Scotland 2045: fourth National Planning Framework - draft: integrated impact assessment - non-technical summary

6. What are the likely significant environmental effects of the draft NPF4?

6.1 Biodiversity, flora and fauna: The draft NPF4 would establish climate change and nature recovery as primary guiding principles for all plans and decisions, and the emphasis on protecting and enhancing biodiversity is expected to lead to significant long term cumulative positive effects on biodiversity, flora and fauna, including through new universal policies on enhancing biodiversity.

6.2 Climatic factors: Collectively, the draft policies and proposals set out in the draft NPF4 are expected to have significant long term positive effects on climatic factors, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and helping facilitate a transition to net zero. As they embed actions to increase community and infrastructure resilience to extreme weather events, the policies and proposals can also support adaptation to climate change.

6.3 The lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) assessment of the proposed national developments found that overall, the greatest reductions are likely to be in terms of electricity and, to a lesser extent, transport. While the industrial, manufacture and construction processes sector is likely to experience the largest increase in direct emissions, this will enable direct and indirect emission reductions across other sectors.

6.4 Air: Draft policies and proposals which reduce emissions overall are likely to have cumulative positive effects on air quality. In addition to effects on ecosystems, air pollution affects health and this can impact on more vulnerable people, making air quality an important health inequalities issue. Measures to improve air quality can therefore have cumulative secondary benefits for biodiversity and population and human health. This could be particularly beneficial in areas where air quality issues currently arise.

6.5 Negative impacts on noise and air quality, including dust and odour, may arise during construction of the national developments. These will be temporary and local in nature, and will be managed at the stage when specific projects are brought forward for consent.

6.6 Water: The overall focus on climate change and climate change adaptation will have cumulative positive effects on water through increased focus on flood risk, water shortages and coastal erosion. Secondary benefits to biodiversity may arise where nature based solutions to flood risk management are implemented. Polices and proposals may also improve water supply and waste-water systems.

6.7 Proposals for waterfront developments and new development at ports and harbours may negatively impact water during construction and operational phases, and will require managed at the stage when specific projects are brought forward for consent.

6.8 Soil: Several aspects of the draft NPF4 are likely to have positive cumulative benefits for soils. For example, draft policies seek to protect peat and carbon-rich soils. Proposals relating to woodland expansion and green infrastructure can help improve soil stability and drainage, and can help to improve the quality of places. Positive cumulative effects on soils are also expected from the emphasis on the reuse of derelict and vacant land, with secondary positive impacts on water quality.

6.9 There is potential for negative effects on soils arising from some of the proposed national developments, which will need to be managed in plans and at the stage when specific projects are brought forward for consent.

6.10 Cultural heritage and Historic Environment: Significant positive cumulative effects on cultural heritage are expected, given the emphasis within the draft NPF4 on protecting and enhancing locally, regionally, nationally and internationally valued historic assets and places. Draft policies and proposals relating to woodland expansion and green infrastructure may act to improve the setting of historic assets. The emphasis within NPF4 on reusing vacant buildings may help to bring buildings at risk back into use.

6.11 There is potential for negative effects arising including from some national development proposals which will need to be managed in plans and at the stage when specific projects are brought forward for consent.

6.12 Landscape and Geodiversity: There is potential for some of the proposed national developments and draft policies to result in negative effects on landscapes and careful consideration will be required at plan and project consenting stages.

6.13 Initiatives such as the Central Scotland Green Network and national walking and cycling routes provide opportunities to protect and enhance townscapes and landscapes and to increase experience and enjoyment of these. Draft policies which lead to increased woodland and forestry have potential to improve landscape character, depending on the scale and nature of change. Furthermore, support for peatland protection and restoration could also benefit some iconic and culturally significant landscapes.

6.14 Material assets: The focus on an infrastructure first approach within the draft NPF4 can ensure that places function effectively and development improves, rather than detracts from quality of life. Promoting greater coordination of infrastructure works and planning, at both the regional and local scales, can minimise the potential for negative indirect and cumulative effects, for example through reduced disturbance during construction stages, and through reduced fragmentation of green infrastructure and nature networks.

6.15 An increase in development, for example housing or renewable energy, could lead to increased pressures on existing land uses. However, the potential for such conflicts would remain key considerations in the planning system, particularly through development plans where key decisions on sites and delivery are made. The potential for environmental impacts will continue to be considered through SEA and Habitats Regulations Appraisal of development plans, as well as through the development management process at individual project level.

6.16 Population and Human Health: The draft policies and proposals have potential to give rise to significant benefits for population and human health.

6.17 Health and wellbeing benefits may arise where policies and certain proposed national developments lead to more people walking, wheeling and cycling. Increased physical activity, improved access to the outdoors, education, facilities and services, and quality local green spaces, are also likely to have long term significant positive effects on physical and mental health. Positive impacts could also arise from improved sense of place including benefits for communities. Benefits can be maximised where a focus is given to areas experiencing current levels of disadvantage.