Develop and publish a biodiversity metric for Scotland’s planning system, to support delivery of NPF4 Policy 3b.
Objective 2: Protect nature on land and at sea, across and beyond Protected Areas
Priority Action 12. Champion new planning and development measures for protecting and enhancing biodiversity
Scottish Government first commissioned NatureScot to develop this metric in December 2023, creating uncertainty as to how Biodiversity Enhancement (as required in Policy 3) should be delivered ahead of a Scottish Metric being published. Work on the biodiversity metric is ongoing but delayed, with key design decisions still to be finalised and version one of the metric currently slated for publication at some point in 2027. These include habitat classification, how biodiversity value is scored (including peatlands and priority habitats) and how to balance standardised numerical scoring with ecological judgement on the ground.
A draft metric is expected to go to consultation in summer 2026, with opportunities to test the draft. but clear guidance will be needed to avoid premature or inconsistent use.
Whilst it’s critical the number crunching mechanisms of a Scottish metric actually encourage conservation work which supports the SBS, a metric tool can only ever support decision making within a wider Biodiversity Enhancement policy framework with clear guidance. This includes questions around quantifying ‘significant enhancement’, enforcement and what steps and support will be given to upskill and support the implementation across LPAs. Biodiversity Enhancement and a Scottish Metric cannot effectively support the delivery of the SBS whilst there is so much policy uncertainty.
The metric needs to be clear, consistent, and practical. It should:
– Properly value priority and irreplaceable habitats in Scotland
– Support long-term habitat creation and restoration
– Include ecological judgement, not just scoring
– Avoid unintended negative incentives
– Be easy to use and consistently applied
– Clear guidance, strong testing and good monitoring will be essential.
There is currently no evidence of consistent application of a Scottish biodiversity metric in decision-making, meaning outcomes remain dependent on local interpretation of Policy 3 rather than a standardised national approach.
Once implemented, a well-designed metric could significantly strengthen biodiversity outcomes in the planning system by standardising assessment, improving consistency across planning authorities, and ensuring better protection and enhancement of priority habitats. However, this will depend on robust testing, clear guidance, and integration with enforcement and monitoring to avoid inconsistent or unintended outcomes.
NatureScot Business Plan 2026–2027
National Planning Framework 4 (Policy 3 – Biodiversity)
NatureScot – Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric – Latest Updates
Raise awareness and promote the Developing with Nature guidance to support delivery of NPF4 policy 3c and develop user-friendly version of the guidance.
Support wider ongoing work on building skills and capacity on biodiversity and nature across the planning system, including through information sharing events.
Ensure that development provides positive effects for biodiversity, by developing clear guidance on the implementation and delivery of NPF4 policies which support the cross-cutting outcome ‘improving biodiversity’.
Develop and adopt a National Marine Plan 2 (NMP2) that supports action on the twin crises, setting out planning policies on climate mitigation and adaptation, nature protection and enhancement, and sustainable use to guide decisions and activities in line with our ambitions for Scotland’s Seas.
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