Scottish Government Meeting Highlights Progress and Areas for Improvement in Planning and Housing
Key Ideas
- Updates on the Masterplan Consent Areas (MCA) guidance and upcoming changes to planning fees were discussed.
- Progress with the National Planning Improvement Framework, surveys, and the importance of supporting planning authorities was highlighted.
- Positive feedback on the Hydrogen Planning Hub's effectiveness and plans for future hydrogen applications were shared.
- Updates on the Planning and Housing Emergency Delivery Plan, including actions on flood risk policy, housing audits, and stalled sites, were provided.
A meeting in Scotland, attended by various officials including Cllr Gail Macgregor and Ivan McKee MSP, discussed updates on planning and housing initiatives. The Minister for Public Finance highlighted progress in the Masterplan Consent Areas guidance and upcoming changes to planning fees. The group discussed the National Planning Improvement Framework's progress, with a focus on supporting planning authorities. The Hydrogen Planning Hub's success and plans for future hydrogen developments were positively received. Updates on the Planning and Housing Emergency Delivery Plan's actions, such as engagement with SEPA and HOPS, housing audits, and a Planning Graduate Scheme, were shared. Concerns about consistent application of NPF4 in energy project applications and the need for more efficient handling of Section 36 applications were raised by the Applicant Stakeholder Group representative, with commitments to address these issues.