Planning News

The Scottish Government has published updated Planning Guidance: Biodiversity (December 2025), which sets out expectations for how National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) policies should be applied to support nature recovery through the planning system. The guidance is aimed at planning authorities, developers and applicants, and is intended to support a consistent approach to decision-making across Scotland.

The guidance underpins the cross-cutting NPF4 outcome of improving biodiversity and reinforces the requirement that development proposals contribute to leaving biodiversity in a demonstrably better state than before intervention. It should be read alongside NPF4, which must be applied as a whole, with significant weight given to the climate and nature crises in all planning decisions.

What developers need to know

The guidance highlights several important points for those preparing and submitting development proposals:

• Biodiversity should be considered from the outset, as a core part of site selection and design. Early ecological understanding can help avoid delays and reduce the need for later design changes.
• The mitigation hierarchy remains fundamental: impacts should be avoided first, then minimised, restored, and only offset as a last resort.
• Development proposals are expected to protect, restore and enhance biodiversity, with a clear emphasis on delivering on-site measures first, before considering off-site delivery where necessary.
• Nature networks and ecological connectivity are a key focus, with development expected to strengthen links between habitats and avoid fragmentation.
• For national, major and EIA development, applicants must demonstrate how biodiversity will be conserved, restored and enhanced, including arrangements for future management. Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) can play an important role in supporting applications, even where Environmental Impact Assessment is not required.
• The guidance signals the future introduction of a Scottish biodiversity metric, currently being developed by NatureScot. In the meantime, a flexible and proportionate approach is encouraged, using qualitative or quantitative methods where appropriate.
• Proposals should clearly set out how long-term delivery, management and monitoring of biodiversity benefits will be secured.

Where to find the guidance

The Scottish Government Planning Guidance: Biodiversity is available on the Scottish Government website and a copy can be found here. The guidance is intended to be a living document and will be updated as practice develops.

Shetland-specific advice

When preparing development proposals in Shetland, applicants are encouraged to consider biodiversity requirements at an early stage, including through pre-application discussions where appropriate. Proposals should also be informed by the Shetland Local Development Plan and any relevant local biodiversity information or advice.

Early engagement can help ensure biodiversity considerations are proportionate, locally appropriate and clearly set out within planning submissions.

Useful Links

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy

Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Delivery Plan

Nature Scot State of Nature Report

Nature Scot

Pre-application advice – Shetland Islands Council

Local Development Plan – Shetland Islands Council

Biodiversity advice now available for local developers – Shetland Islands Council