Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has stated Scotland's planning system "can do more" following the publication of a review on the process.

In September 2015, an independent panel was appointed to review the system and its findings were published earlier this year in May.

The Scottish Government has now identified 10 "immediate actions" to take which build on the work by the panel, including:

• Extending permitted development rights – where planning permission is not needed - to more types of development

• Strengthening skills and capacity, and consulting on enhanced fees to ensure planning authorities are better resourced to deliver more homes

• Improving planning performance, ensuring users of the system receive a better service

• Introducing pilot simplified planning zones for housing, so that planning permission is granted for housing up front, allowing developments to progress more quickly and flexibly


• Identifying how digital transformation of the planning service can be taken to another level, using tools including the web and 3D visualisations to make information about how our places will evolve over time much easier to access and understand.

Working with local authorities, developers and community groups to develop more detailed proposals for reform, plans are in place to bring a new Planning Bill before the Scottish Parliament in 2017.

In addition, communities will become more actively involved in shaping the future of the places where they live and new and better tools to assist housing delivery.

Minister Stewart said: "Planning affects everyone's lives, from ensuring that we have enough of the right types of homes in the right locations, to driving forward regeneration and supporting business development which provides jobs.

"It is clear from the recommendations of the independent panel, and the feedback from local authorities, developers and communities, that our planning system can do more for Scotland

"I welcome the positive report produced by the panel and am impressed that public and private interests in planning are willing to work together and with government to make changes happen. We must now work together to ensure our planning system is best placed to support economic growth and house-building, whilst protecting and enhancing the quality of life of all our communities.

"We will now develop proposals for further reform of the planning system over the coming months and will bring forward consultation proposals by the end of the year. The review's proposed outcomes – including strong and flexible development plans, more high quality homes and collaboration rather than conflict – are all aims we share."

(LM/CD)