Planning

SEPA is identified as a key agency under the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 and is proactively assisting delivery of the Scottish Government's commitment to provide a more effective and efficient planning system. We provide formal environmental advice in relation to development plans and on wide range of development proposals across Scotland.

Whether you are a planning authority, a developer, a consultant, a member of the public, or any other party with an interest in SEPA’s role in the planning system, this section of our website will provide you with all our planning guidance notes and advice on different development types and topics

We enable good development and protect Scotland’s environment through the planning system by focusing on the consultations where we can add most value. Engagement with planning authorities from the outset ensures we can support development plan proposals and aid the implementation of a genuinely plan-led land use planning system. We also welcome early engagement on larger developments to help you identify opportunities, constraints and solutions. For small-scale local developments please refer to our Standing advice for small scale development pdf link (47k).

The guidance note How and when to consult SEPA pdf link (41k) gives detailed information on how to consult us and what types of development to consult us on. To assist, we have developed a checklist word link image (64k) for planning authorities to use when consulting with us on planning applications.

We are working to expand this area of our website and will update it as more guidance and advice becomes available. If you are unable to find the advice you need then please contact your local SEPA planning team.

We have a programme of role resolution with other key agencies in relation to which issues we comment on. At present we engage on the following areas:

  • Protection of people, property and infrastructure from flood risk.

  • Promotion of sustainable waste management.

  • Protection of the water environment (both surface water and ground water).

  • Risks to the environment or human health arising from development on or near radioactively contaminated land and on or near a designated Part IIA Special Site.

  • Protection of the marine environment.

  • Good air quality.

  • Noise and odour in relation to processes regulated by SEPA (protection of residential amenity, sensitive receptors).

  • Potential consentability under SEPA’s regulatory regimes

In an effort to be open and transparent about our role in the planning process, we have made a number of our internal procedural guidance notes available.

Advice by development type

Advice by topic

Planning guidance notes

We have a number of guidance notes in relation to our role and responsibilities in the planning process. We are making as many of the guidance documents below available online as quickly as possible. Those coloured blue are links and available online now:

Document Size
pdf link How and when to consult SEPA 41k
word link image Checklist for planning authorities when consulting SEPA 64K
pdf link Standing advice for small scale local development 47k
pdf link Development planning guidance 200k
pdf link Development management guidance 95k
pdf link Planning, Energy and Climate Change Position Statement 42k
pdf link Flood risk position statement 69k
Flood risk guidance [to follow shortly] -
pdf link Wastewater drainage position statement 90k
pdf link Surface water drainage guidance 64k
word link image National Waste Strategy and development plan guidance
[currently being updated]
271k
word link image National Waste Strategy and development management guidance
[currently being updated]
234k
pdf link Land subject to contamination issues guidance 45k
pdf link Planning guidance in relation to SEPA-regulated sites and processes 92k
pdf link Planning guidance on windfarm developments 84k