Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 11 January 2023
11 Jan 2023 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
National Planning Framework 4
In light of the minister’s opening remarks, does he accept that there has been a substantial change between the first draft and the revised draft of the NPF in the way that wild land areas are treated, which moves away from a presumption against development in wild land areas? Can he tell us who has been lobbying him to make that U-turn, and can he give us clarity now on what that means?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-07442, in the name of Tom Arthur, on the fourth national planning framework. I would be grateful if membe...
The Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth (Tom Arthur)
SNP
I am delighted to open this afternoon’s debate on Scotland’s fourth national planning framework. We are in a somewhat novel situation, with Parliament having...
Richard Leonard (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
In light of the minister’s opening remarks, does he accept that there has been a substantial change between the first draft and the revised draft of the NPF ...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I would, in the first instance, refer the member to the explanatory report that we published in November along with the revised draft of NPF4. It sets out in...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness and Nairn) (SNP)
SNP
The NPF4 refers to the fact that the A9 and A96 will be improved for reasons of safety. However, one word is conspicuous by its absence from the text, namely...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I am very grateful to Mr Ewing for the intervention. I am absolutely delighted to give him that commitment, on the record, here in Parliament.
Douglas Lumsden (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister give way?
Tom Arthur
SNP
Very briefly. I have a lot to get through.
Douglas Lumsden
Con
Fergus Ewing mentioned the A96 between Inverness and Nairn. Can the minister commit that the A96 will be fully dualled between Inverness and Aberdeen?
Tom Arthur
SNP
The commitments that the Government has made on dualling of the A9 and the A96 remain. Considerable work is being undertaken to ensure that we can deliver on...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Tom Arthur
SNP
I am afraid that I do not have time, but I am happy to take an intervention when I conclude the debate. To support that important principle for new developm...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
You must conclude, minister.
Tom Arthur
SNP
That last aspect is crucial to a country such as Scotland, where we are blessed with a rich and abundant natural environment and landscape. We have assets th...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, minister. I must ask you to conclude at that point.
Tom Arthur
SNP
In conclusion, the fourth national planning framework seeks to further our ambition for Scotland—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Minister, please conclude now.
Tom Arthur
SNP
—to be a fairer, greener and more prosperous country by changing how people in Scotland will live in the future through planning.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please conclude, minister.
Tom Arthur
SNP
I am proud to move, That the Parliament gives its approval, as required by section 3CA(1) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, to the draft...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Ariane Burgess to speak on behalf of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. 15:07
Ariane Burgess (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
Thank you, Presiding Officer, for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate, in my capacity as convener of the Local Government, Housing and Plan...
Miles Briggs (Lothian) (Con)
Con
Without wanting this to sound like an Oscar awards speech, I start by thanking the clerks of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee for their h...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
On the issue of housing, does the member agree that, although the content of NPF4 in respect of housing in rural Scotland is, to some extent, to be welcomed,...
Miles Briggs
Con
I absolutely agree with that point. A key aspect that needs to be addressed is that, given the additional costs faced by small-scale builders, many of which ...
Tom Arthur
SNP
I said in committee that I would meet stakeholders. I have met stakeholders, including a large organisation that has many drive-through premises, and I have ...
Miles Briggs
Con
I very much welcome that. To avoid unintended consequences of any policy that the Parliament introduces, it is important that the guidance does not result in...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Please conclude, Mr Briggs.
Miles Briggs
Con
Although I welcome much of what has been changed in NPF4, it is not acceptable in its current form, and therefore the Scottish Conservatives will not support...
Mark Griffin (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
NPF4 is a vitally important document—not for Parliament or Government, but for the communities, local decision makers and businesses that desperately need lo...