On 1 April 2021, the Scottish Government introduced new and extended Permitted Development Rights (PDR) for the change of use of agricultural and forestry buildings to residential or commercial use. These PDR have expanded the range and scale of development that prospective developers are now able to progress without the need for a planning application. The guidance for application of the PDR does not show consideration of nature conservation designations, or Wildlife and Countryside Act provisions more widely.

This guidance note, produced by the CIEEM Scotland Policy Group, highlights relevant statutory biodiversity considerations and developer responsibilities in relation to development progressed under the Permitted Development Rights for agricultural and forestry buildings, in particular, having regard to potential impacts upon bats and breeding birds.