Planning

Speech by Alison McInnes delivered to The Scottish Parliament on Thu 13th Sep 2007

I commend the previous Administration for developing the first national planning framework and welcome the new Administration's commitment to progressing the second framework.

It is essential that the criteria for identifying which projects will be included in the planning framework be rigorously applied-we have already debated that-because such a designation will take decision making away from local authorities, which should not be done lightly. It must be clearly demonstrated that projects are genuinely of national significance. Therefore, I welcome the assurances that Mr Swinney has given.

Reconciling strategic needs and local sensitivities is difficult. As many members have said, the greater involvement of people in the planning system at an early stage is the way to ensure that our communities trust the planning system. However, successful participation follows groundwork and capacity building. I noted the cabinet secretary's response to the questions that Des McNulty and Christine Grahame asked on good words about consultation, but will that groundwork and capacity building be properly resourced so that our citizens can successfully participate early in the planning process? I commend in particular the well established and respected work of Planning Aid for Scotland. The cabinet secretary might like to take that model forward.