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This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Future planning for transport

16/01/2004

National guidance to ensure that transport is considered at the early stages when planning new developments or redevelopments was launched today for public consultation by the Executive.

The new planning policy proposes that:
• New developments should be located close to good transport links and parking spaces should be constrained to reduce dependence on car travel
• New trunk road or motorway junctions will only be considered under exceptional circumstances and will require significant developer funding
• Roadside service facilities should be developed for the comfort and safety of drivers with opportunities to stop and rest

A new proposal is to give Highland and Perth & Kinross Councils responsibility for decisions on developing roadside facilities on the A9. Decisions will be based on locally determined economic and environmental policies, subject to trunk road engineers' views on safety.

The Deputy Communities Minister Mary Mulligan said: "Planning should assist in reducing the need to travel and create the right conditions for greater use of sustainable transport modes. This Executive is now focussing on delivery of transport projects. The integration of land use and transport planning can play a positive role in supporting and building upon our delivery agenda.

"This new policy simplifies existing guidance. These are our proposals on how planning for transport should develop. Interested parties have 12 weeks to respond with comments that we'll consider before finalising the guidance."

this new Scottish Planning Policy (SPP)17: Planning For Transport replaces NPPG9 The Provision of Roadside Facilities on Motorways and Other Trunk Roads in Scotland, NPPG17 Transport and Planning and SPP17 Transport and Planning Maximum Parking Standards Addendum to NPPG17.

A copy of the SPP is available at: www.scotland.gov.uk/planning. Consultation on these proposals will last 12 weeks.

Since the A9 was reconstructed in the late 1970s, the Councils have had to follow central government policy on provision of roadside facilities. This new proposal means the road will be treated like any other trunk road in Scotland and Highland and Perth and Kinross Councils will decide which roadside facilities are acceptable. The guidance states that design quality should be paramount for new developments along the A9 route and should complement the special character of the area.

Page updated: Saturday, July 17, 2004