Development plan amendment regulations: consultation response summary

Question 5

Question 5A)

To what extent do you agree that a copy of the proposed amendment should be laid in the Scottish Parliament during the consultation period?

There were 44 responses to Question 5A, which have been set out by respondent type in Table 5 below.

Most of the responses (a combined 75%) were supportive of the proposal. This included all of the professional representative bodies who responded. Some responses remained neutral, whilst a few opposed this.

Question 5B)

Where applicable, please give reasons for your answer.

27 respondents provided further comment at Question 5B.

Summary /Themes

Almost all of the further comments were supportive of a proposed amendment to NPF being laid in parliament.

The only theme arising from the responses was transparency, with respondents broadly agreeing that the proposed requirement to lay a copy of the proposed amendment in the Scottish Parliament helped ensure it was considered in an open and transparent manner.

There was also a general consensus across responses that this proposed requirement would ensure a consistent approach was taken with regards to the scrutiny of any amendment to NPF in relation to the preparation or full review of the NPF.

The respondent who disagreed with the proposal did so on the basis that requiring full parliamentary consideration may not be proportionate for minor amendments and suggested this be devolved to a relevant committee for approval.

One respondent did not answer question 5A but responded to 5B, stating that they strongly agreed. They went on to suggest that in addition to laying the proposed amendment and associated justification, proportionate impact assessment reporting should also be required.