DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTENT OF SPP14
Scottish Planning Policy ( SPP)14 will replace NPPG14, setting out the land use planning interpretation and application of national policy on Scotland's natural heritage. It is intended that the SPP will reflect the breadth of natural heritage interests to include nature conservation, landscape, biodiversity and components thereof, such as flora, fauna, landforms, geology, natural beauty and amenity. The SPP will summarise the main statutory obligations in relation to natural heritage conservation, and will explain how natural heritage objectives should be reflected in development plans. The SPP will also confirm the need for planning to safeguard sites of national and international importance and to give appropriate consideration to local and non statutory designations. It is expected that the SPP will address the combination and interrelationships of landform, habitat, wildlife and landscape, will give due weight to consideration of natural heritage matters outwith specific designations, and will consider education and enjoyment of natural heritage.
The SPP will:
- set out national planning policy in relation to Scotland's natural heritage;
- summarise the main statutory obligations for the conservation of natural heritage;
- describe the role of the planning system in safeguarding and enhancing natural heritage interests in sites of national and international importance, local and non-statutory designations and beyond the confines of designated areas; and
- explain how natural heritage objectives should be reflected in development plans and considered when determining planning applications.