Tools and Resources for Developers

Key Messages: –

• Follow national and local planning policies and guidance.
• Consider protected nature conservation sites or species within or near to your site.
• Gather the information available on species and habitats.
• Identify what ecological surveys will be required, and when.
• Apply the mitigation hierarchy to ensure detrimental impacts on biodiversity are avoided to the greatest degree possible.
• Design in positive effects for biodiversity by restoring degraded habitats, creating appropriate new habitats, using green infrastructure and linking to Nature Networks.

All Scales of Development Proposal

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)

NPF4 has climate and nature at its centre with Policy 3 being crucial in ensuring that development will deliver positive effects for biodiversity.

NatureScot guidance Developing with Nature  outlines biodiversity enhancement measures suitable for a range of  local scale developments in support of NPF4 policy 3(c).

Local Authority Planning Policy and Advice

Local Development Plan policy is the starting point for the local framework of protection of species and habitats for Aberdeenshire,  Aberdeen City and Moray Council areas.

Supplementary Guidance, Technical Advice Notes and Planning Advice, gives a detailed guide to what we are aiming for and advice on required surveys for species and habitats for Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray.

Local authorities are required to carry out Habitat Regulations Appraisals for developments which may affect Natura sites.

Finding an Ecological Consultant

Depending on what your proposal is you may need specialist surveys and advice from an Ecological Consultant. The Chartered Institute of Ecologists and Environmental Managers (CIEEM) have an easily searched database of professional ecologists. CIEEM also detail the competencies an ecologist should have for a particular species surveys.

Thinking Ahead – Timing of Species Surveys

Surveys for many protected species have a limited time window.  Aberdeen City Council have produced a  (based around the NatureScot survey calendar) to assist with timing of species surveys. Programming in surveys at the earliest possible opportunity will both inform the development proposal and prevent any delays.

Let’s include Green Infrastructure and contribute to development of Nature Networks

Green infrastructure can mean many different things from open space with trees and wildflowers to green roofs, rain gardens and SUDs schemes with native species planting . It is an essential component of sustainable land-use planning and design.

Some helpful guides include:

• Green Infrastructure – an integrated approach to land use
• 10,000 Raingardens for Scotland
• NatureScot’s guide to Pollinators in Planning and Construction
• Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Fact Sheet

How can your Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDs) support local wildlife?

SUDS design and planting can make a significant contribution towards Green Infrastructure, providing areas for suitable locally native plants. Schemes can also include species protection measure like adding amphibian ladders for gully pots.

SUDs design is covered in detail in the CIRIA SUDs Manual, which has a chapter on Designing for biodiversity.

NatureScot advice

NatureScot are a statutory consultee for Environmental Impact Assessment and proposals which may impact on some designated sites. They are the Licencing Authority for European Protected Species and other species requiring licencing.  They also provide a wide range of useful guidance for developers.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) advice

SEPA provide advice and guidance for developers on a wide range of environmental issues.

Buglife Local Authority Guidance

Imagine trying to travel around the UK without our road and rail network. Or imagine if nine out of every ten miles of road just didn’t exist – life would be impossible! That is the situation faced by our vital pollinators and other bugs. B-Lines is Buglife’s unique solution.

Browse, or download, Buglife’s information packs below to find out more about B-Lines, their importance and how Local Authorities and Developers can manage green spaces in B-Lines for pollinators.

• The Benefits of B-Lines to Local Authorities in Scotland
• Managing Road Verges for Pollinators
• Managing Parks and Green Spaces for Pollinators
• Managing Community Spaces for Pollinators 
• B-Lines Case Study – Auld Kirk churchyard, Montrose

Grassland Management – a guide for local councils

Grasslands are one of the UK’s most valuable and ecologically significant landscapes. They not only provide vital habitats for biodiversity but also play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, flood management, and maintaining the health of our natural environment. This guide by Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) has been created to give more information on how to effectively manage grassland areas to meet the needs of both climate change and biodiversity.

APSE Grassland Management 

For Households and Small to Medium-Scale Developers

Protecting Species and Habitats – Wildlife Assessment Checklist

The Partnership for Biodiversity in Planning has created the Wildlife Assessment Check. The tool will give you a quick and simple assessment of the habitats and species that may need to be considered on your site.

For Medium and Large Scale Developers

Calculate Biodiversity Net Gain

Delivering positive effects for biodiversity is central to NPR4 . Local Authority Local Development Plans deliver this at a local level, promoting biodiversity gains as part of development. For larger sites this can be supported by using a tool to assess Biodiversity Net Gain.  Use of this tool for medium and large-scale sites is supported.

Make use of the British Standard on Biodiversity in Planning and Development

Did you know there was a British Standard for Biodiversity in Planning and Development?  This provides advice on considering biodiversity in ALL stages of development and crucially at the very start of the process of design.

Nature Networks are good for wildlife and people

Even small scale development can contribute toNature Networks. Using native species planting in landscaping, trees belts, riverside planting, planting along core paths and roadside verges can all contribute and are encouraged.