Scotland 2045: fourth National Planning Framework - draft: integrated impact assessment - environmental report

8.0 Next Steps

8.1.1 The consultation on Draft NPF4 closes on 31 March 2022. Following the consultation and the end of the Parliamentary scrutiny process, we will analyse the responses and produce a final NPF4. The final adoption date will depend on the approval of NPF4 by the Scottish Parliament, but we are currently aiming to lay a finalised version for approval by summer 2022.

8.2 How to comment

8.2.1 Details on how to comment can be found on the Scottish Government's Consultation Hub, Citizen Space. You can also request a hard copy of this report and consultation documents at scotplan@gov.scot

8.2.2 If you are unable to respond using our consultation hub, please complete the Respondent Information Form and return it, together with your response to scotplan@gov.scot or by mail to:

Consultees may wish to consider the following questions:

Q 1: What are your views on the accuracy and scope of the environmental baseline set out in the environmental report?

Q 2: What are your views on the predicted environmental effects of the draft NPF4 as set out in the environmental report? Please give details of any additional relevant sources.

Q 3: What are your views on the potential health effects of the proposed national developments as set out in the environmental report?

Q 4: What are your views on the assessment of alternatives as set out in the environmental report?

Q 5: What are your views on the proposals for mitigation, enhancement and monitoring of the environmental effects set out in the environmental report?

8.3 How Will Responses Be Considered?

8.3.1 Following the consultation, a Post-Adoption Statement will be prepared. The Statement will reflect on the views provided on the findings of the assessment and the proposals in the draft NPF4 and will explain how the comments received have been taken into account in finalising the NPF.