NPF4 call for ideas: analysis of responses - executive summary

Enabling development and investment in our economy

What our economy might look like in 2050

There was broad support for an approach that promotes business and industrial development through sustainable and inclusive economic growth while safeguarding and enhancing the natural and built environments. It was argued that the presumption in favour of sustainable development should remain a component of national planning policy.

The connection was often made between inclusive economic growth and reducing inequality and tackling deprivation and it was noted that sustainable and inclusive prosperity is a central objective of the NPF and one to which all other policies should work. With particular reference to developing in a sustainable way, it was suggested that a whole-systems approach that considers the environmental, social and economic impact of any planning decision should be presumed.

It was thought that the economy in 2050 will look very different as it moves to decarbonise and that NPF4 should set the framework for sustainable investment in Scotland's national, regional and local economies. It was suggested that, for inclusive growth across the country to be achieved, it will be important to prioritise investment in areas where growth lags behind and also to ensure a regional approach is taken to enable economic growth. RSSs were expected to help with this.

One current spatial disparity highlighted was that between east and west. It was reported that economic activity, investment patterns and associated demand for house building, contrasts significantly across Scotland, particularly in terms of an east-west divide across central Scotland. It was suggested that NPF4 should be informed by a revised national economic strategy that considers the disparity of investment and growth between the east and west coast areas of Scotland. Similarly, there was a call for the prioritising of rural and western communities to reduce population shift to the east of the country.

The importance of connecting people to economic opportunities was highlighted, with specific suggestions including directing provision, including of large public sector developments and possibly National Developments, towards areas most in need of an economic boost. Promoting growth corridors as a means of linking hubs of economic activity and generating stronger outputs and improved outcomes for areas experiencing economic challenges was also proposed.

To enable planning authorities, and by extension LDPs, to allocate land which will meet the needs of various economic sectors, it was suggested that NPF4 should set out a process through which business and industrial land audits can be informed by up-to-date market intelligence and robust demand forecasting. Introducing a policy presumption against the loss of economic land to alternative land uses was also proposed. However, it was also suggested that while relevant policies must be prepared to protect existing business parks and premises, there should be flexibility to allow alternative developments if the industry would no longer be in use and the building or business park is unsuitable for any other business use.

Responding to challenges and building resilience

The impact of both Brexit and the current COVID-19 pandemic on Scotland's economy were noted and it was suggested that greater importance be placed on the need to find sustainable investment models and low carbon, secure and rewarding jobs. Domestic supply chains will need to be stronger to ensure future resilience. It was suggested that Brexit brings specific risks to island authorities, including because they benefit currently from high levels of support from a wide range of EU funding initiatives and a high proportion of the island workforce being employed in Brexit-sensitive industries.

Respondents commented on changing working patterns and their implication for the planning system, including meeting the key challenge of ensuring that premises and infrastructure meet changing business needs.

The internet and e-commerce are likely to continue to be a key driver of economic activity, and it was suggested that the trend toward home-working, which was widely seen as likely to be accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis, will lead to changes in requirements for both commercial and domestic properties. It will be important to accommodate the need or preference for increased home or agile working as part of future development and investment. This may require a reconsideration of the size of houses and layout of residential developments as people seek additional space to work from home and there being more of a focus on mixed use developments which offer the potential to live and work in close proximity and which offer flexibility of use depending on demand. The connection was frequently made between changes to working patterns and the need for robust and easily accessible digital infrastructure.

In terms of COVID-19, the potential to support a green recovery, including by maximising the role of nature-based solutions in a new economy and supporting lower carbon lifestyles with the long term benefits they bring, was highlighted. Specific suggestions included focusing on the low carbon, green economy. The potential of low carbon sector businesses was highlighted, including in relation to world-class training and research facilities. In addition to the wider green economy, there were specific references to NPF4 offering the opportunity to create a positive development context for renewables which can help in promoting investment in renewable technologies and development on the ground.

Other sectors identified as offering potential for growth included the agriculture and food industries, leisure and tourism, the blue economy, and the construction sector, including around tackling the skills shortage across the county to undertake energy efficiency measures and retrofitting.