Scotland planning news, June 2018
01 Jun 2018
Contents |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
|
01
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
02
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
03
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
04
|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Print this planning news
Headline news |
||
Stage 1 Report on the Planning (Scotland) Bill published
On 17 May, the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Communities Committee published its Stage 1 Report on the Planning (Scotland) Bill.
The Report expresses the Committee’s broad support for the proposals included in the Bill, acknowledging the range of approaches and timescales of the Scottish Government’s previous consultations that have led to what has been included in the Bill.
Among the Report’s recommendations, the Committee supports the inclusion of a ‘purpose of planning’ within the Bill, which should reflect:
‘[…] the ambition to create high quality places, to protect and enhance the environment, to meet human rights to housing, health and livelihoods, to create economic prosperity and to meet Scotland’s climate change goals and international obligations.’
This recommendation is also supported by RTPI Scotland, which commented that an explicit statement on the public purpose of planning ‘would provide a strong sense of direction for all users of the planning system while not introducing undue complexity and uncertainty’.
Other recommendations include the Committee suggesting provision for ‘greater coherence between a range of national policy areas, such as climate change, energy, marine planning and transport’. It also recommends not repealing the current statutory framework for regional planning.
Although the Committee recognises that the Bill has the potential to improve the planning process, it suggests that ‘the role of communities and the Parliament needs to be strengthened’.
On the matter of whether rights of appeal in the planning system should be equalised, the Committee does not express a clear view; its recommendation on the matter simply urges the Scottish Parliament to look at both sides of the argument in the long-running debate before Stage 2 of the Bill, when MSPs will consider the details of the Bill and make changes to its text.
The Scottish Parliament Local Government and Communities Committee, ‘Stage 1 Report on the Planning (Scotland) BillRTPI Scotland, Planning Bill must make clear planning will defend public interest
|
|
Quote of the month |
|
| Local Government and Communities Committee Convener Bob Doris, commenting on the Committee’s Stage 1 Report on the Planning (Scotland) Bill | ||
Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015: progress report for 2017 published
The Scottish Government has published its annual progress report on the Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, outlining the main achievements over the course of last year and up to March 2018, as well as looking forward to development scheduled for this year and beyond.
Over the period to March 2018, £3bn worth of infrastructure projects have opened, or construction has been completed, with the Queensferry Crossing being the main expenditure (a £1.35bn investment).
During the rest of 2018, £4.1bn worth of infrastructure schemes are estimated to be under construction.
The Investment Plan also covers housing; the report refers to the Scottish Government’s current Parliamentary term (2016-21) target of delivering more than 50,000 affordable homes. This includes 35,000 homes being for social rent, backed by more than £3 billion of investment. The report also makes mention of the current reform of the planning system, ‘with a focus on improving the effectiveness of planning processes that support the delivery of good quality housing developments’. The Planning (Scotland) Bill is described as ‘a vital element of a wide package of reforms’, it having been introduced in response to the May 2016 Independent Review of the planning system.
Scottish Government, Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015, Progress Report for 2017
£35m of further investment in affordable housing
The Scottish Government has announced a £35m increase to its Affordable Housing Supply Programme budget, bringing the total to £568m for the period 2018-19.
The increase will also apply in the coming years, rising to £591m in 2019-20 and £630m in 2020-21, bringing the total over the three-year period to £1.79bn.
Scotland’s Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart, said:
‘Statistics show we have delivered almost 72,500 affordable homes since 2007, and we are on track to deliver at least 50,000 over this Parliament, backed by over £3 billion. That is the single biggest investment in, and delivery of, affordable housing since devolution and I am determined to see it benefit all parts of Scotland.’
Scottish Government, £568m for affordable housing
Scottish Government to maintain protection of rural Scotland despite Brexit
Scotland’s First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced that the Scottish Government will keep supporting and investing in the nation’s rural economy ‘despite Brexit’.
The Minister’s announcement was made at the 20th National Economic Forum in Dumfries, the theme of the event being ‘driving forward the rural economy’.
According to the Scottish Government, their support for the rural economy include: the establishment of the Scottish Rural Parliament; the commitment to publish proposals aimed at ensuring a smooth transition regarding farming support following Brexit; and the implementation of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband scheme.
The First Minister said:
‘By investing in innovation and infrastructure and providing the right support for business we can help rural Scotland to build on its strengths, overcome challenges such as Brexit and seize new opportunities.’
Scottish Government, Driving forward the rural economy
|
|
The Lichfields perspective |
|
| Nicola Woodward, Senior Director and Head of Edinburgh office | ||
Disclaimer: This publication has been written in general terms and cannot be relied on to cover specific situations. We recommend that you obtain professional advice before acting or refraining from acting on any of the contents of this publication. Lichfields accepts no duty of care or liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication. Lichfields is the trading name of Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited. Registered in England, no.2778116