Scotland 2045 - fourth National Planning Framework - draft: consultation

Annex A – NPF4 Outcomes statement

This statement sets out how the Scottish Ministers consider that development will contribute to each of the outcomes identified in Section 3A(3)(c) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

(a) meeting the housing needs of people living in Scotland including, in particular, the housing needs for older people and disabled people

Scottish Ministers consider that development of land supported by the policies and proposals in the NPF will contribute to this outcome by inclusion of a policy on Quality Homes that supports the delivery of high-quality, sustainable homes that meet the needs of people throughout their lives.

In particular, Policy 9 (c) notes that diverse needs should be taken into account across all areas and Policy 9 (f) states that proposals for new homes that improve affordability and choice should be supported and that an equalities led approach to addressing identified gaps in provision should be taken, which could include: accessible, adaptable and wheelchair accessible homes; a range of size of homes such as those for homes for older people; and other specialist groups.

Furthermore, Policy 7: Local Living states that development proposals that are consistent with the principles of 20 minute neighbourhoods should be supported. As part of this, consideration should be given to: affordable housing options, ability to age in place, housing diversity.

(b) improving the health and wellbeing of people living in Scotland

Scottish Ministers consider that development of land supported by the policies and proposals in the NPF will contribute to this outcome by including policies that recognise that the natural environment is fundamental to our health and wellbeing from food growing, clean air and water, to the health and wellbeing benefits we get from being in nature.

Policy 14 notes the importance of Health and Wellbeing.

Built environment policies that support active and healthier lifestyles and encourage better health and wellbeing for everyone include active travel, green infrastructure, and 20 minute neighbourhoods. A policy has been introduced on lifelong health, wellbeing and safety that directs LDPs to tackle health inequalities and set out policies for air quality, noise and community food growing.

(c) increasing the population of rural areas of Scotland

Scottish Ministers consider that development of land supported by the policies and proposals in the NPF will contribute to this outcome by requiring LDP's to set out an appropriate approach to development in areas of pressure and decline and include proposals for future population growth, informed by an understanding of population change over time.

In addition, rural policies support resettling and encourage development that will help to sustain and grow fragile communities providing employment and providing new housing. Development proposals that contribute to the viability, sustainability and diversity of rural economies are supported.

Specifically, Policy 31: Rural Places supports development proposals in rural areas and also makes reference to the importance of digital connectivity. This is reinforced by Policy 23: Digital Infrastructure which will support the delivery of digital infrastructure to support investment and population growth in rural areas.

(d) improving equality and eliminating discrimination

Scottish Ministers consider that development of land supported by the policies and proposals in the NPF will contribute to this outcome by an overarching Policy 4: Human rights and equality which notes that development plans and planning decisions should seek to eliminate discrimination and promote equality and reduce disadvantage.

Further measures identified throughout the draft require action to address equality and discrimination along with a responsibility to consult and engage collaboratively and meaningfully to ensure everyone can engage in local development planning and the development decisions which affect them. A further example, Policy 5: Community wealth building, identifies a need to address economic disadvantage and inequality.

(e) meeting any targets relating to the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases, within the meaning of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, contained in or set by virtue of that Act

Scottish Ministers consider that development of land supported by the policies and proposals in the NPF will contribute to this outcome by placing the global climate emergency at the heart of our strategy which addresses both emissions reduction and adaptation. Policy 2: Climate emergency states that when considering all development proposals significant weight should be given to the Global Climate Emergency.

More generally, on emissions reduction our policies address: localisation and digital infrastructure to reduce the need to travel unsustainably; infrastructure first, energy efficiency and the circular economy to influence building related emissions; reuse of existing buildings, nature-based approaches and negative emissions technologies to support emissions capture and sequestration; electricity generation from renewable sources and support for appropriately emissions abated low carbon fuels to support emissions reduction from the energy needed for business, homes and communities. Our approach supports the green sectors and investment in communities and areas that would most benefit from it in support of a just transition to net zero.

(f) securing positive effects for biodiversity.

Scottish Ministers consider that development of land supported by the policies and proposals in the NPF will contribute to this outcome by ensuring that development secures positive effects for biodiversity, and that our approach to planning is designed to help halt and reverse biodiversity loss and to invest in nature-based solutions, benefiting people and nature.

Policy 3: Nature Crisis states that development plans and proposals that contribute to the enhancement of nature networks should be supported in principle. It also notes that adverse impacts of development proposals on the natural environment should be minimised through careful planning and design and that this should consider the need to reverse biodiversity loss.

The policy position makes clear that proposals for local development should only be supported if they include appropriate measures to enhance biodiversity and that development proposals that would have an unacceptable impact on the natural environment including biodiversity objectives should not be supported.

The aim of securing positive effects for biodiversity is also evident in policies on Blue and Green Infrastructure (Policy 12); Natural Places (Policy 32); and, Trees, Woodland and Forestry (Policy 34).

Q56: Do you agree that the development measures identified will contribute to each of the outcomes identified in Section 3A(3)(c) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997?