Offshore wind - compensating for adverse effects on Protected European Sites: statutory guidance 2026

3. Cross Border Impacts and Considerations

This guidance applies where an offshore wind plan or project is predicted to have adverse effects in Scottish waters, including both:

• Scottish inshore waters (within 12 nm); and

• Scottish offshore waters (beyond 12 nm).

3.1 Impacts outside Scottish waters

Where impacts are predicted to cause adverse effects in English, Welsh or Northern Irish waters, you must follow the relevant UK Government guidance on identifying compensatory measures for offshore wind.^[14]

3.2 Projects with impacts in more than one UK area

Where impacts are predicted to occur in both Scottish waters and other UK waters, the guidance for each area where impacts occur must be applied:

• use Scottish guidance for impacts in Scottish waters; and

• use UK Government guidance for impacts in English, Welsh or Northern Irish waters.

3.3 Delivering Compensatory Measures in Scotland

If you propose to deliver compensatory measures in Scotland, including to address impacts predicted outside Scottish waters (e.g. English waters), you should contact the Scottish Government at an early stage and provide clear information on the type, location and expected environmental benefits of the proposed measures.

3.4 Statutory Advice

The relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Body (SNCB) to be consulted depends on where the impact occurs (see Table 1). For impacts in Scottish waters, the SNCB is NatureScot.