The Scottish Wildlife Trust is calling on MSPs to recognise the need for the National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) to deliver quality places where people in Scotland want to live and do business. Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 12th, MSPs will debate the issues facing the draft NPF3 and SSP.
Head of Policy and Planning for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Dr Maggie Keegan, has briefed all MSPs to remind them that society is dependent on the natural services that nature provides – and calls for a clear steer to be given to planners for the provision of high quality and connected green (and blue) spaces across Scotland.
In the brief, Dr Keegan said: “The environment is the context for all activity, be it economic or otherwise, and any meaningful planning strategy or policy should facilitate and promote the provision of accessible, high-quality, biologically diverse and connected green infrastructure.
“‘Designing in’ nature-rich and connected green (or blue) infrastructure across Scotland (which we would collectively call – a national ecological network), be it to benefit urban or rural communities, would bring health, social and economic advantages to Scotland.”
The economic implication of such a provision is also outlined in the brief – highlighting natural services which are worth £21 Billion per annum to the Scottish economy.
Drawing attention to the need for nature-based solutions to combat the issues of climate change, Dr Keegan said: “The financial benefits from such nature based solutions- especially with the impacts of climate change looming- are not trivial; flood prevention could save the Scottish economy at least £32 million every year and crop pollination is worth about £43 million per annum.”