The SPP is a statement of Scottish Government policy on nationally important land use matters.
The SPP was published in February 2010. It consolidated a series of topic specific policy statements into a single, more concise statement. The SPP currently contains:
- An overview of the key components and overall aims and principles of the planning system.
- Cross-cutting policies on sustainable economic growth, community engagement and sustainable development.
- Subject specific policies on: economic development, town centres and retailing, housing, rural development, coastal planning, fish farming, historic environment, landscape and natural heritage, open space and physical activity, green belts, transport, renewable energy, flooding and drainage, waste management, minerals, on-shore oil and gas, surface coal mining and communications infrastructure.
- And sets out the desired outcomes from the planning system, including the creation of high quality sustainable places, and increased sustainable economic growth.
Review of the SPP
A review of the policy was announced in the Scottish Parliament on September 18, 2012 by Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government and Planning. The review will:
- Up-date policy : many of the previous Scottish planning policies bought together in the 2010 consolidation were debated and published prior to 2008.
- Focus the policy on sustainable economic growth : the SPP must look to meet the challenges presented by the significant economic challenges we continue to face.
- Emphasise place making : good quality, successful and sustainable places are achieved by making connections and understanding linkages – such places in urban and rural Scotland are vital to the success of the economy.
The review will be of the document as a whole, not on a topic-by-topic basis. This means looking at the connections between policy topics and taking a more integrated approach.
The intended timescale for the review is:
Draft SPP public consultation
The draft Scottish Planning Policy was published on Tuesday April 30, 2013. This is followed by a 12-week period of public consultation, ending on Tuesday July 23, 2013.
Alignment with NPF
The timescales align with the review of the National Planning Framework. The documents are being reviewed in parallel but will remain separate. Reviewing them at the same time will enable connections to be make between where we want to see development (the NPF) and how we want to see it delivered (the SPP). Engagement on both documents at the same time will be more productive and more efficient. The intended outcome will be an improved, up-to-date and robust national basis for enabling development.
Participation
The Scottish Government is committed to encouraging interest and involvement in the preparation of the SPP. Interested parties can participate in the review in a number of ways:
We are continually looking for new ways and additional opportunities to enable participation and would welcome suggestions from interested parties.
Contacts
| Email | sppreview@scotland.gsi.gov.uk |
| Telephone: Planning Helpline Carrie Thomson Helen Wood | 08457 741741 0131 244 7529 0131 244 7534 |
| Address | Scottish Planning Policy Review Scottish Government
Planning & Architecture Division
Area 2-J South
Victoria Quay
Edinburgh
EH6 6QQ |