Economic growth at centre of planning revamp
24 Jun 2014 01:17 PM
National projects identified and scenic areas
protected.
Planning Minister Derek Mackay has yesterday launched
the Scottish Government’s vision for planning in
Scotland.
The
National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) will
shape long term economic development and local planning policy in areas such as
transport, town centres, energy and infrastructure, and balance economic growth
with protection of our environment.
NPF3 confirms the Government’s support for 14
large-scale national developments, including major regeneration schemes at
Dundee Waterfront and Ravenscraig, carbon capture and storage schemes in
Peterhead and Grangemouth, and support for improvements at our
airports.
NPF3 and SPP also place a ban on windfarm development in
the 19 per cent of Scotland identified as National Parks and National Scenic
Areas. Significant protection is provided to sensitive areas of land identified
within Scottish Natural Heritage’s Wild Land Areas Map 2014, also
published yesterday.
In total, approximately 30 per cent of Scotland’s landscape will benefit
from stronger protection against inappropriate development.
In
addition to the new rules protecting Scotland’s most scenic areas,
tighter controls on onshore oil and gas developments have been
introduced.
Five new measures are also being introduced in relation
to hydraulic fracturing, including bringing in a requirement for buffer zones
to ensure development only proceeds if communities and the environment can be
protected. Operators will also have to consult with communities on their
proposals.
Launching the publication of NPF3 in Glasgow yesterday,
Derek Mackay said:
“Today is a watershed for planning in Scotland
– this revised planning policy will deliver improvements that will
benefit the nation for decades to come.
“Our ambition is to create great places that
support economic growth across the country, and together, NPF3 and the SPP set
out a shared vision for Scotland as a place which benefits from a positive
planning system that protects our unique environment.
“NPF3 confirms our support for 14 national
developments that will drive economic growth, champion our most successful
places, and support changes in areas where, in the past, there has been a
legacy of decline
“This strategic focus will support the
regeneration and reindustrialisation of Scotland, as well as improving
transport and connectivity links, and ensuring sustainable development through
support for green networks and low carbon energy
supply.”
Commenting on new measures to strengthen protection for
scenic areas and wild land in relation to onshore wind farms and new measures
to strengthen planning policy in relation to unconventional oil and gas
development, Mr Mackay added:
“The Scottish Government remains strongly
committed to releasing Scotland’s onshore wind energy potential, however
we have always made clear that we want the right developments in the right
places.
“We have taken steps to ensure that no wind farm
developments can go ahead in our cherished National Parks and National Scenic
Areas, and we have strengthened the protection of wild land, with new maps and
inclusion directly in the SPP and NPF3.
“This new policy also gives serious consideration
to concerns over unconventional oil and gas with five main changes to
strengthen planning policy.
“These include new rules on hydraulic fracturing
which will compel operators to consult with the public.
“In addition, buffer zones will be established to
protect communities and these will be assessed by planning authorities and
statutory consultees.
“Any application for coalbed methane or shale gas
projects must comply with the appropriate regulatory regimes, including
SEPA’s guidance on the regulation of shale gas and coalbed
methane.
“I am grateful to the Scottish Parliament and to
the many people, communities and organisations who have contributed to the
development of our policies, which help to ensure that planning continues to
create great places for the people of Scotland for years to
come.”
The
National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy can be viewed
here
NPF
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/National-Pla
nning-Framework
SPP
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/Policy
strong>
The
14 national developments contained within the new national planning framework
are:
1.
Ravenscraig
2.
Dundee Waterfront
3.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Network and Thermal
Generation
4.
High Voltage Energy Transmission Network
5.
Pumped Hydroelectric Storage
6.
Central Scotland Green Network
7.
Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership
8.
National Long Distance Cycling and Walking Network
9.
High Speed Rail
10.
Strategic Airport Enhancements
11.
Grangemouth Investment Zone
12.
Freight Handling Capacity on the Forth
13.
Aberdeen Harbour
14.
National Digital Fibre Network
The
five main changes on onshore unconventional oil and gas extraction
are:
• Confirmation that the concept of buffer zones
should be applied to all proposals for the first time
• Putting in place an additional requirement for
risk assessments to be prepared, using a source-pathway-receptor model, to
ensure a transparent and evidence-based approach to assessing whether proposed
buffer zones are acceptable
• Making explicit that buffer zones will be
assessed by the planning authority and statutory consultees, with a strong
expectation that planning permission should be refused if they are
unacceptable
• Ensuring that operators are upfront about their
plans and that communities are consulted on all unconventional gas
developments, including close involvement in the risk assessment
process
• Requiring a fresh planning application (and
public consultation) if permission was not sought for hydraulic fracturing but
developers subsequently intend to undertake this process