INTRODUCTION
The National Planning Framework ( NPF) is the strategy for the long-term development of Scotland's towns, cities and countryside. It is concerned with how we want Scotland to develop over the next 20 to 25 years and where things need to happen to make that possible. The NPF identifies key strategic infrastructure needs to ensure that each part of the country can develop to its full potential. It guides Scotland's development to 2030, setting out strategic development priorities to support the Scottish Government's central purpose - sustainable economic growth.
It takes forward the spatial aspects of the Government Economic Strategy, highlighting the importance of place and identifying priorities for investment to enable each part of the country to play to its strengths in building a Scotland that is wealthier and fairer, smarter, stronger and greener, healthier, safer and stronger. It provides the strategic spatial policy context for decisions and actions by the Government and its agencies. Planning authorities are required to take the Framework into account when preparing development plans and it is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
