SEA screening determinations
List of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) screening determinations.
Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy: consultation
Statement: screening determination 21 August 2025
I refer to the screening report prepared for the Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy (LUS), which was submitted to the SEA Gateway on 23 June 2025. Responses from the Consultation Authorities were received between 18 and 21 July 2025. The Consultation Authorities agreed that there is no likelihood of significant environmental effects.
The statement of reasons as to why no significant effects are expected was set out in the original screening request. To summarise, the LUS and any associated workstreams do not aim to prescribe how individuals manage specific parcels of land. Rather, the goal is to build a comprehensive understanding of the national land use picture—its opportunities, barriers, and the broader policy and support systems that influence individual decisions. Early conversations with expert stakeholders from a range of sectors have provided a clear view that the next LUS should not focus on developing new policy actions in a complex area. Instead it should focus on strategic policy alignment and clearer communication of priorities to policy-makers.
There are no new policies being put forward in the consultation that are at an appropriate stage of development to enable policy-level screening to take place at this time. It is recognised that should the consultation necessitate future development of specific, standalone policies for inclusion in the delivery plan which the consultation proposes, a separate SEA screening process will be required.
I am, therefore, writing on behalf of the Land Reform, Rural and Island Policy Division to confirm that the Scottish Government has determined, using the criteria set out in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005, that Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy is unlikely to have significant environmental effects. As the Consultation Authorities agree with this view, the Scottish Government has concluded that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required.
I enclose a copy of the determination advert which will be placed in the Edinburgh Gazette. I would be grateful if you could forward this to the SEA Consultation Authorities.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require any further information.
Yours sincerely,
Keith McWhinnie
Land Use Strategy Team
Advert text:
Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005: Section 8(1) Screening Determination
Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy – Consultation
The Scottish Government has determined that Scotland’s Fourth Land Use Strategy is not likely to have significant environmental effects and that a Strategic Environmental Assessment is therefore not required. The screening determination can be viewed at gov.scot.
A copy of the determination can be obtained by emailing LUS4@gov.scot. Written requests should be addressed to: Land Use Strategy Team, Scottish Government, D Spur, Saughton House, Edinburgh EH11 3XD.
Contact
Email: contactus@gov.scot