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Introduction
The foundations of the reformed planning system have been laid through the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 and associated secondary legislation. Delivering Planning Reform set out the shared commitments to speeding up reform of the planning system. The joint actions will result in a planning system where policies are proportionate, practical and informed by early and wide engagement, advice is clear and consistent, processes are effective and efficient, and skills are developed and performance improved.
National planning policy for Scotland was first published in the 1970s and is currently expressed through a series of Scottish Planning Policies ( SPPs) and National Planning Policy Guidelines ( NPPGs). As part of the commitment to proportionate and practical planning policies the Scottish Government is rationalising the SPP and NPPG series into a single statement of national planning policy. The first part of the consolidated Scottish Planning Policy ( SPP) was published in October 2008 and covers the core principles, aspirations and expectations for the planning system. This consultation is on the final part of the SPP, which covers community engagement, sustainable development, the subject policies currently expressed through seventeen separate SPPs and NPPGs and the outcomes of the planning process.
The consolidation of the subject policies into the single SPP is not a review of established policy. Existing policy is being rationalised and expressed in more concise terms, providing clarity and greater certainty of intended outcomes. The new style of SPP requires a different approach to expressing and explaining national planning policy, but the changes in wording do not, in most cases, represent a change in policy. A change in policy would mean that the intended outcome of the policy is different.
The SPP, when published in its final form, will supersede the following SPPs and NPPGs.
- SPP2: Economic Development
- SPP3: Planning for Homes
- SPP4: Planning for Minerals
- SPP6: Renewable Energy
- SPP7: Planning and Flooding
- SPP8: Town Centres and Retailing
- SPP10: Planning for Waste Management
- SPP11: Open Space and Physical Activity
- NPPG13: Coastal Planning
- NPPG14: Natural Heritage
- SPP15: Planning for Rural Development
- SPP16: Opencast Coal
- SPP17: Planning for Transport
- NPPG19: Radio Telecommunications
- SPP21: Green Belts
- SPP22: Planning for Fish Farming
- SPP23: Planning & the Historic Environment
Our initial assessment is that separate national planning policy on skiing developments, which is currently set out in NPPG12, is not necessary because other policies (for example economic development, transport and landscape and natural heritage policies) cover relevant considerations. The role of Architecture and Design Scotland, which is currently set out in SPP20, is not planning policy.
The consultative draft of the final part of the consolidated SPP is structured to continue on from the published sections of the SPP (Introduction, Development Plans and Development Management). The paragraph numbering therefore starts at number 35.
When published in its final form, the consolidated SPP is intended to be considered as a whole rather than sections being considered independently. This removes the need to duplicate information about cross cutting issues such as climate change, transport, design and the natural and built heritage. The subject policy section focuses on key principles, considerations and actions required, particularly in terms of development plans and development management decision making. Information, advice, policy context and background supplied in the current SPPs and NPPGs has not been included. Restructuring within the subjects policies has aimed to eliminate duplication and resulting minor inconsistencies, and there has been an overall reduction in the amount of detail provided.
Statutory Guidance on Planning and Sustainable Development was published for consultation in March 2007. Taking into account the responses to the consultation and the commitment to scaling back the amount of policy and advice, guidance under section 3E of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 has been incorporated into the consolidated SPP.
The final part of the consolidated SPP has been the subject of an environmental assessment, which is focusing on proposed changes to national planning policy and any proposed omissions which could have significant environmental effects. Key amendments that are proposed in the consultative draft are:
- SPP6 Renewable Energy - incorporation of Annex A Spatial Framework for Wind Farms over 20 Megawatts into main policy with resulting restructuring.
- NPPG13 Coastal Planning - requirement to classify the coast into one of three types in the development plan is not included but the three types are retained as general guide to development on the coast.
- NPPG14 Natural Heritage - proposed limiting of local designations to two types (special landscape area and local nature conservation area) to limit proliferation of designations.
- SPP15 Rural Development - strengthening of policy on prime agricultural land to indicate the limited circumstances under which its development may be acceptable.
- SPP17 Planning for Transport - national maximum parking standards not included but policy on using maximum parking standards as part of demand management is retained.
Substantive and minor policy changes are summarised in the environmental report, which is being published for consultation at the same time as this document.
We have asked specific questions in the consultative draft SPP, and we are keen to hear your views on these. The questions are set out in Annex 2. We would also welcome your comments on any other aspect of the draft SPP. Responses to the consultation will be analysed and taken into account when the final consolidated SPP is drafted. A consultation report will be published which will discuss the responses received, how they were analysed and now they contributed to the final version.
Q1. Overall, is national planning policy clearer and easier to understand in the consolidated SPP compared with existing SPPs and NPPGs?
Q2. Do you support the proposed structure and format of the consolidated SPP?
Q3. Do you agree with the removal of advice and background information from the consolidated SPP?
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