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Aquaculture planning – the Role of SNH. Dominic Counsell Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Unit (CMEU), Edinburgh. SNH Remit – ‘All of nature for all of Scotland’. Scottish Natural Heritage is funded by the Scottish Government. Our purpose is to:
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Aquaculture planning – the Role of SNH Dominic Counsell Coastal and Marine Ecosystems Unit (CMEU), Edinburgh
SNH Remit – ‘All of nature for all of Scotland’ • Scottish Natural Heritage is funded by the Scottish Government. Our purpose is to: • promote care for and improvement of the natural heritage • help people enjoy it responsibly • enable greater understanding and awareness of it • promote its sustainable use, now and for future generations • Scotland’s natural heritage is its wildlife, habitats, landscapes and natural beauty • Based on statutory purposes set out in the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991.
We work with others to help good development happen in the right places We provide advice to planners and developers We seek changes to proposals to improve the outcome for nature and landscapes We identify significant opportunities to enhance the natural heritage through development By: Contributing to a sound evidence base and appropriate Strategic Environmental Assessment scoping Helping shape a sustainable spatial strategy Contributing to relevant items of supplementary guidance Committing to help deliver the plan Planning: SNH role
SNH will help deliver a faster planning process by focusing on development planning and the pre-application stage of development management. We will make our data, information and guidance more easily available. We will be proportionate in highlighting the information required to support an application We are endeavouring to be consistent in our approach When required, we coordinate casework with partner agencies – eg SEPA – so as to give complementary advice We seek more effective engagement with developers before applications are submitted (at the pre-application stage) Planning: SNH engagement
Mandatory consultations Cases affecting European sites: Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and candidate sites collectively known as Natura sites, and Ramsar sites Development proposals that require an Environmental Impact Assessment Development proposals affecting Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) including National Nature Reserves (NNR) Certain types of development in National Scenic Areas that meet the criteria as outlined in the TCP (Scotland) NSA Direction 1987* All other consultations are discretionary. There are other circumstances when we would like to be consulted, please phone to discuss Development ManagementWhat we want to be consulted on:
Serpula vermicularis reef Mytilus edulis beds Modiolus modiolus (horse mussel) bed
Marine • Fresh Water • Coastal • Species • Otters • Cetaceans • Seals • Birds • Landscape • Access & recreation • Planners SNH statutory consultee process Planning or CAR Planning or CAR consultation Area Staff Area Staff Policy and Advice Suzanne Henderson Owen McGrath Colin Bean Final Response Final Response
Natural Heritage Information requests • Natura Sites (SAC, SPA) • In addition to EIA • 3 tests: • Is the proposal necessary for site management for nature conservation? • Is the proposal likely to have a significant effect on the site’s qualifying interest? • Can it be ascertained the proposal will not adversely affect the integrity of the site? Conservation Objectives: To ensure for the qualifying habitats that the following are maintained in the long term: Extent of the habitat on site Distribution of the habitat within site Structure and function of the habitat Distribution of typical species of the habitat No significant disturbance of typical species of the habitat, etc Qualifying Habitats: • Reefs; • Shallow inlets and bays
Information requirements Benthic biodiversity impacts Predator control and Interactions with wildlife Landscape and visual impacts Containment and Impact upon wild fish Non-native species
SNH guidance Marine Aquaculture and the Landscape: The siting and design of marine aquaculture developments in the landscape. 2000. A. Grant Landscape/Seascape carrying capacity for aquaculture. 2008 A Handbook on Environmental Impact Assessment: guidance for competent authorities, consultees and others involved in the EIA process in Scotland. 2005.D. Tyldesley www.snh.gov.uk/pubs
Aquaculture processes for streamlined planning Sharing Good Practice event25th Nov 2010 Battleby Conference CentrePH1 3EWBattleby Redgorton PERTH Tel: 01738 458551 Event Contact details: The Sharing Good Practice Team on 01738 458555 or email sgp@snh.gov.uk