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5. The Scottish Parliament's Role
5.1 The process as illustrated above as proposed by the Procedures Committee provides two opportunities, at Steps 4 and 6, for Parliamentary scrutiny. The process therefore assumes, notwithstanding the nature of the application of the promoter, that Parliament will always be involved. This means that all rail, tram, guided busways and inland waterway developments that interfere with private rights will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny whether the developments are of national, regional or local importance.
5.2 We believe that the Scottish Parliament's interest should be proportionate and focus on those developments that are of national strategic importance. Such an approach would mean that other lesser developments could be authorised by an Order made by the Scottish Ministers without reference to the Scottish Parliament but still subject to the non-Parliamentary steps of Application, Objection, Initial Ministerial consideration and Detailed consideration.
5.3 The Planning (Scotland) Bill currently being considered by the Parliament enables the National Planning Framework to designate "national developments" and contains provisions for its Parliamentary consideration. That publication, which is to be updated every 4 years, would be the means of determining developments of national strategic importance. However, we believe that it must also be possible for the Scottish Ministers to designate projects, not included within a current NPF, for Parliamentary consideration, in a manner similar to the NPF process.
Q7 Are there any reasons for extending Parliamentary consideration and approval of projects beyond those contained within the NPF? Do you agree that it should also be possible for the Scottish Ministers to designate other transport related projects not in the NPF for Parliamentary consideration should they see fit?
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