Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA): annual review 2023 to 2024

Ministerial Foreword

I am delighted to have assumed portfolio responsibility for planning, and I look forward to working with the team as we tackle our priorities around public service reform, and development delivery. One thing I am already certain about is that planning continues to be absolutely key to how we want our nation, regions and local communities to develop and it has never been more important than it is right now.

Planning is going to remain front and centre in how we plan our journey to net zero over the years ahead, there is a shortage of the people we need to deliver on our ambitions and that’s why our ‘Investing in Planning’ consultation has been so important. We also continue to work with our partners, to act on the recommendations of the Future Planners report to increase the number of new entrants into the planning profession, which can only be a good thing.

The Future Planners work has highlighted that we need to get better at communicating what planning is all about and why what we all do matters: helping address climate change and inequality, protecting our environment, tackling the housing emergency, enabling economic development and creating sustainable communities. The work of DPEA is vital in this as is their work to ensure proportionality and efficiency in the new development planning process, and I encourage others to embrace this. The Chief Planner will also be working with a small stakeholder group later this year to identify and share good practice in proportionate assessments.

National Planning Framework 4 was adopted over a year ago and is now part of the development plan, influencing planning decisions and plan-making across the country. I recently appeared at committee to talk about the impact it has had in its first year and how we will continue to monitor its delivery across Scotland. It is promising to note that the majority of its policies are now being applied in practice, enabling good quality development and supporting investment, while tackling the climate and nature crises. The role of DPEA and the decisions made by them are an important part of this. Whilst I recognise that it is taking time for our system to adapt to NPF4, I am confident that the planning profession as a whole is willing and able to do its part to enable the good quality development that our country needs.

In my relatively short time in post as Planning Minister, I am genuinely proud of what I’ve seen can happen when planning is done well in Scotland.

I would like to congratulate DPEA on another good year.

Ivan McKee

Minister for Public Finance