These are two examples of responses sent to the Scottish Government consulation on changes to Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) The changes may sound technical but they should have positive impacts and potentially reduce future destruction of Green Belt through speculative housing developments. There is likely to be strong lobbying from the volume housebuilding industry against these changes. We can make an impact by responding too.
Suggested quick answers to the 5 questions in the Consultation:
Question 1. We support the removal of ‘the presumption’ from the SPP through the changes set out.
Question 2. We support the changes set out and the resulting clarification of the definition of effective housing land supply.
Question 3. We support the proposed changes to paragraph 125, that clarify the methodology of calculating 5 year housing land supply and how any shortfall would be assessed. We agree that the disputed matter of plans becoming ‘out-of-date’ should be removed for the reasons given the consultation.
Question 4. Yes.
Question 5. Yes.
https://consult.gov.scot/planning-architecture/proposed-policy-amendments/