Avoid developments on peatland
Reduce loss of peatland through development, ensure any loss is offset through appropriate restoration secured in the long term and properly monitor losses.
Peatland is lost as a result of a range of developments that require planning consent, such as including renewable energy projects, residential housing and road projects. Developers should comply with the requirements of policy 5 of National Planning Framework 4 which states that
“Development proposals will only be supported if they are designed and constructed: i. In accordance with the mitigation hierarchy by first avoiding and then minimising the amount of disturbance to soils on undeveloped land; and ii. In a manner that protects soil from damage including from compaction and erosion, and that minimises soil sealing.”
and also
“Where development on peatland, carbon-rich soils or priority peatland habitat is proposed, a detailed site specific assessment will be required to identify:
- The baseline depth, habitat condition, quality and stability of carbon rich soils;
- the likely effects of the development on peatland, including on soil disturbance; and
iii. the likely net effects of the development on climate emissions and loss of carbon.“
It is important that compliance with this policy is monitored to ensure that it is effective in protecting soil carbon.
It is also important that a clear understanding of any losses is achieved. It is potentially misleading to claim benefits for gains through restoration when the direct loss of peatland or degradation of condition as a result of built development is not currently accounted for. Scottish Government, ideally via a single agency, should require developers to robustly assess and report to them any losses which have resulted from development on their sites and maintain a publicly available overview of these.
For further information:
- Peatland damage, IUCN UK Peatland Programme, 2023, https://www.iucn-uk-peatlandprogramme. org/about-peatlands/peatland-damage
