Way Forward Agreed for Planning

16th December 2012

Agreement on further planning reforms in Scotland has been reached following discussions between Local Government Minister Derek Mackay, Cosla leaders and other key stakeholders this afternoon.

Mr Mackay announced a package of measures to speed up the updating and processing of local development plans, and to streamline the planning system as well as extending the number of developments that do not need to submit planning applications.

Under the agreement, which is subject to parliamentary approval, planning fees will increase by 20 per cent – a level which will see Scottish planning fees remain lower than those in England and Wales for most categories of development and will generate between £4 - £5 million to support the work of planning authorities. This is in addition to one off funding of £673,000 being made available to help local authorities deal with wind turbine applications.

A high level group will review planning performance, and look at proposals to link performance with wider reform of planning fees.

Ministers will also pursue a statutory mechanism to penalise authorities who under perform in the longer term.

Following feedback at consultation stage, permitted development rights for agricultural and forestry private tracks will not be amended at this time but will be kept under review

The Minister also confirmed £55,000 additional funding to Planning Aid for Scotland. This is to increase young people’s involvement in planning as well as funding to deliver pilot projects to investigate alternative ways of delivering charrettes. The Scottish Government is also providing an additional £20,000 to Heads of Planning Scotland for training support.

Planning Minister Derek Mackay said:"This Government is committed to planning reform. We are streamlining the planning system, removing the need for planning applications for some smaller developments and speeding up the processing of local development plans.

"Following discussions with stakeholders yesterday and further meetings today a commitment around improved performance has been reached, in that context new resources through planning fees will help planning authorities deliver.

"The increase is designed to allow authorities to improve performance, while keeping overall planning fees in Scotland lower than the English equivalent. I have also announced the formation of a high-level group with COSLA to look at driving the performance improvement agenda to ensure that higher planning fees result in better performance.

"We know that some planning authorities are experiencing particularly high volumes of applications for wind turbines, and the extra funding being announced today will help by supporting assessment, bringing in expertise, or more staff, to deal with the applications.

"I am now looking forward to working with local authorities across Scotland to deliver a planning service that drives the sustainable economic growth for Scotland that we all want to see."

Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Philip Hogg said:"Homes for Scotland is pleased that the Minister, in setting a new level of planning fees, has taken account of the home building industry's concerns about increased costs. He has set fees at a far lower level than envisaged in his consultation and at a level that will not negatively impact the industry's ability to promote new projects.

"The Minister has always made it clear that he expects increased fees to result in an improved planning service. We will now work with the Minister and Heads of Planning Scotland to ensure we can deliver service improvements.

"A planning service which is more efficient, predictable and proportionate will help Scotland's home building industry deliver sustainable economic development."