Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: programme pipeline update - March 2022
This pipeline update provides information relating to the delivery of key major infrastructure programmes included at Annex D of our Infrastructure Investment Plan published in February 2021 and other ongoing key major infrastructure programmes included within previous updates.
Sector: Planning / Land reform
Programme name: Digital Planning
Programme description: Development of a new, open-access, digital planning system to attract future investment, increase community participation and support place-making in Scotland.
Estimated total investment: £35 million.
How is programme being funded: Capital funded.
Programme delivery timetable: 2021-2026.
Latest programme progress: The 5-year programme was launched in March 2021 and has now entered delivery phase. Programme governance arrangements have been established to support delivery.
Development of the 'digital front-door to Planning' – the Planning Gateway to replace the current online portal is now underway with the development of a new payment function and a shift to an innovative, smart process which makes better use of data. In collaboration with the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), we are establishing a digital skills programme for Planners with the development of a digital skills capability action plan prioritising improvement actions. The Placebuilder digital engagement tool is now being rolled out enabling more inclusive engagement which will particularly benefit people in areas of deprivation to get involved in decisions about their places.
Contribution to economic development: An economic impact analysis of the programme undertaken by the RTPI estimated up to of £200 million in economic benefits for users of the planning system. This included £20.4 million savings to local authorities on costs of introducing the Planning Act. Large housebuilders are estimated to save between £25k-£30k per site and local housebuilders £1.5k per site. The programme has the potential to create 1,600 jobs in construction and capacity to generate income of £1.6 million per annum over 10 years.
Contact for public enquiries: email: Graeme.Walker@gov.scot
Programme name: Land reform
Programme description: Capital funding for the Scottish Land Fund (at £8 million per year) and costs for building new Register of Persons Holding a Controlled
Interest in Land (£3 million).
Estimated total investment: £43 million.
How is programme being funded: Capital funded.
Programme delivery timetable: 2021-2026.
Latest programme progress: The Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land (RCI) is being built by Registers of Scotland and became operational on 1 April 2022. There is now a one-year transitional period before criminal offences come into force for non-compliance. In addition, we are committed to doubling the Scottish Land Fund over the course of this Parliamentary session.
Contribution to economic development: The Scottish Land Fund enables community groups to purchase assets within their own community and to deliver services to that local community. Whether it is bringing an unused asset back into productive use or ensuring that an existing one continues to be used and developed further, communities taking control of local assets helps to build local community wealth and contributes to the wider economic benefit as a result.
The RCI will improve transparency of who makes decisions about land and land use in Scotland, and gives communities information that can help them engage with landowners and managers, and influence how land in their local area is used.
Contact for public enquiries: Scottish Land Fund email: crtb@gov.scot / Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land email: LandReform@gov.scot
Contact
Email: stuart.mckeown@gov.scot
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