Planning is simplified

Friday, February 05, 2010

Planning is expected to get easier with the launch of a new document simplifying the process.

The document, combining 17 separate policies into one, has been drawn up to make planning easier for communities and developers to understand and interpret.

The policies include topics such as housing, wind farms, flooding and the natural and built environment.

The Scottish government has also published guidance on the criteria and processes when developers are required to make a contribution to the provision of local infrastructure, where a development would create additional infrastructure demands.

Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "By consolidating planning policies into one, single document, we are providing a shorter, clearer and more focused statement of national planning policy. And our new circular spells out the importance of speeding up the planning agreements process, enabling swifter issuing of planning permission."

Scottish Property Federation chairman Phil Miller said: "It is vital in the current fiscal environment that both the private sector and local authorities support the Scottish Government's clear intention that planning agreements should be realistic and guided by development economics and viability."