Scotland planning news, May 2018
01 May 2018
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Scottish Land Commission to propose measures to bring empty buildings back into use
The Scottish Land Commission has started working on potential proposals for a new Compulsory Sale Order (CSO) power, to understand opportunities and challenges arising from this new legal tool.
CSOs would allow local authorities to require the sale of abandoned buildings or small plots of land which have been left empty for ‘an undue period of time’.
The latest statistics from 2016 show that more than 12,000 hectares of land were left derelict or empty across the whole of Scotland.
Hamish Trench, Chief Executive of the Scottish Land Commission, said:
‘If we want Scotland’s land to become more productive, efficient and equitable we must consider tools and mechanisms such as CSOs to address the problem of vacant and derelict land. It is envisaged that CSOs would be used to tackle abandoned buildings and small plots of vacant and derelict land in town centres and communities.’
Scottish Land Commission, Scottish Land Commission to develop proposals for Compulsory Sale Orders
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Quote of the month |
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| Chief Executive of the Scottish Land Commission, Hamish Trench, commenting on the proposed Compulsory Sale Orders, which would require the sale of abandoned buildings or small plots of land | ||
Guidance published on how to engage communities in decisions relating to land
The Scottish Government has published guidance that provides an overview of how to engage communities in decisions relating to land. This has been prepared under a duty in Section 44 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016, whereby Scottish Ministers have to publish guidance on community engagement processes regarding decisions relating to land.
The Ministerial Foreword to the document is by Roseanna Cunningham, Scottish Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, who states:
‘Land underpins communities’ social and cultural development, and is crucial in protecting and enhancing the environment. In a progressive and fair Scotland, communities must have a say in the important decisions about land that affect them.’
Scottish Government, Guidance on Engaging Communities in Decisions Relating to Land
Regulations introduce new fees for hydro-electric generating station schemes
On 24 May, the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications)(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018 will come into force.
The amendment regulations introduce a new category of fees in relation to applications for obtaining planning permission for hydro-electric generating schemes. The new fee will be set at £401 per 0.1ha, up to a maximum of £20,055.
Extension of Help to Buy announced
The Scottish Government has announced that it will extend the Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme beyond April 2019, due to a £100m investment (until 2021) to support a further 4,000 households buying a new home.
The scheme has already supported more than 12,000 households since 2013.
Scottish Housing Minister, Kevin Stewart, said:
‘A third of the annual £50 million budget – £18 million – will be reserved for sales from SME builders, who were particularly affected by the drop in development finance after the financial crisis.’
Scottish Government, Help to Buy extended
Scotland sees 26% increase in renewable energy generation
Recent figures published by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy show that in 2017, renewable energy generation in Scotland had increased by 26% when compared with 2016 figures.
In 2016, the proportion was just more than 14 percentage points lower at 54%.
Scottish Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse commented:
‘Renewable energy will play a hugely significant role in powering Scotland's future and through the strategy we want to ensure the correct strategic decisions are taken to support this much valued sector of Scotland’s economy as it goes from strength to strength.’
Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, energy trends: renewablesScottish Government, record year for renewables generation
£250m regeneration project agreed in Glasgow
Glasgow City Council has reached agreement with Glasgow Housing Association and Keepmoat Homes for progressing the development of the Sighthill Transformation Regeneration Area (TRA).
The £250m Sighthill TRA masterplan will comprise over 800 homes, as well as commercial development and retail units. Once completed, the scheme will deliver almost 1,000 homes and social and physical infrastructure, including a new footbridge across the M8, and a new community school campus.
Glasgow City Council, Sighthill TRA
Guidance on CPO for acquiring authorities published
The Scottish Government has published guidance detailing what actions acquiring authorities should undertake before developing a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).
The guidance note is the second of a series that the Scottish Government is publishing to inform acquiring authorities with limited, or no, experience of compulsory purchase.
Scottish Government, Compulsory Purchase in Scotland, Guidance for Acquiring Authorities
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The Lichfields perspective |
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| 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