Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric - Latest Updates

June 2026

• A new report, NatureScot Research Report 1404 – Active peatland and peatland condition, by University of the Highlands and Islands offers recommendations on clarifying terms used to define peatlands, and on assessing peatland condition for development management purposes. The report’s recommended condition assessment approach (the InSAR Field-based Rapid Assessment Tool) will be the proposed peatland condition assessment methodology for the forthcoming Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric and will be consulted upon as part of the wider public consultation on the metric later this summer.

January 2026

• Going forward, it has been agreed with Scottish Government that the biodiversity metric being developed by NatureScot will be referred to as the Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric (SPBM) although for the sake of brevity on this web page we also refer to it as “the Scottish metric”.
• When considering terrestrial habitat classification in the Scottish metric, in summary we propose to adapt the English statutory biodiversity metric approach in a way that retains reliance on the UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) as an underlying basis for metric habitat categories. Work to finalise the list of habitats that will be recognised in the SPBM is ongoing. See ‘Proposed habitat classification approach for terrestrial habitats’ section on our Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric - Development and Guidance webpage for further information.
• To inform decisions regarding the proposed terrestrial habitat classification approach, we commissioned an independent review of habitat classification systems that could be used in the Scottish metric. The finalised report, A review of habitat classifications for their potential use in a Scottish Planning Biodiversity Metric is now available to view on our website.
• In December 2025, we published a Frequently Asked Questions page on our website to address some of the common questions regarding the development of the Scottish metric. The FAQs will be added to periodically, to address further questions of interest to stakeholders. 

October 2025: 

• A short video providing an October 2025 update on the Scottish biodiversity metric project has been released by the Improvement Service and is now available to view:

• Guidance is available on our website on the use of existing biodiversity metrics in the Scottish planning system. This is intended to provide an overview of how metric tools work, good practice advice on the use of biodiversity metrics in a planning context, and a factual explanation of the key differences between the currently published metric tools that are publicly available.
• Relevant to the metric project, NatureScot recently published a position statement on the acceptability of delivering NPF4 Policy 3 biodiversity measures on protected areas.
• Work is progressing on the development of the Scottish biodiversity metric. We are currently expecting to be able to consult on a draft metric tool and guidance in mid-2026.

June 2025:

• Guidance has recently been published on our website on the use of existing biodiversity metrics in the Scottish planning system. This is intended to provide an overview of how metric tools work, good practice advice on the use of biodiversity metrics in a planning context, and a factual explanation of the key differences between the currently published metric tools that are publicly available.
• Work is progressing on the development of the Scottish biodiversity metric. We are currently expecting to be able to consult on a draft metric tool and guidance in 2026.
• Advance signalling of the intended direction for various elements of the metric, such as the proposed terrestrial habitat classification approach, is expected to be published on this webpage in the coming months.
• An introductory presentation providing a useful overview of the Scottish biodiversity metric project, originally presented at an Improvement Service event in December 2024, is now available to view on YouTube.  

September 2024:

• Our consultation on the key issues to be addressed when developing a Scottish biodiversity metric closed on the 10th May 2024. A summary of the key issues identified through the consultation is now available.
• A roundtable discussion on the development of a Scottish biodiversity metric was held on 1 May 2024.  An overview of the comments and topics discussed can be read in the meeting summary note.