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MSPs complete new planning bill | MSPs complete new planning bill |
(about 22 hours later) | |
MSPs have approved the most comprehensive reform of Scotland's planning system since it was introduced almost 60 years ago. | |
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. |
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. | |
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". |
Two separate bids to have the bill include powers to resolve high hedge disputes were rejected. | |
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