Scottish landowners welcome planning boost for rural areas

Landowners have welcomed proposed changes to Scotland’s planning laws that could enhance development and digital infrastructure in rural areas.

Revisions to the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) were presented in the Scottish parliament on 8 November.

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If the revisions eventually pass through parliament the framework will be used to assess all planning applications made over the next decade.

The framework places a greater onus on the planning system’s role in addressing climate change, enabling nature recovery, according to Scottish government planning minister Tom Arthur.

“The new draft NPF4 signals a turning point for planning. It represents a fundamental change in the way we think about development, and puts tackling the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change at its heart,” said Mr Arthur.

The new approach could mean:

• A shift towards more presumption in favour of rural development, especially to support fragile communities, rural businesses and the environment 
• Greater flexibility on rural development 
• An emphasis on the planning system facilitating community-led resilience measures and wealth building 
• Favourable planning conditions for digital infrastructure in areas with no or low connectivity capacity. 

Flexible approach

Scottish Land and Estates policy adviser Sarah Madden gave the draft framework a cautious welcome.

Ms Madden said the framework indicated a more flexible approach for rural developments and recognised that a one-size-fits-all approach for urban and rural areas had not worked. 

“There is also a shift towards greater presumption in favour for development and, if implemented, it can help with the growth of the rural economy in future years,” she said.  

“The recognition of the planning system’s role in facilitating community-led resilience and wealth building is also very welcome.

“Creating and achieving locally owned visions and goals for development is particularly important for rural communities who know what their areas need to prosper,” Ms Madden added.

“We are also glad that the need for integrated land use – balancing essential development to support fragile communities and rural businesses alongside the necessity to maintain quality agricultural land, peatland and wild land – has been acknowledged,” she added.

But she said that the way high-level principles outlined in the framework were interpreted and implemented in practice were crucial.

“This is something we will monitor as we move forward,” Ms Madden said.