Rural development
Scotland's countryside is an exceptional asset, in terms of its value for people's quality of life, its economic potential and its natural heritage. The planning system has a vital role in supporting rural communities and enabling sustainable economic growth in rural areas.
Policy summary
Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 15 Planning for Rural Development sets out an aspirational planning vision for rural Scotland:
- A positive approach to providing land, and a welcoming stance to rural development, is required.
- A wide range of economic development in rural areas should be supported, and diversification of the rural economy embraced.
- In most rural areas, innovative and flexible approaches will be required to provide affordable houses in suitable numbers.
- Most new development in accessible rural areas will be in or adjacent to existing settlements.
- There will be scope for flexible planning policies in more remote and less populated rural areas.
- New rural development should be planned, sited in sustainable locations which respect natural heritage and the character of the countryside.
SPP Update
As part of the commitment to proportionate and practical planning polices, the Scottish Government is rationalising the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPG) series into a single, shorter statement of national planning policy. The initial sections of the consolidated SPP were published in October 2008 as Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) covering the core principles, aspirations and expectations of the planning system. The remaining sections of the consolidated SPP, covering community engagement, sustainable development, outcomes and the subject policies, were published for consultation in April 2009. The consultation closed in June 2009. A further consultation on changes to the sustainable development, climate change, flooding and coastal planning sections and to policy on onshore oil and gas operations and high amenity business locations ran from September 30, 2009 until November 12, 2009. The final consolidated SPP will at published by the end of 2009. More information on the consolidation is available on the SPP home page.