• Decline and loss of natural and cultural heritage features;
• Attrition of undeveloped, remote and wild countryside, and coasts;
• Erosion of rural character of Lowland Scotland - loss of features, intrusion of noise and artificial light reducing tranquillity, suburbanisation; and
• Direct and indirect impacts of climate change, with the latter arising from mitigation action (e.g. increased renewable energy generation).

2.47 These pressures vary between different landscape settings. 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 an assessment of Scotland's landscapes that sets out nationally significant resources, pressures and opportunities. ⁴⁹ 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.).

2.48 SNH policy on wild land ⁵⁰ reflects on wildness in Scotland's countryside, and supports the policy approach within NPPG14, which introduced this as a nation-wide consideration for land use planning. SNH emphasises the need for a protective approach to wild land, in the provisions of the planning system and in relation to broader land use. The paper distinguishes between 'wildness' (the quality enjoyed) and 'wild land' (the places where wildness is best expressed). It Wild land is not necessarily confined to remote areas of the north and west, but can also be found closer to settlements. Experiences of wildness and wild land vary depending on individuals' experiences, perceptions and preferences, but can be inspirational, support feelings of engagement with nature, solitude and sanctuary and is valued as a quality in its own right. There are also strong cultural meanings underlying many areas of wild land.

2.49 SNH state that the value of wild land in Scotland rests on five main factors: scarcity; intrinsic quality; potential for nature; economic and accessibility. Key pressures for change include hydropower; bulldozed roads; and access for outdoor recreation. Changes to woodland cover could positively or negatively affect the qualities of wild land, depending on the quality of woodland design and specific character of the area it affects. Mapping shows the importance of wild land in the north of Scotland (Cairngorms, the Monadhliath; Knoydart; Ben Dearg, east of Loch Broom and its hinterland, Ben Alder, the west Inverness-shire glens to Kintail block, Black Mount - Etive, and the Fisherfield Forest in Wester Ross). In the south sufficiently extensive areas of wild land are limited to the Merrick block, which has being changed by extensive afforestation. SNH guidance on Wild Land ⁵¹ notes that there is increasing pressure on this diminishing resource as a result of a range of developments and land management activities. Although impact assessment guidance covers wild land to some extent, it does not reflect broader values and subjective experiences associated with wild land.

2.50 There are numerous and varied locally designated landscapes in Scotland. These areas, including regional parks and Areas of Great Landscape Value ( AGLVs) are distributed throughout the country, adding to the national designations by also providing additional protection for significant landscapes that are close to settlements and within the central belt. In recent years, there has been a debate on the effectiveness and consistency of these designations, with SNH and Historic Scotland having produced guidance that calls on local authorities to 'refresh' local designations through a process of informed review and assessment. ⁵²

2.51 The Scottish Landscape Forum ( SLF) summarised research demonstrating the value of landscapes to Scotland. ⁵³ Public benefits include improved health and wellbeing, community regeneration, enjoyment and recreation, education, tourism and rural diversification. Further, the Forum emphasised the economic value of landscapes as a result of their role in stimulating investment and retaining employers and employees, and use in marketing for tourism but also in terms of traditional products. Some 11% of Scotland's total economic output is dependent on the natural environment and it is estimated to support 14% of jobs. ⁵⁴ Landscapes have a particularly important role to play in supporting the Scottish tourism sector, having been noted most frequently by visitors to Scotland as the highlight of their holiday. ⁵⁵

2.52 Landscapes are likely to continue to be a valued part of Scotland's environment and wider identity in the long term. However, the special qualities described above are likely to continue to be under pressure in the future from land use change, including encroachment by development and changes in agriculture. These issues are expected to provide continuing challenges, with or without the changes to the SPP.

Summary of environmental problems that are relevant to the SPP

2.53 It is important for the SEA of the draft SPP to focus on the environmental problems which are most relevant to the statutory planning system. Based on the evidence above, the key environmental problems are summarised in Table 7 below.

Table 7: Summary of environmental problems relevant to SPP

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