Planning

Planning

Scottish Ministers expect the planning system to link principles and actions to enable sustainable development (SPP1, 2002). This is being further strengthened in the current reform of planning in which there will be an explicit requirement for the revitalised development plans at the heart of the modernised planning system to be prepared with due regard to the principles of sustainable development (please refer to the links on Land-Use Planning to access information about the new Planning Act and the related Statutory Guidance on Planning and Sustainable Development).

Enabling sustainable development requires co-ordinated action, combining economic competitiveness, and social and environmental justice, with environmental quality. Planning decisions should favour the most sustainable option, promoting development that safeguards and enhances the long-term needs of the economy, society and the environment.

Land use planning is a major instrument in delivering sustainable development. The extent, location and nature of development all have a major influence on resource use, transport requirements, and on enabling economic development. Planning has a major role in tackling social, economic and environmental disadvantage. It is also one of the major tools, together with environmental legislation, in protecting and enhancing the environment. These aims will be strengthened the more it is made easier for people to get involved in planning, and help to shape the future of their communities.

The key, in a plan led system, is to embed sustainable development as the focus of the Development Plan. This should be complemented by setting criteria based on the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development for development control and to guide the inevitable departures from the plan which arise. Potential criteria are suggested in the Paths to Improvement below. There are special opportunities for planning to encourage innovative low impact developments, and to demonstrate best practice. In terms of Best Value, plans should also clarify policy on developer contributions: this should encourage proposals to use existing infrastructure capacity, or otherwise contribute to public costs.

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Paths to Improvement include: Policy Being Implemented Outcomes
Is sustainable development embedded as the focus of the Development Plan, with sustainable development criteria for master plans, development control and departures from the plan?


Is guidance provided on sustainable development in the development plan or as supplementary planning guidance?


Is there local guidance for developers and planning applicants to encourage or require sustainable design in master plans and planning applications?


Is there an explicit and equitable policy for developer contributions, so that developers bear a reasonable share of the costs which developments impose?


Is priority given to renewal in urban and rural areas, and supporting economic developments which are accessible to and will benefit disadvantaged communities?


Are there sequential tests to:
  • Support regeneration through a preference for the re-use of previously developed land and utilising existing infrastructure and services;
  • Give preference to major retail development being in or adjacent to town centres; and
  • Guide development with the greatest transport generation to the most accessible sites?


Do planning policies achieve accessibility, by locating major development near to, or accessible to, fixed public transport and to related land uses?


Do planning policies and their implementation locate housing development near or accessible to school capacity, community facilities, public transport provision and shops?


Is support being provided, including for regeneration where appropriate, to enable town and city centres to meet the needs of all sections of society?


Is protection, enhancement and management for environmental resources (both the natural and built environment, including biodiversity) being provided, including support for green networks/corridors and greenspaces?


Is support provided to enable developments to take place which feature innovative low impact, or low carbon and carbon neutral development; renewable energy, micro-generation, energy efficiency, reducing waste; and support public transport?


Do development plans adequate reflect 'green' policies, such as the National Waste Plan (and supporting Area Waste Plans)?


See also contributing to travel reduction (under transport)


See also public participation (under environment)


See also climate change (under climate change & energy)