Annual report on operation of section 72
142.Subsection (1) of section 73 requires the Scottish Ministers to report to the Scottish Parliament annually on the operation of section 72. The report must include an assessment of whether the requirements placed upon planning authorities have contributed effectively to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from developments.
143.Subsection (2) requires that the fourth and subsequent reports to the Parliament must include an assessment of the continuing need or otherwise for the requirement placed upon planning authorities to include greenhouse gas emissions policies in local development plans. It makes provision for repeal by the Scottish Ministers of section 3F of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and section 73 if, after the fourth and subsequent reports, the Scottish Ministers consider that the requirement is no longer necessary.