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What is an elevated building? A building where structures such as pillars or stilts are used to raise it above the expected flood water level. The ground below the building remains at risk of flooding and allows for the free flow of water. Context for this position statement This position statement constitutes part of ‘relevant SEPA advice’ as referred to in criterion a) iv of the National Plannin

Our vision is that Scotland will be a global leader in tackling the effects and impacts of climate change and its associated extremes and through partnerships we will find the solutions required to secure a sustainable, prosperous future. The Sustainable Growth Agreement will demonstrate through practical solutions how to maximise environmental, social and economic opportunities to enable and help

Legislation directs SEPA to assess and classify each shellfish protected area. To deliver this we work closely with Food Standards Scotland (FSS). FSS sample, analyse and report water quality in production areas throughout the year to ensure shellfish are safe for consumption, or determine if they require further treatment. At the end of each year FSS provide SEPA with this data who use it to clas

The developers behind the new town of Shawfair, in Edinburgh, have committed to a landmark Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA) that is the first of its kind in the planning and construction sector. The three-year agreement between Shawfair LLP, Midlothian Council and SEPA creates a partnership that will work together to deliver a world class exemplar development within One Planet limits. The shared

Information regarding activities that may be exempt from waste management licensing, and the statutory controls to prevent environmental pollution and harm to human health From the 1st November 2025, you will no longer be able to apply for the exemptions listed on this page. The information on this page remains to help existing exemption holders comply with their legal obligations, before transitioning to the new Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulation (EASR) framework for authorisations. To find out what authorisation you will need when your exemption exp

Biodiversity is a key element that needs to be considered in many planning systems. River basin management planning (RBMP) Through RBMP we work with our partners to identify, prioritise and deliver biodiversity enhancement and protection of the water environment. The Land Use Strategy and the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy call for a more integrated approach to land and water management across who

Data returns Many environmental licences include a requirement to submit data returns or other reporting requirements on an annual or quarterly basis. What should you do? We are now actively reviewing many of the data returns and kindly request you to submit any outstanding returns for the following areas: Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) - SPRI returns are due by the 28th of February e

Find information about our Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA) with Superglass here. Through this Sustainable Growth Agreement (SGA), SEPA and Superglass have agreed to work collaboratively to deliver powerful environmental performance. The agreement aims to enable Superglass to further move its business towards long-term prosperity (environmental, social and economic success) by identifying opportunities for Superglass to go beyond compliance and develop new and innovative produc

Diffuse Pollution in the Rural Environment A programme of rural diffuse pollution work started in March 2010, to help deliver the objectives outlined in the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) for the Scotland and Solway-Tweed river basin districts.  Diffuse pollution priority catchments have been identified by SEPA as catchments failing to meet environmental standards. Each catchment has a dedic

Our groundwater monitoring networks ensure that Scotland’s groundwater supplies are adequately protected. SEPA’s nitrate monitoring network aims to identify areas affected by nitrate pollution, or at risk of being affected, and to find out if any improvement actions taken to address nitrate problems are effective. To achieve these aims, SEPA currently monitors 270 groundwater sites across Scotland