The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has published three new papers on how to transform Scotland's planning system.

Each publication focuses on a specific proposals outlined in the organisation's response to the Government's 'Places, People and Planning' consultation paper, which set out 20 proposals for change in the planning system.

On the role of a statutory Chief Planning Officer (CPO) in Scottish councils, RTPI Scotland believes that the CPO would make sure planning is integrated early on in decisions on investment and policy aimed at driving economic growth and tackling environmental and social challenges.

RTPI Scotland said the planning reform is a "golden opportunity" to adopt a more holistic, corporate approach to planning, ensuring planners are involved in conversations from the outset.

On the proposals to make an infrastructure first approach a reality, the organisation has proposals for a national mechanism, with statutory powers and duties, with responsibility for leading infrastructure planning in Scotland and maintaining a rolling audit of infrastructure pressures and opportunities. RTPI Scotland said an infrastructure fund and levy would then help deliver on the priorities identified through the auditing process.


In addition, RTPI Scotland supports a community right to plan. On making local place plans work, the organisation's paper outlines two scenarios in which the RTPI believes local place plans could help communities to tackle socio-economic inequalities and the challenges that can arise from new major developments.

Stefano Smith, Convenor of RTPI Scotland, said: "As Scottish Government prepares to commence drafting the Bill that could implement far-reaching changes to the planning system, it is vital that we maximise the opportunity for our ideas to shape its contents. We welcome the open approach of the Scottish Government to the review of planning so far, and we hope that they will be receptive to our ideas, furthering the productive and positive relationship that the Institute enjoys with Holyrood."

Speaking about the role of a statutory CPO, Mr Smith continued: "A Chief Planning Officer with the right powers will be able to anticipate and then help deliver the buildings and infrastructure needed to support the ambitions of their colleagues in other departments such as education and economic development, and crucially, from among the wider community.

"There is a precedent for this kind of role, such as Chief Social Workers and Chief Education Officers, to make sure that strategic decisions are collaborative. This would not have to mean new appointments and extra resource pressure to councils."

RTPI Scotland added two further papers on Local Development Plans and housing will be published in the coming weeks.

To view the paper on the role of a statutory Chief Planning Officer, visit here.

To view the paper on making an infrastructure first approach a reality, visit here.

To view the paper on how making local place plans work, visit here.

(LM/MH)