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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

Mitchell, Margaret Con Central Scotland Watch on SPTV

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 heartened by the number of projects in my region that are designated as national developments. They include the central Scotland green network, which covers all three of the local authorities in Central Scotland; the Grangemouth investment zone; the Grangemouth and Peterhead carbon capture and storage project; and Ravenscraig. All of that is very good news.

It is expected that the development of Ravenscraig will lead to the creation of 12,000 jobs and make a significant contribution to the local economy, creating new opportunities in housing, education and leisure. There are clearly significant opportunities for regeneration and renewal at the Ravenscraig site, which will complement the new Motherwell College campus and the regional sports facility. In view of that, I sincerely hope that Ravenscraig remains one of the 14 new designations following the consultation.

When the minister gave evidence to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee on NPF3 and the SPP, one issue that was raised was the removal of the term “brownfield site” from the draft SPP. Among the possible connotations of the term are that the land in question might be contaminated or in poor condition. That is often not an accurate assessment of the land, and the term “previously developed” might make such sites sound more attractive. However, as the term “brownfield site” is widely understood by the general public to mean land that can be developed and which is quite distinct from a greenfield site, I think that, on balance, it would be helpful to retain the term.

In the same evidence session, the minister indicated that the town centres review would report “shortly”. Given the town-centres-first approach that has been taken in the draft SPP, as well as the importance of the review to many other policy areas, I would be grateful if he could confirm when the external advisory group will report. I hope that that will happen prior to the close of the consultation so that it can help to inform stakeholder responses to the draft SPP.

In the Scottish Conservatives’ most recent energy policy review, a Scotland-wide zoning exercise was suggested, with the resulting zoning plan to be included in the SPP. The zoning plan would clearly identify areas in which wind farms or other renewables projects could never be granted planning permission and areas in which they might be suitable. Given that, we cautiously welcome the suggestion in the draft SPP that a more rigorous zoning system be adopted for onshore wind developments than currently exists.

That said, although around a third of the countryside will potentially be protected by the proposed guidelines, there is no commitment from the Scottish National Party to reduce the overall number of turbines and no sign that its enthusiasm for wind energy is beginning to wane. In such circumstances, the fear is that zoning might simply result in more pressure being put on the remaining two thirds of the country that will not be spared in the guidelines. In addition, I am afraid that it comes too late for many communities in Scotland.

The Scottish Conservatives agree with much of the NPF3 main issues report and the consultation draft of the SPP, as well as the commendable aims that those documents seek to achieve.

I move amendment S4M-06933.1, to insert after fourth “place”:

“; notes the crucial role that effective enforcement structures and mechanisms play in the planning system and believes that this should be stressed in the final Scottish Planning Policy”.

15:12

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Meeting of the Parliament 12 June 2013

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