BRIEFING PAPER Debate on 12 June 2013 on Progress toward National Planning Framework 3 and the Scottish Planning Policy June 2013
INTRODUCTION This paper provides briefing on the debate in Parliament on 12 June 2013 on Progress toward National Planning Framework 3 and the Scottish Planning Policy. These are very important aspects of the planning system in Scotland and so we urge all MSPs to engage in the debate. CONTEXT National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) The third National Planning Framework (NPF3) Main Issues Report and draft framework was published on 30 April. This sets out the Government s development priorities over the next 20 to 30 years. You can read it at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2013/04/2377 The document is out for a 12 public consultation period, which ends on 23 July. In summer 2013 Scottish Government will consider responses. It will publish the Proposed Framework in September for 60 day Parliamentary scrutiny and January 2014 will see Scottish Government consider the Parliament s report on the Proposed Framework. It aims to publish NPF3 in June 2014. The Main Issues Report and Draft Framework for NPF3 is structured around 4 key issues (which are different from the outcomes proposed in the draft SPP). These are: A Low Carbon Place covering energy demand; heat; onshore wind; offshore renewables; community ownership; electricity generation requirements, transmission, distribution and storage; and oil and gas A Natural Place to Invest including tourism, recreation, long distance routes and sustainable resource management A Successful, Sustainable Place including sustainable economic growth, settlement strategy, green networks, health and housing A Connected Place covering decarbonising transport and reducing the need to travel, cities, economic investment, rural areas, international connections, ports, airports and high speed rail The document also sets out 6 Areas of Coordinated Action and 12 National Developments. Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) The Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) is a statement of Scottish Government policy on nationally important land use. Scottish Government has said that it is reviewing the SPP bring the policy up-to-date, focus it on sustainable economic growth and emphasise placemaking. Responses are requested by Tuesday July 23, 2013. The SPP is being reviewed at the same time as the National Planning Framework. In reviewing these two key national planning policy document at the same time Scottish Government hopes to make connections between where we want to see development (NPF) and how we want to see it delivered (SPP). The consultation draft of the Scottish Planning Policy sets out Core Values of the Planning Service which are that it should: focus outcomes, maximising benefits and balancing competing interests
play a key role in facilitating economic recovery and sustainable economic growth in the loner term, particularly the creation of new jobs be plan-led, with plans being up to date and relevant make decisions in a timely, transparent and fair way to provide a supportive business environment and engender public confidence in the system be inclusive, engaging all interests as early and as effectively as possible be proportionate, only imposing obligations where necessary uphold the law and enforce the terms of decisions made The document also sets out 3 outcomes for planning: Planning improves quality of life by helping to create well-designed sustainable places for Scotland s people Planning protects and enhances Scotland s built and natural environment as valued national assets Planning supports sustainable economic growth and the transition to a low carbon economy It introduces 5 new Principal Policies covering: Sustainable economic growth Sustainable development Engagement Climate change Placemaking INITIAL RESPONSE RTPI Scotland is still in the process of drafting its response to both documents. However our initial reactions are that: we welcome the publication of these documents. They show the Government's continued commitment to using the planning system to achieve its ambitions for Scotland. we commend Scottish Government for undertaking a thorough and wideranging engagement exercise with stakeholders prior to the publication of the documents. we are pleased that Scottish Government has used the NPF3 Main Issues Report to establish a clearer spatial strategy for renewables developments. the documents should influence Government policy on what goes where and decisions on investment from Government, its agencies, utility companies and developers. we are pleased to see the emphasis given to creating great places in the documents. Embedding key principles of placemaking into national policy documents should go some way to ensure that we help to deliver quality places for people. we are pleased that the documents recognise the important role that planning can play in achieving sustainable economic growth and helping to support the transition to a low carbon economy. we welcome the proposed town centres first approach contained in the draft SPP which advocates for the first time at national level these being the primary location for cultural and community facilities, retail leisure, entertainment, recreation, homes and business.
POTENTIAL OF NPF3 AND SPP RTPI Scotland believes that NPF3 and SPP should be truly ambitious documents that establish key objectives for Scotland in the short, medium and long term and how these will be delivered spatially. They provide a real opportunity to achieve ambitions such as sustainable development, sustainable economic growth and to tackling climate change. Those countries that have successfully planned for sustainable economic growth - such as the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have combined an approach which sets priorities and drives action from a national level down along with bottom up community engagement and empowerment. They have explicitly embraced national and strategic planning as a mechanism to achieve this. They have used the planning system as a means of demonstrating national leadership through setting out their ambitions for the country and for making often difficult decisions that can bring short, medium and long term benefit. PRINCIPLES FOR NPF3 AND SPP RTPI Scotland has already set out 10 principles that we believe should be applied to NPF3 and SPP: They should be ambitious. RTPI Scotland believes that NPF3, SPP and the planning system in general can do more for Scotland. NPF3 should therefore be a truly ambitious national plan supported by ambitious policy outlined in the SPP. NPF3 in particular should be seen as a document which can be used to attract investment to the right places in Scotland whilst it should be clear about those areas that should be protected. This will require both NPF3 and SPP facing up to often difficult decisions where there will be winners and losers. It will benefit no-one if these are ducked as developers, investors and communities need clarity, certainty and predictability. The documents need to provide that. They should prioritise. The current economic climate means that now, more than ever, there is a need to prioritise investment and the levers that can encourage investment, such as infrastructure. Given this we feel that there is a need to ensure that NPF3 and SPP incorporate and articulate realistic options for growth, no growth, and negative growth across Scotland. It should be borne in mind that this will not always require new development. It is often about making the best use of the assets that are already in place. They should be integrative. We feel that a key role for NPF3 and SPP is to bring together and reconcile the objectives of various other strategies and objectives published by Scottish Government and its Agencies. These include, for example the forthcoming Marine Plan; Land Use Strategy; Transport Plan; Low Carbon Scotland; Energy transmission and generation; Broadband; Enterprise Areas; Tourism Development Strategy; Regeneration Strategy; National Parks Strategy; Health Inequalities; Housing; Education; Waste Strategy and forthcoming Town Centres Review. They should be influential. NPF3 and SPP should lead, rather than follow. NPF3 should be seen as the key spatial plan for Scottish Government who should ensure that its various strategies and subsequent resource allocation are taken forward within the context of the document. SPP must also influence the priorities and resource allocation of Government s Key Agencies. NPF3 should be the main document which illustrates the geography of all of Scottish Government s policy.
The documents should also influence the plans and decisions of utility companies and private sector developers and investors who often hold the resources needed to deliver developments. This means that they need to promote a collaborative approach between these organisations and sectors where risk and rewards are shared. They should be clear and holistic. RTPI Scotland feels that there is a need to ensure that NPF3 and SPP are clear on their vision, aim, objectives and priorities. This will require precise wording and expression in the document and clarity on areas the appropriateness of development or protection. They should focus on delivery. RTPI Scotland feels that it is worth exploring the idea of NPF3 working towards a number of specific national targets, framed within a number of national outcomes, which are set out in a revised SPP. These targets could be derived from existing national targets and could cover, for example, housing numbers, energy, renewables developments, waste and derelict land. Key to this is ensuring that NPF3 promotes a clear relationship between infrastructure provision and development opportunities. Infrastructure is a key means ensuring that we can make the most of development opportunities in a sustainable way. They should focus on outcomes. RTPI Scotland thinks that it would be useful if NPF3 and SPP were focused around delivering a number of key outcomes. This would help to demonstrate how the planning system contributes to key priorities and provide a more holistic basis upon which to plan Scotland. They need to be directly linked to one another. RTPI Scotland is of the view that it is essential that there is a clear relationship between the NPF3 and the new SPP. Given this, it is felt that both documents should have the same outcomes and targets with the SPP dealing with the how and NPF3 the where. There needs to be clarity on where they link with other policy, guidance, advice and good practice. It is considered that links have to be made with, and clarity given on the status of, key documents including Designing Streets; Designing Places; Scottish Historic Environment Policy; the forthcoming Architecture and Placemaking Policy; Marine Plan; Land Use Strategy; letters issued by the Chief Planner; Circulars; good practice; and guidance published by other parts of Government and by Key Agencies They need to be based on sound evidence and needs to be monitored to ensure it continues to be fit for purpose. RTPI Scotland is of the view that a sound and transparent evidence base must be in place to demonstrate why policy directions and priorities have been taken in the NPF3 and SPP. There is an opportunity to better define the indicators that are required to monitor NPF3 and SPP, and link these with emerging indicators at the strategic development planning level. If you wish discuss this please contact Craig McLaren, National Director, RTPI Scotland on 0131 229 9628/ 07850 926881 or at craig.mclaren@rtpi.org.uk
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is the champion of planning and the planning profession. We work to promote the art and science of planning for the public benefit. We have around 2,200 members in Scotland and a worldwide membership of nearly 23,000. We: support policy development to improve approaches to planning for the benefit of the public maintain the professional standards of our members support our members, and therefore the majority of the planning workforce, to have the skills and knowledge they need to deliver planning effectively maintain high standards of planning education develop and promote new thinking, ideas and approaches which can improve planning support our membership to work with others who have a role in developing places in Scotland improve the understanding of planning and the planning system to policy makers, politicians, practitioners and the general public. Royal Town Planning Institute Scotland, 18 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 8HQ Tel: 0131 229 9628 E-mail: scotland@rtpi.org.uk Web: www.rtpi.org.uk/scotland Twitter: @RTPIScotland Registered Charity Number: 262865 Scottish Registered Charity Number: SC 037841 Head office: Royal Town Planning Institute, 41 Botolph Lane, London EC3R 8DL