October 2017
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This seminar provided a timely opportunity for delegates to discuss the next steps for planning policy in Scotland, following the Scottish Government’s announcement that it will put forward a Planning Bill as part of its Programme for Government.
Delegates assessed the Scottish Government’s proposed changes to Scotland’s planning framework at local, regional and national levels and the likely impact on the strategic planning of major infrastructure projects. They also discussed opportunities for future-proofing Scotland’s planning system, drawing on lessons from the rest of the UK to assess approaches for tackling the skills shortage within planning, the potential for technological innovation and realising the resilient and sustainable communities outlined in the Scottish Government’s draft energy strategy.
Further sessions considered proposed changes to the planning system aimed at addressing barriers to the delivery of housing in Scotland, and how this may impact on the provision of other vital infrastructure such as telecommunications. The agenda looked at the possible role of Simplified Planning Zones for housing, changes to funding mechanisms for the planning system such as the rise in planning fees and the proposed infrastructure levy, as well as how proposals such as extending permitted development rights may encourage the infrastructure first approach put forward by the Scottish Government.
