National Planning Framework 4: explanatory report
This explanatory report accompanies our National Planning Framework 4 revised draft. It provides a summary of the representations made through our consultation on Draft National Planning Framework 4 and sets out the changes made in response to those reviews.
Part 4 – Delivering Our Spatial Strategy
Summary of representations
A number of respondents commented that a delivery plan would have been helpful to support the Draft NPF4. The importance of the delivery strategy was highlighted, including to provide confidence to all sectors involved in the built environment and to demonstrate that the relevant actions, mechanisms, and responsibilities are clear.
It was agreed that a collaborative approach that aligns interests will play a central role in delivering the spatial strategy. It was described as a crucial aspect of how a radical and ambitious strategy can be effectively delivered by the practitioners tasked with management and delivery.
There was broad agreement that monitoring will be an essential part of the NPF process, and also that it will be a significant and challenging undertaking. In terms of overall responsibilities, it was suggested that monitoring of NPF4 should be led and undertaken by the Scottish Government as the coordinating authority.
Overview of approach
A delivery programme has been published alongside the Revised Draft, which sets out how the priorities in NPF4 align with wider investment programmes. This will be a live document, to be updated as delivery progresses, supported by governance arrangements.
| Issue | Change | Reason/Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Part 4 is short on detail and does not give confidence moving forward with delivering NPF4. Delivery plan required and clarity on SG role in delivery. | Detail on delivery actions/role of SG are set out in the Delivery Programme, published alongside the revised NPF4. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| Further detail sought on delivery of National Developments. | Reference to delivery of NDs is set out in Delivery Programme. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| Clarity on where funds exist and how they align with NPF4. Detail required on aligning resources and plans, programmes and strategies (e.g. IIP/ STPR2). | Reference to NPF4 funding and aligning resources is set out in the Delivery Programme. | To respond to Committee (LGHP) and stakeholder views. |
| Financing and delivering a net-zero Scotland. | Reference to NPF4 funding and aligning resources is set out in the Delivery Programme. | To respond to Committee (NZET). The delivery of NPF4 policy (which supports the transition to net zero) is supported by a Delivery Programme which includes a set of actions to progress co-ordination and alignment or funding/resources. |
| NPF4 needs to set out or be accompanied by a clear Capital and Revenue Investment Programme. | Reference to the relationship of NPF4 within broader SG prioritisation and capital spending plans is set out in the Delivery Programme. | To respond to Committee (LGHP) and stakeholder views. |
| Clarity on a financial strategy for front funding and cost recovery, use of Infrastructure Levy and link to planning obligations. | The Delivery Programme contains detail on the funding position for NPF4. Infrastructure Levy and review of developer contributions are part of the wider planning reform work programme. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| Need leadership from Scottish Government for national agencies to work with planning authorities. | Expectations around (and need for) collaborative working are set out in Delivery Programme. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| Call for a new national infrastructure company/ delivery agency to be established. | No change. | Out with scope of NPF4. |
| Respondents sought opportunity to be involved in Delivery Programme. | The Delivery Programme sets out the governance arrangements for NPF4 which includes engagement. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| There is a need to maximise the opportunities presented through the digital planning programme. | The Actions Table in the Delivery Programme sets out the key actions to be progressed to support the delivery of NPF4. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| Clarity on how the Digital Planning Strategy will support the implementation of NPF4. | Details of the digital transformation programme are set out in Delivery Programme. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| How land value capture will interact with NPF4 and role of proactive land assembly. | No change. | Part of wider planning reform work programme. |
| NPF4 to state that growth deals should reflect spatial strategies. | Reference to City Region and Regional Growth deals in Delivery Programme. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| NPF4 should address the importance of healthcare-related infrastructure. | Revised NPF4 Policy 18 'Infrastructure First' relates to infrastructure planning, which includes healthcare. See Glossary. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| Lack of clarity around the relationship between NPF4 and Regional Spatial Strategies. | Revised NPF4 new Annex A 'How to Use this Document' covers relationship between plans. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
| How the various components of the LDP would interact with the content of NPF4. | ||
| Need to highlight the importance of Local Place Plans and the need for engagement with older people. | ||
| How NPF4 will be introduced to the planning system and how it will interact with live planning applications. | Revised NPF4 new Annex A 'How to Use this Document' covers interaction with planning applications. | To respond to stakeholder views. We will also commence the appropriate section(s) of the 2019 Act which makes NPF4 part of the statutory development plan |
|
Details relating to skills and resourcing of the system are in the Delivery Programme. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
|
The approach to skills/resourcing is outlined in Delivery Programme. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
|
Initial actions for monitoring and evaluation are set out in Delivery Programme. | To respond to stakeholder views. |
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Details on how the Digital Planning Transformation Programme will support the National Planning Framework are set out in the Delivery Programme. | To respond to Committee (NZET) |
Contact
Email: Chief.Planner@gov.scot
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