Fourth National Planning Framework - position statement: consultation analysis

Introduction

The National Planning Framework is a long-term plan that sets out where development and infrastructure is needed to support sustainable and inclusive growth in Scotland. NPF4 will be the long-term spatial plan for Scotland to 2050 and, by incorporating Scottish Planning Policy, will also set out Scottish Government national planning policies. It will have the status of a 'development plan' for decision making purposes, meaning it will be used for day-to-day decision making on planning applications.

When the review of the current framework (NPF3) began, the aim was that a draft NPF4 would be laid in the Scottish Parliament in September 2020. However, this timetable was revised as a consequence of COVID-19, and it is now anticipated that the draft NPF4 will be laid in Parliament in Autumn 2021 with a full consultation exercise at that time. NPF3 will remain in force until the new framework is approved.

The Position Statement, published in late November 2020, reflects information gathered during the Call for Ideas on NPF4 carried out earlier in the year. It does not make definite proposals but sets out current thinking on the issues that will need to be addressed when preparing NPF4 which, it is expected, will focus on achieving four key outcomes:

• Net-Zero Emissions;
• Resilient Communities;
• A Wellbeing Economy; and
• Better, Greener Places.

Respondents were asked whether they agreed with the current thinking on each of the four key outcomes, and also for views on delivery and the updated impact assessment report.

The consultation paper makes clear that the approach to producing NPF4 will continue to be a collaborative one, that no decisions have yet been made, and that the Scottish Government will continue to work with a wide range of stakeholders to develop the proposals over the coming months.

Number and profile of respondents

In total, 251 respondents made a submission. The majority of respondents were organisations (201 respondents) with 50 individual members of the public also making a submission.

Around 60% of responses were received through the Scottish Government's Citizen Space consultation hub.

Organisational respondents have been allocated to one of 19 categories by the analysis team and the Scottish Government.^[2] A breakdown of the number of responses received by respondent type is set out in Table 1 below and a full list of organisational respondents is provided at Annex 1.

As with any public consultation exercise, it should be noted that those responding generally have a particular interest in the subject area. Therefore, the views they express cannot necessarily be seen as representative of wider public opinion.

Nature of submissions

The submissions received were very diverse, with variation in focus, structure and length. They ranged from relatively brief statements through to very extensive submissions commenting on all the key outcomes and many of the potential policy changes outlined in the Position Statement. Some responses were written predominantly to illustrate how particular projects would support the outcomes set out in the Position Statement.

Where consent has been given to publish the response, it can be accessed at Published responses.

Analysis and reporting

This report presents a question-by-question analysis of the comments made. Some respondents did not make their submission using the consultation questionnaire but submitted their comments in a statement-style format. This content was analysed qualitatively under the most directly relevant consultation question.

For ease of reference, direct wording from the Position Statement in relation to each of the key outcomes and to delivery of the strategy is presented in the report in text boxes, and a list of all the potential policy changes referenced in the Position Statement is included as Annex 2. In addition to the analysis presented in the report, a Technical Annex listing all comments clearly specific to individual policy changes has been developed and shared with the Scottish Government.

A list of abbreviations used in the report is provided at Annex 3.

Before addressing responses on the four key outcomes (Net-Zero Emissions, a Wellbeing Economy, Resilient Communities and Better, Greener Places) the report considers general comments made in relation to the earlier parts of the Position Statement – the section headed "Our future places" and the overview of "A Plan for Scotland in 2050".