National Planning Framework: Position Statement

Closed 19 Feb 2021

Opened 26 Nov 2020

Contact

0131 244 6302

scotplan@gov.scot

Feedback updated 19 Nov 2021

We asked

We sought views on the National Planning Framework 4: Position Statement, It set out the Scottish Government's thinking on the issues that would need to be addressed when preparing Scotland's fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).  It drew on the ideas and evidence we received from a broad range of people and organisations through our early engagement programme.

 

A public consultation took place between November 2020 and February 2021.

You said

The views of stakeholders and the public were sought on the Position Statement. 

 

Over 250 responses were received through the consultation. There was broad support for:

  • the general direction of NPF4 and the ambition for climate change to be the overarching priority;
  • embedding UN Sustainable Development Goals and Scotland's national outcomes;
  • the four key outcomes set out in the Position Statement (Net-Zero Emissions; Resilient Communities; A Wellbeing Economy; and Better, Greener Places); and
  • a focus on the Place Principle.

 

Craigforth was commissioned to undertake an independent analysis of responses.  The report presents the findings from the public consultation and explains the methodology that was used to analyse responses. Where permission to publish has been provided, the consultation responses are now available to view online.

We did

The responses, together with the analysis report, have informed and shaped the Draft NPF4 which was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 10 November 2021. The Draft NPF4 is subject to consultation until 31 March 2022. Further details of the consultation, and resources to support the consultation, can be found at www.transformingplanning.scot.

 

Once approved by the Scottish Parliament and adopted by the Scottish Ministers (expected during 2022), the plan will become part of the statutory development plan and will directly influence planning decisions.  

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

The Position Statement sets out the Scottish Government's current thinking on the issues that will need to be addressed when preparing Scotland's fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).  It draws on the ideas and evidence we received from a broad range of people and organisations through our early engagement programme. 

We currently expect that NPF4 will focus on achieving the following four key outcomes:

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

The Position Statement considers these outcomes in turn and sets out in more detail the main issues that were raised during our early engagement; our emerging thinking on spatial priorities; and the potential changes to national planning policies that we are considering.

Why your views matter

The Position Statement is an opportunity for the Scottish Government to set out how our earlier Call for Ideas is likely to influence the preparation of draft NPF4 ahead of formal public consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny in 2021.  This is an additional stage in the preparation process that provides a further opportunity to influence the direction of travel ahead of the preparation of draft NPF4.

Futher information on the National Planning Framework and the Call for Ideas can be accessed through the links below. 

Read the Position Statement.

What happens next

This position statement sets out our current thinking, drawing on the ideas and evidence we received from a broad range of people and organisations through our early engagement programme.  We very much see this statement and any conversations that follow as an additional opportunity in the process, between our earlier Call for Ideas and the formal consultation with parliamentary process to come next year, to advance thinking towards the draft NPF4.   Whilst we have intended that the Position Statement provides an idea of the direction of travel, there is still a lot of work to be done as we continue to shape and refine our thinking before we set out a full draft NPF4 for further consultation and scrutiny. 

Interests

  • Building and Planning