About National Planning Framework 4
The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is the national spatial strategy for Scotland. It underpins all planning policy decisions since its adoption in February 2023.
Under NPF4, development proposals that require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 will only be supported where the developer can demonstrate that the proposals will conserve, restore, and enhance biodiversity, leaving the area in a better state than it would be without intervention.
NPF4 sets out a “mitigation hierarchy”, which requires developers to try to avoid or minimise any negative environmental impacts of a proposed development before they start thinking about how to offset them.
Key changes from NPF3
NPF4 is different to the current planning framework (NPF3) and previous frameworks, in that it is part of the statutory development plan, and as such its policies have a stronger influence on day-to-day planning decisions across Scotland. NPF4 brings spatial and planning policies into one place.
Enhancements such as bat boxes or bird boxes were an optional addition to a development site under NPF3, but under NPF4 they are a requirement. Ecological enhancements plans are being requested by several local authorities at this stage, and planning permission is not being granted without them in place. The language within the policies has shifted from could and should, to will.
Impacts to ecological surveys
Ecological surveys remain the same, except we now have to assess sites for enhancements, as well as mitigation.
We have had several bat survey sites where bat roosts have been identified, and mitigation is put in place and on top of this planning requires us to install enhancements rather than just mitigation for lost roosts. In practical terms, this means we designate which interventions are for mitigation and which additional bat boxes, bird boxes, planting and other interventions are required for enhancement.
This means an increase in the time we spend on site and producing reports, and will require input from our clients to secure agreement on proposed enhancements. Where needed we will work with landscape consultants and architects on interventions such as bat slates, integrated bat bricks, bee bricks, and other habitat improvements.
If you have any questions about how NPF4 will impact your proposed works, please email us on admin@daviddoddsassociates.com. We are always happy to help.
NPF4 Summarised
The highlights from NPF4 are:
Focusing on enhancing connectivity through nature networks.
Promoting nature-based solutions to climate change which also protect and restore biodiversity.
Climate change and nature recovery as primary guiding principles for all plans and decisions.
Focus on on-site enhancement, avoiding the use of complex metrics (in contrast to Biodiversity Net Gain used in England).
Continuing role for developer contributions where statutory tests are met.
By focusing on these areas, NPF4 aims to:
‘Facilitate biodiversity enhancement, nature recovery and nature restoration across the development plan area’.
‘Set out proposals and actions to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity’.
‘Set out the circumstances in which developer contributions for enhancing biodiversity may be required’.
‘Identify priority enhancement measures from NatureScot guidance & any additional measures to be considered’.
‘Identify green networks wholly or partially within their area, which the planning authority consider to be strategic, by reference to a map’.
‘Identify how green networks…. within their area may be enhanced’
