This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6152874.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MSPs complete new planning bill MSPs complete new planning bill
(about 22 hours later)
MSPs are set to complete the most comprehensive reform of Scotland's planning system since it was introduced almost 60 years ago. MSPs have approved the most comprehensive reform of Scotland's planning system since it was introduced almost 60 years ago.
The Planning (Scotland) Bill aims to make it more efficient and inclusive. The Planning (Scotland) Bill was passed by 104 votes to 13, with one abstention.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said the bill "heralds a new era where communities will be involved from the start in shaping their futures".
Calls for a third party right of appeal in the bill were defeated.
The bill aims to make the system more efficient and inclusive.
Involve communities
The Scottish Executive claims it will involve communities at the earliest stage of planning and make sure councils keep their plans up to date.The Scottish Executive claims it will involve communities at the earliest stage of planning and make sure councils keep their plans up to date.
The Greens and the SNP are calling for limited third party rights of appeal against planning decisions. Under the current planning set-up objectors do not have a right to appeal where an application has been approved by existing planning authorities, usually the local council.
Public scrutiny However, applicants can appeal to ministers if plans are rejected.
A number of MSPs wanted to see an amendment introduced to the new planning bill which would have introduced such a measure.
However, all the amendments backing the principle were voted down during the two days of scrutiny at Holyrood.
These reforms will encourage engagement and openness; not confrontation or imposition Malcolm ChisholmCommunities Minister
Mr Chisholm said Scotland now had the basis of a modern planning system far better equipped to serve the needs of its people.
He said: "It will bring in a much more efficient planning system to support the economy and help it grow in a sustainable way.
"These reforms will encourage engagement and openness; not confrontation or imposition.
"We still have a long way to go to bring about the much broader cultural change in planning we are all seeking. This landmark legislation provides the bedrock on which we can - and will - build that transformation."
Development plans
The bill, which was introduced to parliament last December, will create a hierarchy in the planning system, with applications dealt with differently depending on whether they are developments of national, major, local or minor significance.The bill, which was introduced to parliament last December, will create a hierarchy in the planning system, with applications dealt with differently depending on whether they are developments of national, major, local or minor significance.
It will also introduce a statutory duty for development plans to be updated every five years.It will also introduce a statutory duty for development plans to be updated every five years.
The new bill would require the creation of a National Planning Framework (NPF), which will set out a strategy for Scotland's spatial developments and could also designate "national developments".The new bill would require the creation of a National Planning Framework (NPF), which will set out a strategy for Scotland's spatial developments and could also designate "national developments".
On Wednesday an SNP bid to inject a greater degree of public scrutiny in deciding national planning priorities was defeated. Two separate bids to have the bill include powers to resolve high hedge disputes were rejected.
SNP MSP Bruce Crawford the bill could lead to issues of local interest being subject to discussion but those of national importance would not.
He said: "It is illogical that individuals in communities may be able to attend a public hearing to discuss a local retail application but would not be able to object in principle to a special waste facility on their doorstep."
Communities minister Malcolm Chisholm insisted the public and stakeholders would be fully involved in the process before it reaches parliament.
He said: "That policy will have been developed painstakingly and with the full participation of the public, interested organisations and crucially parliamentarians over a prolonged period.