Historic environment
Most local environments have an historic dimension that contributes to its quality and character. The historic environment covers scheduled monuments, archaeological sites and landscapes, historic buildings, townscapes, parks, gardens and designed landscapes, as well as our marine heritage. All these assets are recognised as having particular value, and the planning system seeks to manage these elements in a sustainable way
Policy summary
Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 23: Planning and the Historic Environment is supported by PAN 42 Archaeology - The Planning Process and Scheduled Monument Procedures and PAN 71 Conservation Area Management. SPP 23 should be read in conjunction with the condensed Scottish Historic Environment Policy, produced by Historic Scotland. Together these provide the Scottish Government's policy and advice on planning for the historic environment. The key elements are:
- Encouraging a positive and proactive approach to managing change in the historic environment, enabling development and securing best viable use;
- Ensuring the special qualities of the historic environment are protected, conserved and enhanced. This should cover statutory and non-statutory designations, while recognising that the latter, such as archaeological remains, can be material consideration in the planning process.
SPP Update
As part of the commitment to proportionate and practical planning polices, the Scottish Government is rationalising the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) series into a single, shorter statement of national planning policy. The initial sections of the consolidated SPP were published in October 2008 as Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) covering the core principles, aspirations and expectations of the planning system. The remaining sections of the consolidated SPP, covering community engagement, sustainable development, outcomes and the subject policies, were published for consultation in April 2009. The consultation closed in June 2009. A further consultation on changes to the sustainable development, climate change, flooding and coastal planning sections and to policy on onshore oil and gas operations and high amenity business locations is running from September 30, 2009 until November 12, 2009. The final consolidated SPP will at published by the end of 2009. More information on the consolidation is available on the SPP home page.