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Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of living organisms within land, marine and freshwater ecosystems, and the ecological systems they're part of. This includes diversity within species, between species, and across ecosystems (Scottish Biodiversity Strategy 2022-2045).
Biodiversity supports human life, providing food, water and materials, as well as natural services like shade, cooling, shelter, flood defences, and water and nutrient cycles.
Biodiversity in planning applications
All planning applications, other than those for individual householder developments like extensions, must include information on how the biodiversity interest of the development site will be conserved, restored and enhanced (Policy 3, NPF4).
To help applicants with local scale development, we've produced guidance and a biodiversity form, which must be completed and submitted with relevant local scale planning applications in Orkney.
Biodiversity measures are secured by planning condition and must be retained for the lifetime of the development, so it's worth considering their location and how easy they'll be to maintain for future owners or occupiers. For example:
- avoid creating biodiversity measures in flatter areas of garden ground that would prevent extensions or children's play areas being built
- avoid measures that may be difficult to maintain long term, such as wildflower meadows
- biodiversity measures located around boundaries tend to work best, as they can also provide privacy and shelter
Separate guidance is due to be published by the Scottish Government for national and major scale developments, including those requiring Environmental Impact Assessment.
Related resources
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Considering and Including Biodiversity in Development
This document contains guidance for considering biodiversity in Orkney development and explains when planning applications need biodiversity information. It sets out how to assess a site, avoid harm, retain or restore existing features, and add suitable measures suited to Orkney’s windy maritime conditions. It includes a worked example, a blank biodiversity form, advice on monitoring, and alternatives to measures that may work poorly in Orkney.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Biodiversity Form
This document contains the Orkney Islands Council Biodiversity Form for planning applications. It asks applicants to describe existing habitats and species, supported by photographs and site plans. It also covers steps to protect, restore and improve biodiversity, including suitable plant species, monitoring and maintenance arrangements, and any advice received and used in the development.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Biodiversity duty
The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 places a duty on all public bodies, including us, to further the conservation of biodiversity in carrying out their responsibilities, known as the biodiversity duty. In meeting this duty, public bodies must have regard to the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 requires public bodies to publish a report every 3 years on the actions taken to comply with the biodiversity duty.
Related resources
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Biodiversity Duty Report 2020 to 2023
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s biodiversity duty report for 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2023. It explains how biodiversity is considered in Council services, plans and planning decisions, and summarises actions such as habitat improvements, conservation road verges, beach cleans, tree planting and wildlife protection. It also covers public engagement, staff training and environmental monitoring. The report highlights climate change, pests, limited resources and planning guidance as key future challenges.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Biodiversity Duty Report 2018 to 2020
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s Biodiversity Duty Report for 2018-2020. It explains how biodiversity was included in Council plans, planning decisions and services, and describes work to protect habitats and species on land and at sea. It covers conservation projects, wildlife monitoring, education, community involvement and partnerships, including efforts to remove invasive stoats. The report also highlights achievements and challenges and shows how the Council contributed to Scotland’s national biodiversity targets.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Scottish Biodiversity Strategy(opens in new tab)
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Find out more about the biodiversity duty from NatureScot(opens in new tab)