Meeting of the Parliament 11 June 2025
I am afraid that I am restricting my comments in the debate to my prepared remarks, given that the matter concerns a live planning application.
It remains the case that all planning applications and appeals should be determined in accordance with the development plan for the area affected, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. There have been significant reforms to the Scottish planning system in recent years. The statutory development plan includes the national planning framework 4 and the relevant local development plan. The primary responsibility for determining planning applications rests with the relevant local authority in the first instance.
I remind members that appeals have an important role to play in our system, too, and ministers use their powers to call in applications and appeals very sparingly. As a matter of law, all planning applications must be determined on the planning merits of the case, taking full account of all submissions that are made by parties involved in the case, including representations from members of the local community.
Once again, I recognise that members have spent a great deal of time considering the appeal and that their views are strongly held. It is, in fact, usual for the planning system to balance competing interests, and it is important that the Parliament recognises that the system is designed to deal with a wide range of views and issues in an objective manner.
Members will appreciate that, as the planning appeal remains live, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further so as not to prejudice the decision-making process and to maintain the integrity of the planning system. With that, I conclude.
I move amendment S6M-17862.1, to insert at end:
“, and that any subsequent decision on the planning application should be made in a fair and impartial way that takes into account all relevant legal requirements and maintains the integrity of the planning process.”
16:10Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.
- S6M-17862.1 Planning Motion