Actions to help planning authorities will increase the speed of
approvals, deliver more new homes and grow the number of
planners.
A new Housing Planning Hub will increase the rate at which homes
with planning permission are delivered, stimulating Scotland's
housing supply and supporting economic growth. Three times the
number of current student bursaries will also be made available
to encourage more future planners and address staff shortages.
On average 29,000 homes have been given planning permission in
Scotland every year [Competition and Markets Authority -
Housebuilding market study],
more than the 25,000 industry experts are calling for. The
Housing Planning Hub will tackle the reasons for delays, which
include waits on decisions for major developments, lengthy
negotiations of section 75 agreements, funding issues, or policy
requirements to address issues such as flooding or biodiversity.
Public Finance Minister outlined the actions to
Parliament today. He said:
“Planning has not created the housing emergency, but it can help
us to find solutions to the challenges we are facing.
“The Scottish Government is focused on working with partner
organisations to identify how our planning system can help to
provide these solutions.
“This decisive and properly targeted action, based on evidence,
will provide more homes and better places for people to live
in.”
Background
- The Housing Planning Hub will be operational in early 2025.
This will complement the Planning Hub for Hydrogen developments
announced as part of the Programme for Government in September -
Boosting Scotland's planning
system
- The costs and staffing of the Housing Planning Hub will be
met by the Scottish Government. The Hub will see officials
working collaboratively with local authorities and industry
partners where there is mutual agreement.
- The 2025/26 bursaries will be available for
post-graduate study at the Planning Schools in Heriot-Watt,
Dundee or Glasgow Universities. Access to internships and
industry placements will also be facilitated by the Royal Town
Planning Institute (RTPI).
