Permitted development rights - extension and review: strategic environmental assessment - draft post adoption statement

5. Reasons for selecting the Proposed programme for reviewing and extending permitted development rights (PDR) in Scotland

5.1.1 The 2005 Act requires that the Scottish Government identify, describe and evaluate the likely significant effects on the environment of any reasonable alternatives to the draft plan, taking into account its objectives and geographical scope.

5.1.2 The SA identified 16 broad categories of development for possible changes to PDR. Options for each development type were then developed through an iterative process in discussion with the three SEA Consultation Authorities (SEPA, SNH and HES), and the VRG.

5.1.3 For each development type, the options assessed typically were:

• no change to current PDR (where applicable);
• alteration of current PDR for a development type for example by amending restrictions in designated areas, and/ or thresholds relevant to the scale/ size of development;
• creating new PDR for a development type in designated areas, non-designated areas, and/ or introducing size/scale restrictions of receptors.

5.1.4 An alternative approach was used in relation to changes of use in town centres. The SA instead focused on the sustainability effects of changes that would result from the addition or loss of 13 typical town centre uses. This allowed for the likely significant impacts to be more clearly identified.

5.1.5 With regards to the prioritisation of PDR for the different development types, this has been informed by the SA report.

5.1.6 An update on the current phasing of the work programme is outlined in section 7 of this draft Statement. It should be noted that this is provisional and may change as a result of other priorities and emerging evidence.