The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a strategy for the long-term development of Scotland's towns, cities and countryside. The NPF is about shaping Scotland's future and is concerned with how Scotland develops over the next 20 to 25 years and how to make that possible. The NPF identifies key strategic infrastructure needs to ensure that each part of the country can develop to its full potential.
The first National Planning Framework was published in 2004. The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 puts the National Planning Framework on a statutory footing and provides a national context for development plans and planning decisions, as well as informing programmes of the Scottish Government, public agencies and local authorities. Scottish Ministers are committed to reviewing the NPF every four years.
In announcing the publication of the second National Planning Framework (NPF2), on June 25, 2009, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney said "NPF2 marks a further advance in spatial planning practice and will help to bring additional certainty for investors and planning practitioners in Scotland."
NPF2 has designated 14 national developments of strategic importance to Scotland.
To ensure effective delivery, NPF2 is supported by a proposed Action Programme setting out how and by whom the national developments and other key elements of the NPF strategy will be implemented.
NPF2 replaces the first NPF and should be taken into account in development plan and development management decisions. The NPF Team would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the preparation of Scotland's second National Planning Framework. |
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