Finalised Structure Plan: Looking after the North East2

Wildlife, Landscape
and Land Resources

Built Heritage and
Archaeology

Design

Water Management

Forestry

Minerals

Waste Management

Four Tier Policy

Green Belt

Coastal Zone
Management

Figure 4

Moving about the North East

Keeping the Plan up to Date

Key Diagram

Glossary of Terms

WILDLIFE, LANDSCAPE AND LAND RESOURCES

4.5 There are internationally important designated areas, as well as national, regional and local sites throughout the North East. To reflect this, a hierarchical approach for the protection of nature conservation and landscape sites shall be adopted, as set out in NPPG 14 "Natural Heritage".

4.6 Biodiversity is not restricted to threatened species or habitats but involves the entire natural heritage, both within and outside specially designated sites. It can be threatened or lost due to increasing development, pollution, intensification of agriculture and forestry and the growing demands on natural resources as a result of the growth of the population. Biodiversity supplies the essentials needed for life, therefore it must be used wisely if development is to be truly sustainable. We cannot be developing sustainably if species and habitats continue to be depleted. Promoting biodiversity may sometimes impose constraints on development, but conservation and development should strive to be compatible and steps should be taken to minimise the potential for conflict. Development that enhances environmental quality, ecological status, viability and biodiversity of sites, species and habitats should be encouraged.

4.7 The North East Scotland Local Biodiversity Action Plan was published in January 2000 and a Cairngorms Local Biodiversity Action Plan is being prepared. These plans outline what can be done to foster biodiversity and highlight the widespread benefits for communities and their businesses of applying positive action.

4.8 All landscapes throughout Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire require care and attention when managing change, not only those which are designated. Landscape Character Assessments have been carried out in order to provide a better understanding of the character of different areas. The assessments can be useful in guiding development.

4.9 Less than 6% of all agricultural land in Scotland is defined as being of prime quality and is therefore a limited resource of national importance because it can be used to grow a wide range of crops. In the interest of sustainable development it is important to safeguard this land, and productive agricultural land in general, so that it can benefit present and future generations.

POLICY 19

Wildlife, Landscape and Land Resources

International designations: Development which would have an adverse effect on a Natura 2000 or Ramsar site will only be permitted where there is no alternative solution and there are imperative reasons of over-riding public interest, including those of a social, environmental or economic nature. Where a priority habitat or species (as defined in Article 1 of the Habitats Directive) would be affected, prior consultation with the European Commission (through Scottish Natural Heritage) is required, unless the development is necessary for overriding public health or safety reasons.

National designations: Development which would have an adverse effect on a Site of Special Scientific Interest, National Nature Reserve, National Scenic Area, Prime Quality Agricultural Land or habitat or species identified as priorities in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan will only be permitted where the objectives of the designation and the overall integrity of the area will not be compromised or any significant adverse effects on the qualities for which the area has been designated are clearly outweighed by social and economic benefits of national importance.

Regional/local designations: Development which would have an adverse effect on Local or non-statutory Nature Reserves, District Wildlife Sites, Ancient Woodlands, wildlife corridors, species and habitats identified as priorities in the Local Biodiversity Action Plans, Sites of Interest to Natural Science, Areas of Landscape Significance, or other sites identified in local plans will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that any damaging impact is considered acceptable overall or there is a public interest which outweighs the conservation interest.

Where development is allowed which could affect any of the above designated sites, including beyond their boundaries, appropriate measures shall be taken to conserve and enhance the site’s ecological, geological or geomorphological interest.

Everywhere else: Development will be sited and designed to avoid adverse impacts on the biodiversity of a site, including its environmental quality, ecological status and viability. All new development should take into consideration the character of the landscape in terms of scale, siting, form and design. Developers are encouraged to seek sites which would not entail the permanent loss of productive agricultural land.

Note: The various designations in this policy are defined in the Report of Survey or its Addendum. Further information is available in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils’ planning offices.

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This page was last updated on: 23 April 2001