The Town and Country Planning (Masterplan Consent Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 and The Masterplan Consent Area Scheme (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2024: impact assessments

Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA)

Equality Impact Assessment Not Required Declaration

Policy title

The Town and Country Planning (Masterplan Consent Areas) (Scotland) Regulations 2024

The Masterplan Consent Area Scheme (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2024

Which National Outcome(s) does the policy contribute to?

Planning authorities will be able to use Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) as part of a proactive, place-making approach to planning and consenting – enabling the type of development they wish to come forward in their places. MCAs will

contribute to the following national outcomes contained in the National Performance Framework:

• We live in communities that are inclusive, empowered, resilient
• and safe.
• We have a globally competitive, entrepreneurial, inclusive and
• sustainable economy.
• We value, enjoy, protect and enhance our environment.
• We are healthy and active.

Directorate: Division: Team:

Local Government and Communities:

Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division: Transforming Planning

Policy lead responsible for taking the decision

Adam Henry

Please record why you are not carrying out an EQIA and what your justification is for making that decision.

In 2017 we published the Places, People and Planning Consultation which included some recommendations about the use of SPZs which influenced our approach to the provisions within the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.

An EQIA was previously undertaken to support the Planning (Scotland) Bill (which introduced MCAs), and we do not consider that a further EQIA is required for these regulations.

In developing our proposals, the public sector equality duty requires the Scottish Government to pay due regard to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, victimisation, harassment or other unlawful conduct that is prohibited under the Equality Act 2010;
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; and
• foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic.

We do not believe this position has changed based on the proposals to implement MCAs. At this stage, we do not believe there is any indication that a full EQIA is required.

I confirm that the decision to not carry out an EQIA has been authorised by:

Name and job title of Deputy Director (or equivalent)

Fiona Simpson, Chief Planner

Date authorisation given

15/11/2023