Scottish Government

Appendix E Example of a policy assessment matrix

Policy

PRO

CAP

EQD

REN

NOR

Comments

Env 2 National Nature Conservation Sites

Development that would have a negative impact on a SSSI or a NNR will be refused unless the developer proves:

A] there is no suitable alternative site for the development;

B] its public benefits at a national level clearly outweigh the nature conservation value of the site;

C] satisfactory steps are taken to mitigate negative development impacts.

O

O

O

Not confined to developments within the designated areas but includes dev that may affect them; allows for appropriate dev that would not adversely affect the site. Criteria are clearly set out but alternatives may include other ways of doing a dev, not just other sites. Could refer to compensation measures for negative impacts as well as mitigation.

Env 4 Biodiversity

Development that would have a negative impact on plants or animals protected under British or European Law, identified as a priority in UK or Local Biodiversity Action Plans or other valuable habitats, will be refused unless the developer proves:

A] there is no suitable alternative site for the development;

B] its public benefits at a local level clearly outweigh the value of the habitat;

C] satisfactory steps are taken to mitigate negative development impacts.

Where there is evidence to suggest that a habitat or species of importance exists on the site the developer, at their expense, may be required to undertake a survey of the site's natural environment.

O

O

O

Commendable policy referring to LBAP and protected species etc but not fully compliant with Reg 37 Habitats Regulations 1994 and NPPG 14 paras 18, 20 and 47-49. Other valuable habitats are not defined or cross-referenced. Same comments on criteria as ENV 2 above.

Env 6 Coastal Development

Development on the Developed Coast will be approved, in principle, if:

A] It requires a coastal location; OR

B] It provides economic benefits to settlements; AND

C] Satisfactory account has been taken by the developer of locating the proposal on brownfield land or in disused buildings.

D] It will not lead to the coalescence of coastal developments.

E] It respects the character and amenity of the surrounding area.

F] Where applicable, it conforms to policy Gen/4 (White Land).

O

Highly compatible with sustainability aims

Env 7 Protected and Other Open Areas

Development in a Protected or Other Open Area will be refused unless:

A] It would not negatively impact on the site's or settlement's special character or amenity.

B] If within a Protected Area, it is for an essential community facility, which cannot be located elsewhere and whose public benefits clearly outweigh the value of the site to the settlement's special character or amenity.

O

O

O

Compatible with sustainability aims

Env 10 Forestry and Woodland Consultations

The Council will object to a woodland grant scheme application if it would:

A] Impact negatively on international, national or other recognised nature conservation sites; OR

B] Cause the obstruction or removal of an existing or proposed access route; OR

C] Have a significant negative landscape or ecological impact.

When notified of any felling licence applications or Forest Design Plans which would impact as (a) - (c) above, the Council will encourage the satisfactory mitigation of any negative impacts.

O

?

O

Policy could be more positive in provision eg for encouraging native woodlands, planting native/locally indigenous species. No reference to the sustainable management and harvesting of the woodland resource.

HOU 2 Future Housing Land 2006-2016

New housing on future housing land will be approved, in principle, if it is required to maintain a 5 year effective supply of housing land.

Non-housing development on future housing land will be refused unless it is ancillary to the housing development.

O

?

?

O

?

Compliance depends entirely on the sustainability of the allocations that flow from the policy. There is no policy encouraging mixed development.

HOU 3 and HOU 4 New housing in Green Belt (H3)/Inner Countryside (H4) will be approved, in principle, if:

A] It is for a full time worker in a primary industry who is essential to the efficient operation of an enterprise which itself is appropriate to the Green Belt/Inner countryside.

B] The worker is housed within the immediate vicinity of their place of employment.

C] It conforms to Appendix 1.

O

?

X

?

Green belt and inner countryside can have negative effects on travel distances and increased commuting etc as well as positive benefits. Transport strategy needs to assess impact of Green belt. Settlement capacity is not adequately addressed.

EMP 5 Home Based Employment

will be approved, in principle, if:

A] It does not cause significant loss of amenity to neighbouring properties.

B] It can be accommodated within the house and ancillary buildings without the need for extensions.

O

O

Highly compatible with sustainability aims

EMP 8 Out of Town Centre Retail Development will be approved, in principle, if:

A] The sequential test outlined in policy Emp\7 (The Sequential Test) is satisfied.

B] For proposals over 1000m ² the developer funds an independent Retail Impact Assessment.

C] Satisfactory account has been taken by the developer of locating the proposal on brownfield land, in disused buildings or on allocated employment land.

D] The site is accessible by public transport.

E] The proposal accords with policies Gen\2 (The Layout, Siting and Design of New Buildings) and Gen\6 (Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership).

O

O

Highly compatible with sustainability aims

INF 2 Parking, Servicing and Accessibility

Development will be approved, in principle, if:

A] It can be accessed by walkers, cyclists and, where possible, users of public transport.

B] Parking and servicing arrangements are satisfactorily provided.

?

?

Not all new development will be able to comply. Does policy mean (a) and (b) or (a) or (b)? Still tends to encourage parking which has adverse environmental effects.

INF 4 Drainage and Water Standards

Development will be approved, in principle, if:

A] It will not overload existing mains infrastructure unless it is practical for the developer to provide for new infrastructure. OR

B] If in a settlement, a septic tank is not used. OR

C] Where public infrastructure is not available and it requires private infrastructure, this can be provided without negative impacts to public health or the environment.

O

O

Highly compatible with sustainability aims. No explicit reference to sustainable drainage systems.

GEN 1 Sustainable Development Principles

Development will be approved, in principle, if:

A] It has a positive impact on the local environment, community and economy.

B] It conforms, where applicable, to the following principles of sustainable development:

• Makes full use of design and technology to maximise the efficient use of resources
• Reduces the production of waste and manages it as a resource in accordance with the waste hierarchy i.e. Reduce, Reuse, Recovery, Disposal.
• Takes account of the need to minimise the use of vehicles.
• Does not damage valuable natural and built resources.
• Provides safe and convenient accessibility to, and helps support, existing community services and facilities.
• Does not compromise public health and safety.
• Does not impact negatively on the character and amenity of the surrounding area.
• Does not give rise to hazards, pollutants or nuisances in the surrounding area.
• Does not prejudice future development opportunities nor encourage inappropriate future development patterns.

Provides new, or helps support, existing local employment.

?

?

?

O

?

Could be elevated to the strategy of the plan.

GEN1 is a very good keynote policy but may be subjective and too general as a main policy for implementation in dev control. Would development be refused if it only had neutral rather than positive impacts? Some duplication as many aspects covered by other policies. Missed opportunity to encourage mixed development. Could be restructured to be more specific and targeted. Lack of reference to energy efficiency.

GEN 8 Contaminated Land

Development for the reuse of contaminated land will be approved, in principle, if satisfactory site investigations, risk assessments and remedial actions are taken to address any actual or potential significant risks to public health and safety and the environment arising from the proposals.

Positive approach highly compatible with sustainability aims.