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Protection of the marine environment

Scottish Planning Policy considers coastal areas to be of national and even international significance and an important contributor to sustainable economic growth. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring the sustainable use of our coasts and seas and the resources that they contain. The aim is to secure a vision of clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse marine and coastal environments, managed to meet the long term needs of nature and people. In order to provide a framework for the sustainable development of the Scottish marine area, a new planning system is being introduced through the Marine (Scotland) Act.

Statutory planning control under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and associated legislation extends to the mean low water mark of ordinary spring tides, and to marine fish farming. The preparation of a national marine plan and subsequent regional marine plans under the Marine (Scotland) Act will guide and direct future development decisions in the marine environment.

Our Marine development and marine aquaculture planning guidance  (512k) provides advice on the approach we take when dealing with marine development and aquaculture consultations. Given the pace at which marine policy is developing at national and international levels, we will continue to ensure that our advice and guidance is up to date.

Application requirements for marine developments

Appendix 2 of our guidance  (512k) on marine development and aquaculture provides a list of the issues that we expect to be addressed in marine development consultations. This information should be submitted in support of a planning application, either as part of an Environmental Statement, or as supporting information for a marine development.

Aquaculture

Scottish planning policy recognises aquaculture as a nationally important industry, particularly for coastal and island communities. The Scottish Government’s policy on aquaculture is set out in A Fresh Start – the Renewed Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture .

For additional information on aquaculture, please refer to the aquaculture section of our website. For information regarding licences, permits and registrations, as well as other fish farming guidance, please refer to our fish farm page. We have also produced a Waste Minimisation Guide for the aquaculture industry in Scotland.

Application requirements for aquaculture developments

In order to speed the application process, we have examined our information requirements to ensure that only information that is really essential is sought. Appendix 3 of our guidance  (512k) on marine development and aquaculture provides a list of the minimum information requirements we expect to be submitted in support of a planning application, either as part of an Environmental Statement, or as supporting information for a marine finfish application. Please be advised that for marine developments and marine aquaculture developments, additional information may be required depending on the details of the proposal and site location.

Scottish Planning Policy

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)  sets out the Scottish Government’s policy on nationally important land use planning matters. SPP provides policy on coastal planning in paragraphs 98-103 and on fish farming in paragraphs 104-109.

SEPA policy and guidance

Marine development and marine aquaculture planning guidance  (512k)

Regulatory and best practice advice

Regulatory and best practice advice relating to marine environment interests includes pollution prevention advice and fish farming.

Working arrangement

One of the key objectives under Delivering Planning Reform for Aquaculture is for public organisations to collaborate in the development of improved services. In response to this, a Working arrangement  (878kb) between SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage, Marine Scotland Science and District Salmon Fishery Boards has been developed. This arrangement provides details of the responsibilities of each organisation, as well as why and how each organisation provides input to planning authorities on aquaculture developments (including the sharing of relevant information currently held by consultees). This will help clarify roles and responsibilities, avoid duplication and overlap, and ensure that requirements for information and analysis are proportionate.