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PLANNING Bulletin Issue No 21

SCOTTISH PLANNING POLICY

As part of the Review of Strategic Planning, it was agreed that NPPGs should be renamed Scottish Planning Policies (SPPs). This provided the opportunity to update NPPG1: The Planning System (published November 2000) and to relaunch it as SPP1. It was not necessary to undertake a substantial review. The aim was to bring it up to date, incorporating recent policy developments, such as Designing Places.

The main changes are the sections on Social Justice, Design, Community Planning, Best Value and Human Rights. Clarification on material considerations is also provided. The Task Group created to inform the preparation of NPPG1 in 2000 was reconvened to consider the proposed changes.

SPP1 is available on the planning home page in the new format and showing track changes from NPPG1.

SPP2: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Revised policy guidance on economic development was published on 15 November to coincide with the Scottish RTPI conference. It replaces NPPG2: Business and Industry, published in 1993.

The SPP indicates how planning can support economic development whilst taking account of the Executive's social and environmental agendas. It emphasises that planning authorities should ensure that there is a range of choice of economic development sites throughout Scotland, and support the delivery of these sites in sustainable locations. At the same time they should encourage high quality developments and safeguard and enhance the environment, and develop a positive culture of engagement with business interests.

SPP3: PLANNING FOR HOUSING AND PAN 38: LAND FOR HOUSING - PROGRESS ON THE REVIEW

Draft revised NPPG 3 and PAN 38 were published in April of this year for a 3 month consultation period. The responses have been analysed, indicating that the drafts have been generally well received, with positive feedback on the greater emphasis on design. Many of the detailed comments focus on the proposed changes to the timescales for delivering housing land. The role of the planning system in helping to deliver affordable housing also features as a particular point of concern in the consultation responses. With the help of the advisory group, we are now working towards final versions of both documents, which will be published in the new year.

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