Hansard

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...