Scotland’s new planning framework makes a “fundamental change in the way we think about development”, according to Planning Minister Tom Arthur.
He spoke out ahead of finalised proposals for the system being tabled in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday.
The revised National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) will set out policies against which planning applications will be assessed for the next decade.
But it also seeks to make the planning system key to achieving net zero, setting out the role planning can play in tackling climate change with the goal of encouraging a nature recovery and creating places where people, communities and businesses can all thrive.
Arthur said: “The new draft NPF4 signals a turning point for planning.
“It represents a fundamental change in the way we think about development and puts tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change at its heart.
“The Scottish Government has carefully considered the wealth of information and views expressed during the NPF4 consultation and I look forward to taking a final version to the Scottish Parliament later today.”
The NPF4 should embed the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in domestic planning standards and could shape planning decisions for the next 30 years.
The needs of older people and the disabled will be considered when designing housing, while increasing the density of existing settlements or building homes on disused land is also aimed at reduce the need to travel unsustainably for work or leisure.
The framework would support renewable development, providing the impact is acceptable. This includes building more powerful or new wind farms outside national parks and National Scenic Areas, subject to case-by-case assessments.
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