Section 1 – National Planning Framework
7.This section inserts new Part 1A into the 1997 Act. New section 3A introduces the requirement for a “National Planning Framework” - a spatial plan which sets out how the Scottish Ministers consider development and use of land in Scotland should occur.
8.New subsection 3A(3) requires the National Planning Framework to contain a statement of priorities and a strategy for the long term spatial development for Scotland. New subsection 3A(4) makes provision for the Framework to be used to designate national developments. Major strategic transport, water and drainage, waste management and energy-related infrastructure projects may fall within this category of development. New section 3A(5) requires the Scottish Ministers to include in the Framework in relation to any designated national development a statement of their reasons for considering that there is a need for such a development. New sections 3A(6) and (7) place a duty on the Scottish Ministers to prepare, publish, review and revise the National Planning Framework at least every 5 years. New subsection 3A(10) places a duty on the Scottish Ministers to prepare and publish a participation statement setting out when and with whom consultation on the preparation or review of the National Planning Framework is likely to take place, and the steps to be taken to involve the public at large.
9.New section 3B prescribes a period of 60 days for Parliamentary consideration of the proposed National Planning Framework.
10.New section 3C requires the Scottish Ministers to lay a copy of the published version of the National Planning Framework before the Scottish Parliament
11.New section 3D places a duty on the Scottish Ministers to exercise their functions of preparing and revising the National Planning Framework with the objective of contributing to sustainable development.
