Biodiversity strategy and delivery plan: fairer Scotland duty assessment

Inequality of outcome : access to affordable housing

Scotland in line with the Global Framework for Biodiversity is committed to ensuring we are on track to protect 30% of land in Scotland for nature by 2030. Designated protected areas currently account for around 18% of Scotland’s land, so a 12% increase is required. The designation of protected areas however does not necessarily mean restrictions to development and specifically on housing – the strategy recognises that in order to achieve the ambition it is dependent on thriving communities in urban and rural areas and access to affordable housing is essential. Nature and climate lie at the heart of the NPF4 and is clear that both are considered as part of the planning process including requirements to ensure positive outcomes for biodiversity in any new developments.

It is expected that the majority of land to increase protected areas to 30% by 2030 will be using a mechanism known as Other effective conservation measures (OECMs.) These are areas of land which are not protected areas, but are in long term management for biodiversity, and will contribute to a wider nature network. OECMs will not necessarily restrict any housing development, and OECMs may be created as a result of housing development through the requirement in National Planning Framework 4 to achieve positive effects for biodiversity. It is expected that the national policy on OECMs will sit alongside local guidance regarding the consideration of OECMs in any planning applications.