Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group minutes: 27 August 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Fiona Simpson, Scottish Government (joint Chair)
• Tony Rose, Scottish Futures Trust (joint Chair)
• Susan Campbell, Scottish National Investment Bank
• David Cowan, Scottish Government
• Martin McKay, Clyde Gateway
• Iain Docherty, Stirling University
• John Hamilton, Winchburgh Developments
• Kat White, Scottish Government
• Soren Jensen, Infrastructure Transparency
• Hamish Trench, Scottish Land Commission
• Lorna Aird, Scottish Government
•  Lynne Ward, Scottish Futures Trust
• Greg Walker, Scottish Government
• Jasmine Hood, Scottish Government
• Natalia Zalewska Lopes, Scottish Government

Speakers

• Karlene Doherty DTAS
• Jean Waddie, Scottish Government

Apologies     

• Ailsa Raeburn, Community Land Scotland
• Richard Ballantyne, British Ports
• Francesca Osowska, NatureScot
• Pam Ewen, Heads of Planning Scotland
• Pauline Smith, Development Trust Association Scotland
• Sara Thiam, Prosper
• Rachel Skinner, WSP
• Jane Wood, Homes for Scotland
• Scott Mathieson, Scottish Power Energy Networks
• Gareth Hislop, Scottish Power Energy Networks
•  John Trower, Optimity

Items and actions

Minutes and actions of previous meeting

Minutes and actions of the previous meeting were discussed. It was noted that the templates had been circulated, and all actions had been followed up on, with updates on the actions on rural and data mapping being covered in the following agenda item.

Action on community benefit, rural infrastructure paper – question from Hamish Trench (HT) on whether that had been taken forward. Fiona Simpson (FS) noted that the agreed action was to potentially tie it into an upcoming Chief Planner letter.

There were no further comments, amendments or additional points on the minutes or templates.

• secretariat to follow up on community benefit and rural infrastructure and update PIPAG in due course

Funding and Finance Short Life Working Groups (SLWG) (Winchburgh)

The SLWG work has concluded with recommendations focused on (i) the future use guarantees and (ii) wider issues in relation to supporting Development planning and delivery.  During the time the SLWG was active two new initiatives commenced: co-ordination by the Scottish Government Financial Management (SGFM) team with a focus on budget pressure, fiscal outlook and tools for stimulating investment; and the Housing Investment Taskforce. 

Given the momentum behind that Taskforce, it was considered best to pass the work of the SLWG in relation to (ii) above to the Taskforce so it could be built on more effectively. The work of the taskforce in relation to (i) would be taken forward by the SGFM initiative.

Data

It was noted that there was a lot of work going on in relation to place, planning and infrastructure data but a lack of clarity and visibility across the various initiatives and programmes. In order to identify an appropriate role for PIPAG, the Chairs have convened a scoping meeting with a number of interested parties (both within Government and out) to establish a common understanding what is being done in this space and what if any additional collaboration is needed. The group is meeting on 18 September, and any suggestions for the role of PIPAG will be reported back to the core group.

Rural housing

Tony Rose noted conversations outwith meetings on this, and the same view has been shared. A paper has been drafted seeking to identify the different initiatives happening in government, with a view to pull together interested parties to share understanding of the work being done and identifying any gaps in work.

It was noted that updates from the two meetings on data and rural housing would be shared and discussed in between meetings.

Susan Campbell offered to discuss next steps once the paper on rural housing was complete.

• secretariat to report back to PIPAG on rural housing and data before the next meeting

Context setting/Vacant and Derelict Land (VDL) Task Force summary and update

FS welcomed and introduced the three guest speakers who are delivering presentations and updates on ongoing work with VDL. The core PIPAG group were prompted to consider the role of PIPAG throughout the considerations and challenges presented by each speaker and to consider what specific role PIPAG can play in supporting long-term solutions. The key output from the discussions were captured in the case study template, as normal.

Scottish Land Commission (SLC) summary and update

HT provided a strategic overview of SLC’s work on VDL. He gave a summary of the report by Ryden. He noted the more supportive policy context for bringing VDL back into use, and significant delivery actions such as the Scottish VDL hub, community-led regeneration and the VDL Investment Programme.

Ryden identified positive (downwards) trends in the number of VDL sites and good progress. A good number of “Stuck Sites”, the most problematic sites, were found to have been included in the reuse of sites. HT noted that there is some nuance looking at the number of sites being reused compared to the land area overall.

A main barrier to reuse was cost, and a number of areas that required more work and focus were identified as finance, embedding appraisal, support for community-led regeneration and responsible business conduct. However, HT summarised that a positive picture was found overall.

A constructive group discussion followed which firstly focussed on the treatment and resolution of “Stuck Sites”, and the analysis of patient commercial capital and its potential role in the unlocking of sites.

• secretariat to write up the summary in a template and circulate to the group

• HT to share Ryden report and secretariat to circulate to group

Clyde Gateway (CG) deep dive

Martin McKay (MM) delivered a deep dive, case study presentation on CG. He gave an overview of the area that CG covers and the infrastructure within there, and the structure of the organisation, which operates as a charity with a trading subsidiarity.

The session firstly provided an overview of the challenges and constraints faced by the CG area, including declining population and a considerable proportion of Scotland’s VDL sites. MM explained CG’s three objectives; sustainable place transformation, increase economic activity, and develop community capacity.

CG’s work has included increasing educational attainment, improving health infrastructure and outcomes, and building community capacity through supporting community organisation.

MM demonstrated the progress of CG against indicators including increased population, jobs and data point, however, he noted there was still scope to meet goals, highlighting the need for long term thinking.

MM outlined the Design Guide core values. Two case studies were explored, in Dalmarnock and Rutherglen, and examples of further interventions.
A short group discussion proceeded, covering housebuilding and the implications of net zero requirements.

• secretariat to write up template on the case study and circulate

• group to think about the gaps in the case studies and advise what PIPAG and Government could be doing

Development Trust Association Scotland (DTAS) and Vacant and Derelict Land (VDL) Project (community perspective)

Karlene Doherty (KD) gave a presentation on the VDL project she led on for DTAS in partnership with SLC, which ran from 2020-22 and followed on from the previously mentioned report by Ryden. It focused on developing community-led, practical approaches to tackling VDL sites.

KD summarised some of the key outcomes of the project, such as numerous vacant sites and buildings being progressed through the community and strengthened community partnership.

Some discussion points were suggested around ensuring that action to smaller sites remains a priority, and the need to categorize VDL sites based on their readiness for investment.

A group discussion followed with some questions on security of business ventures.

• secretariat to write up case study on the template and circulate

Any other business

Infrastructure levy update

Jean Waddie updated the group on the discussion paper on an infrastructure levy and reminded the group of the call for ideas and thoughts via this paper. The discussion paper is open until the end of September. Concerns from the development industry in particular have been gathered, but they are shortly discussing this with planning authorities.

• secretariat to recirculate discussion paper for awareness

Annual report update

This was followed by a brief update on the Annual Report from FS, with a note that the report should aim to be action-focussed. Through correspondence a draft outline will be shared for thoughts.

There was a call for ideas for the 2025 work programme. FS suggested an in person meeting next year and suggested the possibility of some further focus on  Infrastructure Investment.

• secretariat to circulate draft annual report in advance of next meeting

• group to consider areas for focus for the 2025 work programme

Closing remarks

FS thanked all guest speakers for their informative presentations and their valuable contribution to the meeting. The group were encouraged to reflect on the added value the PIPAG could support

• group to provide further reflections and feedback on where PIPAG as a group can add value in relation to VDL land and regeneration

• secretariat to confirm timings, location and agenda for the next PIPAG meeting scheduled for 10 December 2024