Scottish Government

INFRASTRUCTURE

102. The competitiveness of places depends on adequate investment in infrastructure. Improvements in transport infrastructure are needed to strengthen international links, tackle congestion, reduce journey times between our cities and support our rural communities. Parts of our electricity transmission network need to be strengthened if we are to realise the potential of our renewable energy resources. New installations are needed for the more effective management and recycling of waste. Developing local heat distribution networks can help us achieve much greater efficiency in our use of energy and resources. To ensure the sustainability of these investments, the implications of a changing climate must also be considered. For example, greater investment in catchment and coastal management may be required to reduce the risk of flooding. In some areas the capacity of water and drainage infrastructure needs to be increased to support economic growth and regeneration.

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

103. Legislation provides for the National Planning Framework to be used to designate certain projects as national developments. Designation in the Framework is the mechanism for establishing the need for these developments within the Scotland's overall national interest. The Government has indicated that major transport, energy and environmental infrastructure projects may fall within this category of development. In a statement to Parliament in September 2007, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth announced that projects which may be identified as national developments are those which:

• make a significant contribution to Scotland's sustainable economic development;
• strengthen Scotland's links with the rest of the world;
• deliver strategic improvements in internal connectivity;
• make a significant contribution to the achievement of climate change, renewable energy or waste management targets;
• are essential elements of a programme of investment in national infrastructure; or
• raise strategic issues of more than regional importance (projects with impacts on more than one city region, for example).

104. On the basis of an assessment against these criteria, the Scottish Government considers that the following projects should be identified as national developments (see Map 10):

1. Replacement Forth Crossing;

2. West of Scotland strategic rail enhancements;

3. strategic airport enhancements;

4. Grangemouth Freight Hub;

5. Rosyth International Container Terminal;

6. Port developments on Loch Ryan;

7. Scapa Flow Container Transhipment Facility;

8. new power station and transhipment hub at Hunterston;

9. new non-nuclear baseload capacity at other existing power station sites;

10. electricity grid reinforcements;

11. Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Scheme;

12. 2014 Commonwealth Games facilities.

Statements of need in respect of each of these projects are set out in the Annex. As projects of national importance, the Scottish Government will expect their design to be of a high quality. Given the Government's climate change targets, it will also be important to ensure that they are designed to minimise their carbon impact, with mitigation measures employed to counteract any negative impacts on emissions.

TRANSPORT

105. Scotland needs an effective national transport infrastructure which will facilitate sustainable economic growth. A clear, long-term vision is vital because transport infrastructure can take a long time to deliver and has a lifespan measurable in decades. It also helps to give developers and transport operators the certainty they need if they are to commit to major strategic investments.

106. We need to reduce journey times and make them more reliable; make connections which build and sustain economic growth; and improve links between cities towns and rural communities throughout the country. The Scottish Government is committed to international efforts to promote more sustainable patterns of transport in order to minimise climate change and protect the global environment. A key challenge is to break the link between economic growth, increased traffic and increased emissions.

107. The strategic outcomes set out in the National Transport Strategy are to:

• improve journey times and connections, to tackle congestion and the lack of integration and connections in transport;
• reduce emissions, to tackle the issues of climate change, air quality and health improvement; and
• improve quality, accessibility and affordability, to give people a choice of public transport, where availability means better quality transport services and value for money or an alternative to the car.

108. The Scottish Government is committed to making best use of the existing rail and road networks. That means that transport issues will need to be addressed from the outset in planning for future development. Development plan land allocations must take account of the availability of existing public transport infrastructure and the capacity of transport networks. Promoting higher densities and mixed use development close to public transport nodes will be important in urban areas. In rural areas public transport is not a practical answer to all travel needs, though well developed local service networks can help to reduce the need for long distance travel. The Government is currently preparing guidance to support a proportionate but effective approach to transport appraisal and modelling for development planning and management.

109. The Government is committed to expediting the replacement Forth crossing and electrification of the main rail line between Edinburgh and Glasgow. Transport infrastructure commitments for the period to 2012 include implementation of the Airdrie - Bathgate and Borders rail link projects; new surface rail links serving Edinburgh and Glasgow airports; continuing improvements to Edinburgh's Waverley Station; removing the bottleneck at the Raith junction on the M74; completion of the motorway network by delivering the M74 Extension and upgrading of the A8 and A80 to motorway standard east of Glasgow; construction of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route; and provision of a second road bridge at Kincardine.

110. It will be necessary to address significant development pressures over the next 25 years, particularly on the east side of the country where the population and number of households are growing most rapidly. Investment in transport will be needed to maintain and enhance essential infrastructure, support urban expansion, improve access to facilities and services, facilitate sustainable economic growth, and strengthen international gateways for passengers and freight. Ports and airports providing international freight and passenger links will need to be supported by an effective road and rail infrastructure.

111. There is a need to tackle congestion and improve public transport links between and within our cities. Improved connectivity can help unlock the potential of priority areas for regeneration such as the Clyde Corridor and Ayrshire, enabling more people to become economically active. Improvements in transport infrastructure are needed to support economic activity and improve access to facilities and services in our rural areas. It will be important to ensure that key locational decisions, and the investments in transport infrastructure necessary to support them help to move us towards a more sustainable, low carbon economy.

112. For the period from 2012 to 2022, the Strategic Transport Projects Review ( STPR) has developed a programme of interventions, based on an analysis of constraints and opportunities in 20 strategic corridors, the urban networks of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee and the strategic nodes of Perth and Inverness (see Map 5). The National Planning Framework reflects the outcome of the Review.

External Links

113. Economic success will depend on good connections with the rest of the United Kingdom and global markets. Scotland's position on the Atlantic seaboard makes it particularly important to respond to the changing geography of Europe and the development of European markets. We also need to strengthen links with North America and the growing economies of Asia.

114. The European Union ( EU) is Scotland's largest market for goods and the number of tourists from European countries is growing. The European Spatial Development Perspective recognises the importance of strengthening West-East links in Northern Europe and the first Framework identified reviving historic links with the Baltic Region as offering particular potential. The economies of the countries of Eastern Europe have been growing rapidly. With good connections, their expanding business and leisure markets offer major opportunities. The EU is promoting the development of a well-functioning and sustainable Trans-European Transport Network ( TEN-T) comprising roads, railways and shipping routes. The Scottish Government will press for the TEN-T network to be extended to North-East Scotland. It will also ensure that the strategic needs of key national and international cargo and ferry links are taken into account in considering improvements to road and rail infrastructure.

115. The Scottish Government is strongly committed to promoting a shift to more sustainable modes of transport. However, given Scotland's geographical position, good air links are vital for international connectivity and competitiveness. Air links to their countries of origin are important to the people from Central and Eastern Europe now contributing to the Scottish economy, and good international connectivity will be a crucial factor in encouraging more people to come to live and work in Scotland. The tensions between promoting air travel and reducing harmful emissions are addressed in more detail in the Environmental Report.

116. The UK Government's Air Transport White Paper, The Future of Air Transport, provides a strategic framework for the development of air transport to 2030. It recognises the economic and social importance of air travel, but seeks to minimise environmental impacts and ensure that, over time, the price of air travel reflects its environmental and social costs. The White Paper supports growth at Scotland's airports, including the development of new direct routes which reduce the need to connect through the congested airports in South East England. In promoting enhancements at our airports, the Scottish Government is placing emphasis on measures which improve surface access by public transport.

117. The Scottish Government has announced that a new station serving Edinburgh Airport will be built at Gogar on the Fife rail line. The construction of the Dalmeny chord, a new line linking the Fife and Edinburgh - Glasgow routes, will allow trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh to stop at the airport station. An interchange with the Edinburgh tram link will facilitate onward travel to the airport by public transport. The West Edinburgh Planning Framework safeguards land to meet long term requirements and recognises the potential of the area in the vicinity of Edinburgh Airport as an international business location capable of attracting shared service centres for world-class companies.

118. Glasgow Airport will continue to serve business and holiday markets. Preparatory work for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link has started and it is expected that the first trains will be running by the end of 2011. The Glasgow and the Clyde Valley Structure Plan safeguards land to meet the potential operational needs of the airport to 2030. At Prestwick Airport there is a need for improvements to rail and bus interchanges and potential for the further development of associated service businesses. Development plans safeguard land for future requirements at Aberdeen and Inverness airports.

119. The services offered by Edinburgh, Glasgow and Prestwick airports are in some respects complementary and there may be potential for strengthening connections between them. Linking our main cities and airports with higher speed trains could offer a much wider choice of destinations, allow mass passenger transfer between airports, and open up the South-West to more visitors. Increased capacity on rail services between Prestwick Airport and Glasgow city centre will be the minimum requirement over the next 25 years.

120. Cross-Border road and rail links are of prime economic importance and congestion and lack of infrastructure outwith Scotland can have an adverse impact on access to Europe and other parts of the UK. The economic benefits of tourism can be spread more widely if more of Scotland can be brought within 3 hours of major English cities. There is a need to improve journey times and the frequency of rail services to key destinations such as London, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham. Reducing journey times on routes between Aberdeen and Newcastle would improve the connectivity of knowledge economy clusters on the East Coast. Improvements to the West Coast Main Line would allow more cross-Border freight to be moved by rail. The Scottish Government will work with the UK Government and other bodies to strengthen cross-Border transport links.

121. A regular and reliable 4-hour journey time on existing lines between Central Scotland and London would help to make the train more competitive with flying. London's high speed link to the Continent makes it possible for a journey such as Inverness to Marseilles to be completed in a day. However, the scope for further increases in speed on the existing rail network is limited. The Scottish Government will pursue discussions with the UK Government on the development of a high-speed rail link to reduce journey times between Central Scotland and London to under 3 hours and provide direct rail services to the Continent.

122. Ports make a vital contribution to the economy and are modernising to meet the growth in world trade. On the East Coast, the Firth of Forth is a key strategic freight gateway and there is potential for the further expansion of port capacity. Grangemouth is Scotland's largest container port, with important European, Baltic and global connections. Approximately 9 million tonnes of cargo are handled through its docks each year. Forth Ports is concentrating its Scottish freight business at Grangemouth and has announced plans for the construction of 1 million sq ft of warehousing. English, Welsh & Scottish Railway Holdings Limited plans to offer direct rail freight services to Continental Europe from Grangemouth. Grangemouth is also home to most of Scotland's petrochemical industry. Improvements to strategic road and rail infrastructure would allow the area to function to its full potential as an intermodal freight hub.

123. A growing proportion of freight is containerised and the number of containers handled by Scottish ports is increasing steadily. A substantial area of reclaimed land immediately to the west of the Rosyth dockyard offers the opportunity to create a new international container terminal as part of the wider development of Rosyth as a key East Coast port. The location can offer deep water berthing accessible 24 hours a day. It is accessible by sea, road and rail, making it suitable for multi-modal operations. There is potential for the port to handle both international traffic and coastal services from English ports. It therefore offers opportunities to transport a higher proportion of containerised freight by sea rather than road.

124. The Ireland - United Kingdom - Benelux Euro-route follows the A77 and A75 trunk roads via Cairnryan, Stranraer and Dumfries. Stena Line plans to develop a new gateway port on Loch Ryan. The Scottish Government is already committed to spending more than £80 million to upgrade the A75 and A77 and the STPR identifies further improvements as a scheme for delivery from 2012. In addition, Ireland's National Spatial Strategy recognises the potential for moving freight through Scotland to avoid congestion on routes to England's East Coast ports and the matter is being pursued by the British - Irish Council.

125. The Government is committed to supporting the expansion of direct ferry links from Scotland. The Rosyth - Zeebrugge service will resume under a new operator in Spring 2009. The potential for a new ferry route between Kristiansund in Norway, Shetland, the UK and Continental Europe has been market tested by the partners involved and a preferred operator is taking the project forward. The Scottish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are funding an economic appraisal of the case for restoring the ferry service between Campbeltown and Ballycastle.

126. The international trend is towards larger container vessels and few existing European ports offer the channel and berth depths necessary to accommodate the largest container ships. Against this background, the sheltered deep water locations at Hunterston and Scapa Flow represent substantial opportunities (see Map 6). Given the capacity constraints at other UK ports, they offer potential for developing new transhipment and gateway facilities linked to world shipping routes. The Ayrshire Structure Plan safeguards Hunterston for the development of an international transhipment hub. The realisation of this potential will depend on efficient and effective access through the road and rail network. Orkney Islands Council is currently assessing the potential environmental impacts of establishing an international container hub at Lyness on the island of Hoy.

Internal Connectivity

127. The Forth road crossing at Queensferry is a key element of Scotland's national transport infrastructure. It is vital to the economy of Fife, an essential link for the East Coast Corridor and crucial to the connectivity of Perth and the Highlands and Islands. The Government is taking forward its replacement as a matter of priority.

128. The Government is focusing on reducing rail journey times between cities and making best use of the rail network for commuting journeys into city and town centres. Electrification of the rail line between Edinburgh and Glasgow will allow up to six trains an hour between them, with express services travelling from city centre to city centre in around 35 minutes, allowing the two cities to function as a single economic entity. Planned investment in all routes across Central Scotland could mean as many as 13 services an hour between the two cities within 10 years.

129. Expanding the capacity of the rail network to accommodate the projected growth in passenger and freight traffic will involve the use of longer trains, some new track, the provision of new and lengthened platforms, improvements in signalling and new information systems. To serve differing passenger needs, fast connections between the major cities will need to be complemented by services stopping at intermediate stations. Facilities which allow convenient interchange with other modes of transport will also be required. Planning policies should aim to maximise use of existing services, stations and terminals before considering the need for new ones.

130. The Government is committed to providing the additional capacity needed to support expanded rail services from Waverley and Haymarket Stations in Edinburgh. There is a need to widen the range of services to and from our main cities and, in particular, to tie areas to the South and West of Glasgow more closely to the major centres of the Central Belt.

131. While marginal reductions in short journey times are not as important to passengers as punctuality, reliability and comfort, significant reductions in longer journey times can deliver worthwhile economic benefits. Bringing Dundee, Aberdeen, Inverness and Newcastle closer to the Central Belt can do a lot to strengthen economic relationships between the city regions. Reducing journey times between Aberdeen and Inverness will help us to capitalise on synergies in the North-East and Highland economies. The scope for developing functional relationships is increased where travel times can be reduced below 60 minutes. Packages of measures have been identified to reduce rail journey times between Inverness and Edinburgh by 45 minutes, and to cut around 20 minutes off train journey times between Aberdeen and the Central Belt. The construction of a new rail line between Inverkeithing and Halbeath in association with the replacement Forth crossing would allow journey times through Fife to be reduced.

132. For trunk roads, the Government is focusing on tackling congestion where it affects journey time reliability, targeted enhancement of capacity, managing demand on the network and addressing the accessibility needs of rural areas. Work on the M74 extension between Fullarton and the M8 at the Kingston Bridge is underway. The projects to upgrade the A8 between Baillieston and Newhouse and the A80 between Stepps and Haggs to motorway standard are both expected to be completed in 2011. The completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route in 2012 will improve the flow of traffic round Aberdeen and improve connectivity between the North-East and the Central Belt. Improvements to some of the key junctions on the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass would reduce conflicts between strategic and local traffic and reduce journey times between concentrations of economic activity in the Edinburgh city region.The A82 and A83 trunk roads are key strategic routes for the Highlands and Islands. Targeted improvements between Glasgow and Fort William have been identified as a priority by the STPR. The Government is already committed to further improvements to nationally strategic trunk routes, including the A9, A96, A75 and A77. Many roads in the Highlands and Islands and the South of Scotland are lifeline routes for rural communities and of critical importance to the local economy. Their continued maintenance and improvement is essential to ensure the safety of the network and to support long-term development.

133. Connectivity is a particular challenge for island communities. While substantial progress has been made in providing bridge and causeway links to and between islands, overcoming the physical barrier of sea crossings remains a major challenge in the Highlands and Islands. Recognising the vital importance of ferry services in supporting island and other rural communities, the Scottish Government is undertaking a comprehensive review to identify what improvements should be made to meet future needs. It has also commissioned a study to establish the most effective and sustainable structure for a Road Equivalent Tariff ( RET) scheme, based on the evaluation of a pilot project for services to and from the Outer Hebrides, Coll and Tiree.

134. Waste, biomass and timber movements are of increasing significance. The closure of landfill sites can result in waste having to be moved further. Timber harvesting is set to increase to 2020 as our commercial forests mature. The Government will work with local authorities and the forestry industry to improve access to plantations to ensure that maturing timber can be harvested. Increased levels of harvesting means that movements of timber and other forest products will grow significantly. With improvements to infrastructure, more of this material could be transported by rail or water.

135. The Scottish Government will work in partnership with local authorities to support the development of local sustainable transport initiatives, including improving cycling and walking opportunities and the completion of a national cycle network well connected to local neighbourhood networks.

Sustainable Transport and Land Use

136. Progress towards more sustainable modes and patterns of transport will involve reducing the need for motorised travel, developing quick and efficient public transport networks which provide attractive alternatives to car use, and strengthening rail and water-based freight distribution networks. The challenges for land use planning are to create urban environments which facilitate walking and cycling; to ensure that new residential development is well related to existing public transport networks and designed to accommodate the extension of public transport services; and to concentrate business and retail activity at locations which minimise reliance on the private car. The renewal of existing urban areas can help to counter the trend towards long-distance commuting. Park-and-ride facilities, the design of the urban environment and parking restrictions can help to discourage car commuting into city centres.

137. To achieve a significant shift to more sustainable modes of travel, public transport services will have to meet the need for mobility and be fast, reliable and cheap. They will have to offer good connections and facilities for interchange and be supported by integrated ticketing and good passenger information systems. Integrated ticketing from gateway to destination and improved rail and bus services on popular routes could help to make our tourist visitors less dependent on the car. Demand responsive transport solutions may have a role to play in urban and rural areas.

138. Short-haul journeys between conurbations are where rail services can most readily replace air travel. Rail offers the best alternative to the car for inter-city and long distance commuting journeys. Light rail, trams and buses are better suited to commuter and other trips within urban areas. Buses are the most frequently used and widely available mode of public transport. They are flexible and can be introduced quickly where new demand is identified. In many rural areas, they are the only viable public transport option. Buses - Moving into the Future sets out an action plan for the development of bus services. The STPR has identified the need for strategic park-and-ride facilities which would significantly improve public transport accessibility to our city centres. There is likely to be scope for further ferry and hovercraft services for firth crossings and on coastal routes.

139. The City of Edinburgh Council plans to have the first part of its projected tram network, the line between Newhaven and Edinburgh Airport, operational by 2011. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport ( SPT) is developing proposals for Clyde Fastlink, a dedicated bus route serving key locations on the Clyde Waterfront which is designed to be capable of being adapted to light rail. The Government wants to make it possible for everyone attending the Commonwealth Games to arrive by public transport or non-motorised means. A study commissioned by the North East Scotland Transport Partnership ( NESTRANS) is looking at how best to deliver Aberdeen Cross-rail, a project involving the provision of new stations and improved rail services between Stonehaven and Inverurie.

140. The Government is committed to developing incentives such as the Freight Facilities Grant and Waterborne Freight Grants to encourage the movement of a higher proportion of freight by rail and water. It will be important to ensure that significant freight-generating uses are located as close to the rail network, strategic freight facilities and ports as possible. Research on sustainable freight facilities concluded that development of a number of interchanges at strategic locations on the transport network would help to promote modal shift. The Government and the Enterprise Networks have commissioned research on the need for and potential location of multi-modal freight hubs. There is considerable potential for the development of short sea shipping routes between UK ports.

141. Of the 2,736 miles of rail track in Scotland only 23% is currently electrified. This results in a significant reliance on diesel trains which contribute to CO2 emissions. The Government will pursue the implementation of the medium-term programme of electrification identified in Scotland's Railways together with an extension to Grangemouth over the period to 2014. Electrification of the entire strategic rail network based on renewable and clean power generation would eliminate emissions and the Government believes that this must be the long-term objective. The focus will be on heavily trafficked routes in the first instance.

142. The canal network is currently an underused component of our transport infrastructure. It has links to some of Scotland's major ports and could be used to remove non time-critical freight from the road and rail networks if supported by the development of appropriate facilities. British Waterways Scotland is taking forward plans designed to stimulate greater use of the network and bring new life and mixed use development to the canal environs. The Caledonian Canal can play a role in strengthening water-based connectivity between Scandinavia and Ireland.

ENERGY

Renewable Energy

143. While the target of generating 50% of the electricity we use from renewable sources by 2020 is likely to be met, we also need to derive a higher proportion of our energy requirements for heating and transport from renewable sources. In line with EU objectives, the Scottish Government is committed to working towards deriving 20% of total energy use from renewable sources by 2020. It is currently consulting on a framework for the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies prepared in co-operation with the Forum for Renewable Energy Development in Scotland ( FREDS).

144. The Government is committed to establishing Scotland as a leading location for the development of renewable energy technology and an energy exporter over the long term. It is encouraging a mix of renewable energy technologies, with growing contributions from offshore wind, wave, and tidal energy, along with greater use of biomass. The aim of national planning policy is to develop Scotland's renewable energy potential whilst safeguarding the environment and communities.

145. The harnessing of renewable sources of energy is effecting a radical change in Scotland's energy economy, and the location of many of these resources means that rural areas are well placed to benefit. As wave, tidal, biomass, solar, hydrogen and offshore wind technologies continue to develop, they will become more competitive and commercially attractive, allowing them to make large contributions to Scotland's energy mix over the next 25 years. Hydro-power and onshore wind are the renewable technologies likely to make the largest contributions initially and biomass should begin to make a significant contribution in the next decade. Given the potential environmental impacts, there is probably limited scope for new large hydro-electric projects. However, there is significant interest in the development of small-scale schemes and the potential to link hydro-power development with pumped storage. Scotland has one of the best environments in the world for wave and tidal generation and marine technologies have the potential to make a major contribution in the longer term. A strategy for the development of marine renewable energy is being prepared.

146. The potential of some renewable energy technologies has a strong spatial dimension. The Crown Estate has identified the Moray Firth and a zone to the East of the Firths of Tay and Forth as locations with potential for the development of offshore windfarms. The north and west coasts offer a number of locations with very substantial potential for harnessing the energy of tidal streams. Further environmental assessment of Scottish coastal waters is being undertaken to inform locational decisions.

147. The Fife Energy Park at Methil demonstrates the potential for adapting coastal facilities created to support the oil and gas industry to new uses related to the development of renewable energy. There may also be opportunities to site new renewable energy facilities where they can take advantage of the transmission capacity released by the closure of existing power stations. Biomass plants should be sited where they can make best use of locally available resources and will not encourage inappropriate planting.

148. Small-scale renewable energy projects can make a valuable contribution locally. They can play a vital role in supporting the sustainable development of remote rural and island communities in particular. Cumulatively, they can make a significant contribution to the development of a more decentralised pattern of energy generation. Their local environmental effects will need careful management.

149. The Scottish Government is assisting planning authorities with the preparation of supplementary planning guidance on the location of wind farms. It is also participating in a UK-wide project to identify technical solutions to potential conflicts between wind farm developments and radar systems. In parallel, it is working to promote regional solutions to potential conflicts between civil aviation radar and wind farms in the South of Scotland Terminal Manoeuvring Area.

Baseload Power Stations

150. Given the variable output of some renewable sources of energy, large baseload power stations will have a role to play in maintaining the stability of electricity supply for some time ahead. While important elements of Scotland's existing baseload generating capacity are scheduled to close over the next 10 years, extensions to the lives of coal-fired and nuclear power stations are possible. Scottish Power is investigating the feasibility of retrofitting clean coal and carbon-capture technology at the coal-fired power stations at Longannet in Fife and Cockenzie in East Lothian, which could extend their lives beyond 2015. Its proposals for Longannet have got through the pre-qualifying round of the UK competition to identify and implement a demonstration carbon capture and storage scheme. British Energy has announced that the Hunterston B nuclear power station in North Ayrshire will continue to operate until at least 2016. The nuclear power station at Torness will continue to make a contribution until at least 2023.

151. Clean coal technologies offer a long-term future for coal-based electricity generation and Scottish companies are world leaders in the field. The Scottish Government regards carbon sequestration as a potentially cost-effective method of reducing CO2 emissions from thermal power stations. Land at Hunterston has the capacity to accommodate a major new clean coal fired power station. As a general principle, the Government considers that new plant should be sited adjacent to existing thermal power stations where it can make use of existing supporting infrastructure (see Map 10).

152. The Scottish Government does not support the construction of new nuclear power stations in Scotland. It favours the timely decommissioning and environmental remediation of redundant nuclear power stations and related buildings and recognises that sites will be needed for new waste management and disposal installations to support decommissioning activities generally. It will expect site operators to work closely with planning authorities and SEPA in the design and siting of radioactive waste management installations.

Fossil Fuels

153. The oil and gas industry continues to make a major contribution to Scotland's economy. The development of Atlantic oil and gas reserves may create requirements for further storage, treatment and support services on the Shetland Islands, the Outer Hebrides and the West Coast.

154. There are large extractable reserves of coal in South and Central Scotland. Coal is won by opencast methods across the Central Lowlands from Ayrshire to Fife and permission has been granted for workings in Dumfries and Galloway.

155. The methane held in coal beds deep beneath Central Scotland is estimated to be equivalent to at least 10% of Scotland's gas demand for the next 25 years. Most of these coal beds are well located in relation to existing gas pipelines and, given their proximity to our main coal-fired power stations, there is potential for combining the extraction process with carbon capture. Planning authorities in the Central Belt should consider the potential for onshore gas extraction when preparing their development plans. As the pipe network required to facilitate gas extraction would extend across local authority boundaries, authorities may need to work together to develop a consistent planning policy framework.

Electricity Transmission

156. The pattern of the existing grid (see Map 7) reflects the relationship of existing power stations to settlement. New capacity for the generation of electricity from renewable sources is being developed across Scotland. However, much of this is in remoter coastal and upland areas and requires to be transmitted to centres of population across the electricity grid. The capacity of parts of the system needs to be increased to facilitate this transmission. Given the long lead-in time for electricity transmission projects, much of this investment must be made soon. There is a presumption in favour of adequate grid connection for areas which planning authorities identify as preferred areas for renewable energy development.

157. The electricity market regulator, Ofgem, has the role of approving, on the basis of an economic assessment, investment in potential upgrades proposed by the Scottish transmission owners. Ofgem has approved a number of transmission system reinforcements as "baseline projects". These include:

• the Beauly-Denny line project;
• the upgrading of the substation at Sloy (which already has planning permission);
• increased north-south transfer capability in Central Scotland;
• a new South-West Scotland transmission line and associated infrastructure; and
• strengthening the Scotland-England interconnectors.

The Ofgem assessment does not remove requirements for Electricity Act and planning consent.

158. In addition to the "baseline projects", the Scottish transmission owners have identified a number of further key system reinforcements. Sub-sea links will be essential to realise the substantial renewable potential of the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and the Shetland Islands. Upgrades to the existing Beauly - Dounreay, Beauly - Keith and East Coast transmission lines will be required. Central Scotland and Argyll are other areas where the transmission system needs to be strengthened. While grid reinforcement is likely to take place along existing routes, some new connections and route modifications may be necessary (see Map 8).

159. Map 10 identifies those reinforcements which the Scottish Government proposes to designate as national developments. They will require to be accompanied by a programme of landscape maintenance and enhancement. In identifying these reinforcements, no assumption is being made about the need for transmission, or transmission routes, between Beauly and Denny. The decision on that matter will be made by Scottish Ministers in the light of the recent public inquiry into the application by SHETL and SP Transmission Limited under section 37 of the Electricity Act.

Sub-sea Super-grid

160. The Scottish Government is committed to a strategic approach to electricity transmission and looking to how the system might evolve beyond the currently programmed land-based upgrades, with a particular focus on export. The land-based interconnectors to England may require further upgrading if this potential is to be realised. The Crown Estate has published proposals for a sub-sea transmission cable off the United Kingdom's East Coast. The Scottish Government is working with the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to investigate the potential for developing sub-sea cable routes to harness marine energy resources. It is also in discussion with North Sea partners and the European Commission on proposals for a North Sea super-grid, to take electricity from Scotland and other countries in the northern North Sea direct to major continental markets. By connecting geographically dispersed regions, a super-grid would offer the additional advantage of smoothing out variations in output from sources such as windfarms as weather patterns move across Europe.

Heat

161. About 50% of Scotland's energy demand is for heat. While the main energy source for heating is currently gas, Scotland has one of the best climates in Europe for the solar heating of buildings. Higher building standards and improved insulation can substantially reduce heating requirements. There is considerable potential to derive more heat for domestic, business and industrial purposes from sources such as ground, water and air source heat pumps, waste and biomass. Better use can also be made of the heat produced by electricity generation, industrial processes and anaerobic digestion. Many of these sources of heat can be harnessed at a domestic, local or community level, but some require larger scale operations. The Scottish Government is committed to helping to build a commercially viable and diverse heat industry and is currently consulting on a Renewable Heat Action Plan.

Decentralised Production

162. The Government is keen to facilitate the development of a more dispersed pattern of energy generation and supply as part of the response to the climate change challenge. This will involve encouraging community and household heat and power generation, the decentralisation of generation capacity and the development of local heat networks. The efficiency of power stations can be substantially increased by capturing the heat produced by electricity generation to warm our buildings. Advances in technology which allow heat to be transmitted efficiently over longer distances may create scope for developing heat networks based on some of our existing power stations. Harnessing components of the waste stream and other biomass offers the potential to develop new, smaller combined heat and power ( CHP) stations close to communities. In some areas, particularly in rural Scotland, wood or other biomass may provide the most appropriate fuels for local heating schemes. Investment in transmission and distribution networks may be required to facilitate more decentralised patterns of electricity generation.

163. Planning authorities have an important role in facilitating more decentralised patterns of energy generation and supply. They should take account of the potential for developing heat networks when preparing development plans and considering major development proposals.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Municipal, Commercial and Industrial Waste

164. Waste management infrastructure has an important part to play in realising the Scottish Government's objective of a greener Scotland. The targets set by the EU Landfill Directive necessitate a move away from landfill, and a greater recognition of the substantial potential of waste as a resource. Currently, we have capacity to divert some 1 million tonnes of municipal waste from landfill. This will need to be increased to some 1.5 million tonnes by 2010, over 2 million tonnes by 2013 and some 2.5 million tonnes by 2020. Additional capacity will also be required to treat commercial and industrial waste. Development of the necessary infrastructure is a Government priority.

165. Key elements of the Scottish Government's Waste Policy are:

• increasing the proportion of municipal waste recycled or composted to 40% by 2010; 50% by 2013; 60% by 2020; and 70% by 2025;
• reducing the proportion of municipal waste going to landfill to 5% by 2025;
• stopping the growth in municipal waste by 2010;
• a 25% cap on energy-from-waste;
• a requirement that energy from waste plants achieve high efficiency in terms of energy recovery; and
• the preparation of a revised National Waste Plan which will set targets for reducing the amount of commercial and industrial waste sent to landfill.

166. The planning system has a crucial role to play in ensuring that installations are delivered within timescales which allow waste management targets to be met. Planning authorities should facilitate the provision of a network of waste management installations which enable the movement of waste to be minimised and EU and national targets to be met, taking account of opportunities to derive energy from waste and develop local heat networks. To support the Government's drive towards a low carbon economy, relationships between waste, heat and other forms of energy must be fully considered by planning authorities at an early stage in the preparation of development plans and in determining major planning applications. Provision for the additional waste management capacity required at city-region level must be made in strategic development plans. The 25% cap on energy from municipal waste will apply at the local as well as the national level and will be a material consideration in development management decisions. The Scottish Government will publish separate guidance on its operation

167. Other types of waste management infrastructure will include recycling and composting installations, anaerobic digestion plants, transfer stations and plants to turn recycled materials into products. Relevant considerations in the siting of installations will include the proximity principle, the transport network and the relationship of intermediate transfer and treatment installations to tertiary waste management installations. Modern treatment and transfer centres are contained facilities which can be accommodated on industrial estates. Where possible, they should be located close to the population centres they serve. They should be linked to tertiary waste management installations in a "hub and spoke" arrangement, where possible by rail or water.

168. The forthcoming revised National Waste Plan may identify a need for a number of national installations to deal with particular waste streams. Any such installations are likely to be designated as national developments in the third National Planning Framework ( NPF3).

Radioactive Waste

169. Scottish Government policy on higher activity radioactive waste is currently being developed. However, in accordance with the proximity principle, it is likely that facilities to manage this waste will be required in areas close to the source of origin.

170. The decommissioning of the former nuclear power research site at Dounreay in Caithness forms part of a programme of investment in specialised infrastructure designed to treat and manage radioactive waste safely. A proposal for a low level radioactive waste facility at Dounreay is currently the subject of a planning application. A further facility will be needed in the South of Scotland for radioactive waste arising from processes elsewhere. These facilities will be developed in line with the Policy for the Long Term Management of Solid Low Level Radioactive Waste in the United Kingdom published in March 2007.

171. Radioactive waste also arises from the healthcare sector, the oil and gas industry and educational establishments. At present certain types waste are sent to England because no disposal route exist in Scotland. With the support of the Scottish Government, strategies are being developed on a UK-wide basis for both nuclear and non-nuclear industry low level radioactive wastes, the aim being to ensure that effective treatment and disposal routes exist across the UK.

WATER AND DRAINAGE

172. The renewal of water and drainage infrastructure by Scottish Water involves substantial investment over a significant period of time. It is therefore important to ensure that Scottish Water's long-term investment programme is based on a thorough assessment of needs, including the Government's priorities for economic development, area regeneration and environmental improvement.

173. Scottish Water is undertaking a £2.5 billion investment programme between 2006-10. Priorities for the improvement of water and drainage infrastructure between 2010 and 2014 have also been identified. Amongst the objectives set by Scottish Ministers in a Direction to Scottish Water is a requirement to provide sufficient strategic infrastructure capacity to meet the needs of all estimated new housing developments and the domestic requirements for commercial and industrial developments over the period to 2014. Ministers will ensure that objectives for periods beyond 2014 continue to take account of development needs. Scottish Water is working with local authorities and developers to ensure that it prioritises the development of new strategic infrastructure in accordance with its quality investment programme, the spatial priorities identified in this Framework and the development priorities identified by local authorities in their development plans.

174. Generally, lack of capacity in water and drainage infrastructure should no longer be a significant constraint on development, although small scale or single unit developments in some rural areas, including parts of the South of Scotland and the Highlands may experience delays.

175. In the West of Scotland, the Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Partnership has a key role to play in facilitating regeneration on the east side of the Glasgow conurbation, including realising the potential of the Clyde Gateway and delivering the facilities for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Substantial investment in water and drainage infrastructure will also be needed to support expansion in the A96 Corridor between Inverness and Nairn, and the expanded communities to be served by the Borders rail line.

FLOODING AND WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

176. The projected increase in flood risk as a consequence of climate change has implications for the siting of new development, the protection of existing development, coastal defence and the safeguarding of cultural heritage. Reference to SEPA's internet based map of areas at risk from flooding will help to inform decisions on the location of development and the provision of mitigation and attenuation measures where vulnerable sites have been selected for development.

177. The Government is committed to an integrated approach to the management of water, including environmental protection, public health, flood risk management, the supply and drainage infrastructure required for development, and aquaculture. Improving the quality of the water environment can help create healthier ecosystems, deliver substantial amenity and recreational benefits and contribute to urban regeneration. The Water Environment and Water Services Act 2003 provides a framework for the sustainable management of water resources. Comprehensive River Basin Management Plans ( RBMP) are being prepared, based on the analysis of all human impacts on water systems. The plans will be published in 2009, and will set environmental objectives for individual water bodies. There will be a need for effective interaction between development plans and River Basin Management Plans in this strategic approach to water management. Work is being undertaken to ensure effective interaction between the two systems.

178. Sustainable catchment management measures have an important part to play in providing long-term solutions to problems of flooding. They can also be integrated into wider greenspace and ecological networks. By taking a catchment based approach, we can minimise the risks to people and property and tackle the causes and effects of flooding. Flood risk can be reduced by slowing the flow of water to burns and rivers. This can be achieved by increasing the capacity of natural features such as wetlands, meanders and flood plain woodlands as well as by engineered flood protection structures. Canals should also play a role in catchment management and flood risk reduction. The Government has introduced the Flooding Risk Management Bill to modernise the framework for sustainable flood management. Local authorities and SEPA will work together to produce flood management plans identifying potential trouble spots, communities at risk and measures to lower risk.

COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

179. Access to modern information and communications technology is now vital for business, Scotland's geography makes the delivery of comprehensive coverage challenging. The Government has therefore intervened with a programme of investment which has made broadband accessible to over 99% of households. Scotland is now one of Europe's leaders in broadband availability, placing it in a strong position to take advantage of the economic opportunities offered by modern communications technologies. The Government has allocated a further £3.5 million to make broadband available to all those individuals and businesses who have reported that they do not yet have access.

180. Research on next generation broadband has concluded that there is currently no business case for Government intervention to support the extension of private high bandwidth services, given that their primary application appears at this stage to be in the field of home entertainment. The current focus is on improvements to digital connectivity in the public sector, including health and education facilities and local authority premises. For example, the Pathfinder projects are delivering high-capacity broadband to all schools (and many other public sites) in the Highlands and Islands and the South of Scotland, with a Government contribution of £70M.

181. The planning of major infrastructure projects such as railways, roads, tunnels, pipelines and electricity cables should take account of opportunities to extend the digital communications network. The switch to digital television between 2008 and 2012 will create opportunities to provide new community information, shopping and entertainment services.