Planning reforms aimed at encouraging the use of brownfield land and the creation of more green space have come into force today.
The Scottish Government says projects aimed at returning former industrial or derelict sites to community use will be more likely to be approved under the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) - the new policy against which planning applications will be assessed for the next decade.
Scotland’s planning minister, Tom Arthur, visited the £4.2m Lochshore development at the former Glengarnock Steelworks in Ayrshire today as the framework came into force.
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The Lochshore scheme will see a former heavy industry site that closed in 1985 transformed into parkland, including facilities for community sports. The Scottish Government supported the Glengarnock development through its Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.
Mr Arthur said: “The Scottish Government has supported this transformation from a derelict site which was holding back development in North Ayrshire into a significant new visitor attraction and sports facility.
“Our reforms represent a turning point for planning, a strong signal of support for healthier communities and prosperous local economies.
“They can help promote local renewal at sites across Scotland in line with the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.
“This framework gives local planners across the country the green light to build the fairer, greener Scotland we want to see to tackle climate change and benefit future generations.”
Policies in NPF4 also aim to enable more renewable energy generation and also aim to help regenerate city and town centres while restricting some out-of-town retail and drive-through developments.
It also aims to support the delivery of good-quality, affordable homes in neighbourhoods where people can easily access shops, schools and workplaces within a 20-minute walk or cycle ride.
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