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PLANNING ADVICE NOTE: PAN 73: RURAL DIVERSIFICATION

Policy Framework

3. The National Planning Framework stresses that the future of rural Scotland lies in economic diversification allied to a strong commitment to environmental stewardship. SPP 15: Planning for Rural Development acknowledges the changing economic structure of Scotland's rural areas and encourages planning authorities to support a wide range of economic activity. It recognises that the planning system can support and encourage diversification in ways that benefit the economy, communities and the natural and cultural environment; and at the same time ensure good development on the ground. SPP2: Economic Development, SPP3: Planning for Housing, SPP17: Transport Planning and NPPG 14: Natural Heritage are also of particular relevance to rural diversification.

4. The Scottish Ministers are committed to maintaining strong, prosperous and growing communities in rural Scotland. Rural Scotland: A New Approach identifies four priority areas for action:

• supporting rural economic development;
• providing opportunity;
• improving access to high quality services; and
• sustaining and making the most of our natural and cultural heritage.

5.'A Smart, Successful Scotland' and 'A Smart, Successful Scotland: The Highlands and Islands Dimension' identify the Enterprise Networks' key role in delivering rural economic development. Planning can facilitate integrated rural development and contribute to these strategies by encouraging rural businesses and promoting partnership. 'A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture' outlines a strategy for Scottish agriculture where farming and crofting are an integral part of rural development. The Scottish forestry strategy, 'Forests for Scotland', highlights the economic potential of a diverse forestry resource and seeks to ensure that communities benefit from woods and forests. Agriculture and forestry are closely linked with other rural businesses and help to maintain the prosperity of our rural communities whilst at the same time helping to protect and enhance the environment. The Scottish Executive is committed to helping farming businesses to adapt and diversify.

6. All of these reports recognise the diversity of rural Scotland and the differing needs of rural communities across the country. A sensitive and flexible approach is required to respond to each community's particular circumstances. The planning system has an important part to play in realising the vision of a diverse rural Scotland.

Johnson's Seafarms Grading Systems, Vidlin, Shetland

SPP15

"Rural Scotland needs to become more confident and forward looking both accepting change and benefiting from it ... the countryside should be able to absorb more people content to live and able to work there."

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