'Joined up' planning system to benefit Scottish business

New measures aimed at improving the efficiency of the planning system in Scotland have been introduced by the government.

A range of changes, including the devolving of decisions over many smaller developments to local rather than central authorities, have been included in the package.

The Scottish government expressed the hope that the increasingly ’joined up’ system would result in faster decision making on planning projects.

In turn, this would benefit developers and other businesses.

Stewart Stevenson, the Scottish government’s infrastructure minister, commented: ’These procedural changes form a significant part of our ongoing work to modernise the Scottish planning system, building on advances like ePlanning, the second National Planning Framework and the commitments in Delivering Planning Reform.

’The creation of local review bodies will enable planning appeals for small developments to move more swiftly through the planning system - rather than the matter requiring consideration by ministers.’
Other measures introduced today include a new requirement for developers to always consult local communities affected by major proposals - and a broader range of options for the relevant planning authorities to take ’effective enforcement action’ on specific issues.ADNFCR-2318-ID-19293586-ADNFCR