Scottish Property Federation welcomes planning revamp
The Scottish Property Federation has welcomed the draft version of two key planning documents for Scotland – the third National Planning Framework (NPF3) and the draft Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). These propose changes to Scotland’s planning system that put greater importance on supporting sustainable economic growth, it notes.
The two draft documents “influence how planning authorities deal with all planning applications and establish a vision of the core values and purpose of the planning system”, the Scottish Property Federation says. It adds that Scottish ministers have also reinforced the importance of SPP as a material consideration – a move the federation has supported.
David Melhuish, director of the Scottish Property Federation, says these proposals “are a step in the right direction” towards achieving a growth-focused planning system that will spur job creation. “The commitment and vision of the SPP and NPF3 must also be supported by taxation and regulatory choices, for example on property taxation and building standards that are competitive and proportionate,” he adds. “Otherwise we may deter investment and frustrate the ability of the private sector to drive economic recovery in Scotland”.
