Guidance and advice notes
SEPA’s triage framework: guidance for planning authorities and SEPA
General advice and guidance on flood risk – Development Management
SEPA position statement on elevated buildings in areas of flood risk
Guidance on how our flood maps can be used to ensure new development avoids areas at flood risk
Climate change allowances for flood risk assessment in land use planning
Explanatory note on the difference between our planning guidance and future flood maps
SEPA Flood Risk Standing Advice for Planning Authorities and Developers for lower risk applications
Local Development Plan Guidance
We have a duty to cooperate with planning authorities in the preparation of Local Development Plans. To support this role we have published the following guidance and advice.
SEPA Planning Advice Note for Planning Authorities - LPD Evidence Gathering: Water Scarcity
Other Development Management guidance and advice updated since the publication of NPF4
SEPA standing advice for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and Marine Directorate on marine consultations - Standing advice provided to apply to all marine development proposals except a development proposal of potentially significant impact on aspects of the environment directly regulated by SEPA which is not dealt with adequately by our standing advice or is novel or unusual in which case please consult us specifying exactly the aspect of the environment regulated by SEPA on which advice is sought.
Guidance on Assessing the Impacts of Developments on Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems - Guidance which sets out SEPA’s expectations for the assessment of impact of developments on Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE). It is intended for developers, local authorities, and determining authorities.
Guidance on Assessing the Impacts of Development on Groundwater Abstractions - Guidance which sets out SEPA’s expectations for the assessment of impact of developments on groundwater abstractions, both public and private water supplies. It is intended for developers, local authorities, and determining authorities.
Forestry and Woodland Strategies Standing Advice for Planning Authorities
Co-location standing advice for planning authorities - Standing advice for development proposals, at both the development management and development plan stage, in the vicinity of SEPA authorised sites.
Assessing Risks to Water Environment Associated with Burial Grounds - Guidance intended for developers and local authorities developing or extending existing burial grounds in terms of protection of the water environment
Contact us
If you have any questions or require any further information or advice on any aspect of planning, please contact us.