Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 12 June 2013
12 Jun 2013 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy
That is an excellent point, with which I agree. I have been very impressed by work by, for example, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which I visited in Cumbernauld, in looking at the pathways that connect urban communities with the environmental aspect and showing how we can connect ecosystems with economics. The central Scotland green network is a great example of where that has been done on a strategic basis. I am delighted to say that it is proposed that support for that should continue with national planning framework 3. The very important point about the understanding of the environment is central to the documents, and we want to bring that alive locally as well as nationally.
On our proposed spatial strategy, we must of course recognise the role of our cities as drivers of economic growth, and we will do further work in both the cities and the towns to support economic regeneration, as I mentioned earlier.
Examples of good planning that are supported through our proposals include the projects, which have been designated as national developments for the first time, at Ravenscraig and Dundee waterfront, where we were able to launch the proposals. There are further comments on the decarbonisation of the economy, alternative fuels, decarbonising transport, support for rail and modal shifts, and further energy aspects that relate to our low-carbon ambitions.
We have also taken cognisance of how some NPF2 projects that have been developed and delivered no longer require the same consenting regime, and they therefore no longer feature in NPF3. Other changes will include the long-term ambitions at Scapa Flow and Hunterston, which other members may talk about.
I believe that our policies represent something for every part of the country. They focus on sustainable economic growth while giving greater protection to the environment. We have to strike that balance for the right reasons and to achieve the Government’s overarching objective in consultation with communities across Scotland. I commend the motion and the policy documents to Parliament.
I move,
That the Parliament welcomes the publication of Scotland’s Third National Planning Framework: Main Issues Report and Draft Framework and the Draft Scottish Planning Policy; recognises the ongoing innovative work to engage the public in the development of the proposals; supports their focus on economic recovery, balanced growth and creating a low-carbon place; further supports the aspiration to ensure that Scotland is a natural place to invest in, by making best use of natural resources and protecting national assets; recognises the importance of placemaking and the opportunities to ensure that Scotland is a successful, sustainable place by supporting economic and regeneration priorities; believes that planning can play an important role in facilitating a planned approach to transport and digital infrastructure to make Scotland a connected place, and endorses the positive steps being taken to ensure that national planning policy plays a proactive role in supporting economic recovery.
14:55
On our proposed spatial strategy, we must of course recognise the role of our cities as drivers of economic growth, and we will do further work in both the cities and the towns to support economic regeneration, as I mentioned earlier.
Examples of good planning that are supported through our proposals include the projects, which have been designated as national developments for the first time, at Ravenscraig and Dundee waterfront, where we were able to launch the proposals. There are further comments on the decarbonisation of the economy, alternative fuels, decarbonising transport, support for rail and modal shifts, and further energy aspects that relate to our low-carbon ambitions.
We have also taken cognisance of how some NPF2 projects that have been developed and delivered no longer require the same consenting regime, and they therefore no longer feature in NPF3. Other changes will include the long-term ambitions at Scapa Flow and Hunterston, which other members may talk about.
I believe that our policies represent something for every part of the country. They focus on sustainable economic growth while giving greater protection to the environment. We have to strike that balance for the right reasons and to achieve the Government’s overarching objective in consultation with communities across Scotland. I commend the motion and the policy documents to Parliament.
I move,
That the Parliament welcomes the publication of Scotland’s Third National Planning Framework: Main Issues Report and Draft Framework and the Draft Scottish Planning Policy; recognises the ongoing innovative work to engage the public in the development of the proposals; supports their focus on economic recovery, balanced growth and creating a low-carbon place; further supports the aspiration to ensure that Scotland is a natural place to invest in, by making best use of natural resources and protecting national assets; recognises the importance of placemaking and the opportunities to ensure that Scotland is a successful, sustainable place by supporting economic and regeneration priorities; believes that planning can play an important role in facilitating a planned approach to transport and digital infrastructure to make Scotland a connected place, and endorses the positive steps being taken to ensure that national planning policy plays a proactive role in supporting economic recovery.
14:55
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-06933, in the name of Derek Mackay, on progress towards national planning framework 3 and the Scottish pl...
The Minister for Local Government and Planning (Derek Mackay)
SNP
This debate is about the Scottish Government’s two key planning policy documents: the national planning framework, which is our long-term spatial plan for th...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
It is very clear what the minister wants: he wants growth to be the central purpose of the planning system. However, does the legislation that was passed in ...
Derek Mackay
SNP
I am sure that Mr Harvie will be relieved to hear that we have greater protection of the environment at our core at the same time as encouraging sustainable ...
Patrick Harvie
Green
I am grateful to the minister for giving way a second time. He said that there will be no wind farms in national parks or scenic landscape. Will he say preci...
Derek Mackay
SNP
We are working on the definition of “wind farm”, but any reasonable person would understand that it means a number of wind turbines in a particular area. The...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister clarify what the status of the Peterhead proposal would be should his party’s policy of independence be successful?
Derek Mackay
SNP
I am sure that Scotland’s excellent record on energy and on ambitious climate change targets will continue with independence. In fact, I am sure that it will...
Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
Twenty years ago, I helped to set up Loudon pond community nature reserve in Clydesdale. That was the result of site regeneration, and it is now regarded as ...
Derek Mackay
SNP
That is an excellent point, with which I agree. I have been very impressed by work by, for example, the Scottish Wildlife Trust, which I visited in Cumbernau...
Sarah Boyack (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
I thank the many organisations that have sent us briefings today. I realise that they had a very short time to pull together their key observations, and thei...
Derek Mackay
SNP
I have said repeatedly that section 75 benefits should relate to the application and mitigation of a development, and not to the added extras that we know th...
Sarah Boyack
Lab
That could mean roads, public transport infrastructure, schools or energy, and we need to be much more specific. For example, because of the lack of investme...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
I must ask you to close.
Sarah Boyack
Lab
The SPP is about the how and the NPF is about the where, as the RTPI says. I have focused on the purpose of planning and what should be in the purpose as set...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I should say at the outset that we are quite tight for time in the debate.15:06
Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
I welcome today’s debate on the publication of the main issues report for the third national planning framework and the consultation draft of the Scottish pl...
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Margaret Mitchell
Con
I am pressed for time. I will perhaps give way later.I turn to some major aspects of the NPF3 main issues report. As an MSP for Central Scotland, I am hearte...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green)
Green
I thank Margaret Mitchell for giving me the opportunity to begin by commending the Government for not allowing the suggestion that there will be a reduction ...
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
Having listened very carefully to Patrick Harvie’s speech, I am completely unclear about what he means.
Patrick Harvie
Green
Well, I am not in government. Mike MacKenzie might be grateful for that, but I hope that one day I will have the chance to disappoint him.Whether the Governm...
Derek Mackay
SNP
Surely any reasonable person who reads the priorities in NPF3 will come to the clear conclusion that the transition to a low-carbon economy is a central driv...
Patrick Harvie
Green
Climate change is indeed mentioned, but I wonder whether a national planning framework and SPP that focus on sustainable development would have at their hear...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
We move to the open debate. As we are quite tight for time, I must ask for six-minute speeches.15:19
Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)
SNP
I am delighted that we have received many briefings for the debate from many interested organisations. After all, one of the problems that the planning syste...
Claudia Beamish
Lab
Will the member take an intervention?
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
I am sorry; the Presiding Officer has told us that we are short of time, so I think that I should move on.The planning system should be the midwife of that w...
Patrick Harvie
Green
Can Mr MacKenzie do what no Scottish Government minister has ever done and give a clear, unambiguous definition of what the hell sustainable economic growth ...
Mike MacKenzie
SNP
I think that you are deliberately misunderstanding that. It is difficult to say in a few words precisely what the meaning is but, nevertheless, I think that ...