Planning Bill faces final stage of scrutiny

The final stage of the Planning (Scotland) Bill is set to commence this week with a three-day debate in Holyrood.  

Following the lodging of more than 200 Stage 3 amendments, the Scottish Property Federation (SPF) is pleased to see evidence of cross-party cooperation but remains concerned that a number of last-minute amendments could derail the planning system if passed. 

Miller Mathieson, SPF Chairman, said, “At our annual conference in March, we called for parliament to work together to untangle the Planning Bill after a string of unworkable amendments were passed at Stage 2. 

“We appreciate the time MSPs and officials have since dedicated to recovering this Bill, including the allocation of three days of debate. 

“Efficient and effective planning is crucial for future development and investment in Scotland. It starts with a workable, competitive planning system that unlocks opportunity rather than hindering it.  

“We call for MSPs to bear these implications in mind and agree to return the Bill to its original intention of creating a simplified planning system for Scotland, which focuses on delivering much-needed homes, jobs, and investment.”