Chamber
Plenary, 01 Apr 2004
01 Apr 2004 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Planning
I welcome the minister's references to the centrality of economic growth. She will be aware that business organisations are concerned about the third-party right of appeal; I think that businesses are equally concerned that the planning system, as it is reformed, should become less cumbersome, less time consuming and less expensive for all. Can the minister assure us that those principles will be built into any necessary reform?
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh):
Con
The first item of business is a statement by Margaret Curran on modernising and reforming Scotland's planning system. The minister will take questions at the...
The Minister for Communities (Ms Margaret Curran):
Lab
I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to Parliament about our plans for modernising the planning system. Today, I am publishing two consultation pape...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
The minister will now take questions on her statement. I have a long—and lengthening—list of names on my screen, so I ask members to be very tight indeed wit...
Shona Robison (Dundee East) (SNP):
SNP
I thank the minister for the advance copy of her statement. I know that the Executive is keen on producing documents and, in particular, on consultations, bu...
Ms Curran:
Lab
I am delighted that so many members are taking an interest in planning and, in the interests of consensus, I say that Shona Robison has asked a key set of qu...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I, too, welcome the minister's statement, the national planning framework and the two consultation papers. As the real Opposition party, the Conservatives wi...
Ms Curran:
Lab
It will be very tedious if I compliment all the Opposition speakers on the points that they raise. Indeed, that is completely outwith my character, but I am ...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
The minister need not congratulate me.The main thrust of the Liberal Democrats' concern about planning is that we should create a system that has enough well...
Ms Curran:
Lab
Donald Gorrie is particularly reasonable today and I must congratulate him on that. His point about staff is significant and we must give great consideration...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
The minister leaves me no choice but to call Sarah Boyack.
Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab):
Lab
That is a bit of a poisoned chalice.I welcome the minister's statement and the various documents that have been issued this morning, which represent a big st...
Ms Curran:
Lab
I agree that we will have to give serious attention to how the system is staffed and supported. I may well discuss that with Sarah Boyack again, because it w...
Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green):
Green
The partnership agreement says that the Executive"will consult on new rights of appeal in planning cases".However, it seems to me that only one of the four o...
Ms Curran:
Lab
When Eleanor Scott reads the consultation documents, she will see that such issues are addressed. I would not want to suggest that we are limiting the consul...
Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab):
Lab
I, too, welcome the minister's statement, the consultation on third-party rights of appeal and the national planning framework. I want to deal with the princ...
Ms Curran:
Lab
Yes, that is part of the answer to some of the issues that we face. I have spoken about earlier and more targeted engagement with communities and stakeholder...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate the minister on responding so promptly to target 7 in the communities section of the "Annual Evaluation Report 2005-06", which says:"In 2004, ...
Ms Curran:
Lab
We intend the consultation to last four months. Obviously, we will then review the outcome of the consultation. I will be happy to explain the details of tha...
Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab):
Lab
Does the minister agree that we must have a system that guarantees that local plans are updated regularly and in genuine consultation with communities? Does ...
Ms Curran:
Lab
I have listened intently to Karen Whitefield's points on the planning system over recent months. There is a lot in what she says. We have to get local plans ...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I welcome the minister's references to the centrality of economic growth. She will be aware that business organisations are concerned about the third-party r...
Ms Curran:
Lab
I feel like I have arrived on another planet: I agree with Murdo Fraser.
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
Steady on.
Ms Curran:
Lab
I know—I will be agreeing with Mike Rumbles before I know what I am doing. That was too much—I apologise to Mike Rumbles.Murdo Fraser is absolutely right, an...
Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab):
Lab
I hope that the minister will agree that it is a discourtesy to Parliament and to back benchers in particular that the national planning framework, the two c...
Ms Curran:
Lab
I apologise. I am sure that Wendy Alexander, of all people, knows that there are procedures to ensure that such things are done. I assumed that those procedu...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
I am sure that members will appreciate that.
Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD):
LD
I warmly welcome the statement on the review of the planning system, especially the focus on social housing. I hope that the minister will be considering rur...
Ms Curran:
Lab
I assure the member that there will be full and proper engagement with business on the range and complexity of the issues that we are addressing. We will eng...
Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the statement and recognise the importance of strategic planning at the city-region level. Can the minister assure me that the mechanisms for deliv...