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MANAGING THE GROWTH OF TOWNS AND CITIES
THE CHANGING CONTEXT
2. Scotland's population and household patterns are changing. The National Planning Framework highlights that the overall population is declining, although this conceals significant regional and local variations. There has, however, been a sustained increase in the number of households. Population fluctuations, new household formation and economic, social and lifestyle changes affect the way land is used and create pressure for the expansion of some towns and cities.
3. The shift towards a service-based economy has meant that high quality environments and accessible locations have become increasingly important. This can result in pressure for new development at the edges of settlements, while land and buildings in urban areas become and remain vacant. Regeneration of disadvantaged communities and the re-use of vacant urban land are key priorities of Scottish Ministers.
4. In the face of these dynamics, we need robust tools to manage change in our towns and cities.
SPP OBJECTIVES
5. Our vision is to ensure Scotland has vibrant towns and cities, where change is managed effectively, and the best use is made of the land. Green belt policies can help to achieve this. In some areas, however, existing green belts are not providing long term certainty and have been undermined by individual development management 1 decisions. This SPP aims to strengthen and enhance the role of green belts and encourage greater stability to increase their effectiveness. The effective operation of green belt policy has major benefits to Scotland in improving quality of life for local people and managing land carefully to guide the growth of our settlements.
6. From this, the key objectives of green belt policy are:
- To direct planned growth to the most appropriate locations and support regeneration;
- To protect and enhance the character, landscape setting and identity of towns and cities; and
- To protect and give access to open space within and around towns and cities, as part of the wider structure of green space.
As a result, there will be a strong presumption against inappropriate development in the green belt.
RELATED MECHANISMS
7. Green belts are one of a range of mechanisms that help shape our towns and cities. Others include policies on:
- Re-use of previously developed land;
- Regeneration;
- Housing;
- Sustainable transport;
- Retailing, in particular the sequential approach to development;
- Urban design, including density;
- Landscape, countryside and nature conservation; and
- Open space, green networks and access.
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