Scotland planning news, November 2021

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Scotland planning news, November 2021

25 Nov 2021
       

Contents
 
 
 
 
 
 
01
  
National Planning Framework 4 published
 
 
02
  
Consultation on doubling onshore wind capacity
 
 
03
  
Heat in Buildings Strategy published
 
 
04
  
£50 million for housing-related infrastructure
 
 
05
  
Licensing short-term lets
  
 
     
 

Headline news

  
     
 

National Planning Framework 4 published

The Scottish Government has published a draft of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) for consultation. NPF4 is split into four parts. The first part covers spatial strategy for Scotland in the future. This includes priorities, spatial principles and action areas. This should be used to guide the preparation of regional spatial strategies, local development plans and local place plans. The second part looks at 18 proposed national developments that supports the spatial strategy. The third part sets out policies for the development and use of land which are to be applied in the preparation of local development plans; local place plans; masterplans and briefs; and for determining the range of planning consents. The fourth part provides an outline of how the strategy will be delivered.

The publication of the draft means planning applications in Scotland will require evidence that they are contributing to the nations target of achieving net zero emissions by 2045 in order to obtain planning permission. NPF4 also outlines that applications that include town centre homes and regeneration of derelict land will have a greater chance of being successful. The 20 minute neighbourhood concept is also promoted in NPF4 as well as supporting local liveability and reducing the need for unsustainable travel. It sets out that carbon neutral coastal and island communities should be created. “Island and coastal communities will need a bespoke and flexible approach to the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods, for example, by identifying service hubs in key locations with good public transport links”.

The Government is also planning to address climate change through nature based solutions and improving biodiversity loss. NPF4 states “A new Scottish biodiversity strategy will set 2030 targets and will respond to a new global framework. Planning will play a critical role in supporting its delivery”. The framework has proposed 18 national developments which are split into ‘liveable places’, ‘productive places’ and ‘distinctive places’. These include:

  • Masterplanned regeneration and investment along the Clyde and waterfronts in Dundee, Edinburgh and Stranraer.
  • Supporting the transition of industrial sites to net zero while helping to sustain rural and island communities in transitioning to a net-zero society.
  • Industrial green transition zones
  • Rapid transit networks for cities to offer an alternative to car travel

The consultation for NPF4 closes on the 31 March 2022. 

Scottish Government, Scotland 2045 - fourth National Planning Framework - draft: consultation

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Quote of the month

  
     
     
     
 

This plan for Scotland in 2045 aims to transform places so more of us live in well-designed and energy-efficient homes, located within walking distance of local services and green space, and puts planning at the heart of delivering green, inclusive and long term sustainable development.

Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth, in the Ministerial Foreword to Scotland 2045 - fourth National Planning Framework - draft: consultation		  
     
     

 

Consultation on doubling onshore wind capacity

The Scottish Government has published a consultation regarding its plans to double the capacity of onshore wind by 2030. The proposals are set out in a draft Onshore Wind Policy Statement. One of the key proposals is to increase the current onshore capacity from 8.4 gigawatts (GW) to an extra 8 to 12 GW by 2030. Technological advancements in turbines which are larger and more efficient will allow capacity to expand. The UK Onshore Wind Prospectus has suggested that the investment in improving onshore wind capacity could create 17,000 jobs and achieve £27.8 billion in gross value added once an extra 12GW of wind capacity is utilised in 2030. The consultation concludes on the 21 January 2022.

Scottish Government, Onshore Policy Statement, Consultation

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Heat in Buildings Strategy published

The Scottish Government has published a ‘Heat in Buildings Strategy’ which outlines how greenhouse gas emissions are going to be cut from Scottish homes and buildings. The Strategy aims to cut these emissions by more than two thirds by 2030. Such a decrease in emissions will require over a million homes and 50,000 non-domestic buildings to achieve zero heat emissions by 2030. The Scottish Government is aiming to achieve net zero by 2045. The Strategy outlines how the Scottish Government is going to invest £1.8 billion over the next parliamentary term in heat and energy efficiency measures. One of the Strategy’s key pillars is the efforts to improve energy efficiency of buildings and to increase the rate of heat pump installations. The Government has stated that a ‘large majority’ of buildings should achieve an Energy Performance Certificate Level C by 2030. If this target is to be met then the installation rate of heat pumps will need to hit over 200,000 new systems per year by the end of the decade.

The Strategy also outlines the need for heat networks to be powered by low and zero emission sources such as heat pumps and recovered heat from waste. A Green heat Finance Task Force has also been established. It is hoped this will help identify opportunities to attract investment from the private sector and establish alternative ways to help people and businesses afford the initial cost of making their properties more energy efficient. Scotland's Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said “This is a huge transition, affecting communities, businesses and households all across Scotland and we must work collaboratively – across public and private sectors, across parliament, and across governments - to deliver it”.
 

Scottish Government, Heat in Buildings Strategy - achieving net zero emissions in Scotland's buildings

Scottish Government, Press Release, Making our homes cleaner and greener

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£50 million for housing-related infrastructure

The Scottish Government has announced it will provide £50m in grants to councils and social landlords so they can provide new housing. This will be allocated from the Housing Infrastructure Fund over the next five years. This funding is the second round of the fund, the first round has already provided £48 million since 2016 and has helped to deliver up to 12,000 homes. Fife council has already been awarded a grant of £5 million which will support 8000 new homes across Dunfermline as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City region city deal. Housing Secretary Shona Robison said “This funding allows local authorities and registered social landlords to build crucial infrastructure which will unlock new building development sites, helping speed up the delivery of housing”.

Scottish Government, Up to £50 million to unlock new housing
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Licensing Short-term lets legislation

Legislation has been laid before the Scottish Parliament which will require all local authorities to establish a short-term lets licensing scheme by October 2022. The Licensing Order and Control Area Amendment Regulations were laid at the Scottish Parliament on 22 November 2021. Existing hosts will have until 1 April 2023 to apply for a licence for each property that they operate as a short-term let. All short- term lets in Scotland will require a licence by 1 July 2024. Where the property lies within a Short Term Let Control Area, planning permission will be required as a prerequisite to being granted a license. The Government has cited concerns from residents about the impacts of short-term lets on their communities such as the supply of housing and antisocial behaviour as a reason for the legislation. The introduction of this legislation follows the City of Edinburgh introducing short term let control areas in August as discussed in this blog by Arabella Stewart-Leslie.

Scottish Government, Licensing short-term lets

The Town and Country Planning (Short-term Let Control Areas) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2022

     

 

The Lichfields perspective

  
     
     
     
 
After a long wait, the draft NPF4 has been published and is potentially as transformative as was promised. A common thread on responding to climate change and the transition to net zero runs throughout with marked policy shifts in planning for housing, energy requirements and town centres. These key topics are up for debate as the NPF continues its journey through consultation, parliamentary scrutiny and eventually approval to form the top tier of development plans across Scotland. The coming months represent a crucial time for the property industry, communities and other stakeholders to engage in the development of the NPF and planning in Scotland over the coming decade.
Gordon Thomson, Planning Director		  
     
     

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

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