Why we should put forward views; National Planning Framework - Scotland

This is how a  Scottish Government web page describes the National Planning Framework;

The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a strategy for the long-term development of Scotland's towns, cities and countryside. The NPF is about shaping Scotland's future and is concerned with how Scotland develops over the next 20 years and how to make that possible. The NPF identifies key strategic infrastructure needs to ensure that each part of the country can develop to its full potential.

A copy of the Second National Planning Framework, NPF2, can be found here




As a newly formed group, APT made one of its first major tasks to raise awareness of the consultation on NPF2 - very few people locally had been aware of the  consultation on the first NPF - by sending an 'APT Alert', an 'Urgent Action Bulletin', to every Community Council across the Highland Council area.  


Here are snippets of what was included in the APT 'Urgent Action Bulletin' in 2008 (A copy of the 'NPF2 Discussion Draft' can be found here):

...The proposals included for the Highlands and Islands in the draft NPF2 will have significant implications with regard to the Local Planning Process.

The National Planning Framework will provide a strong context for development plans and planning decisions.

The second NPF sets out the Scottish Government’s strategic development priorities.  There will be close links to the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan and the investment programmes of public agencies and infrastructure providers.  It is a key element in modernising the planning system.

The Planning etc (Scotland)Act 2006 places the second National Planning Framework (NPF2) on a statutory footing.  There is a commitment to review the document every 4 years.

The publication of the discussion draft is part of the process of engagement and debate on Scotland’s long-term ‘Spatial Development’ to 2030.  It sets a national context for development plans.

APT also indicated in the bulletin that concerns re 'awareness of' and 'consultation on' the NPF2 had arisen locally:

There is concern about:

·         The level of community awareness in some areas regarding the existence of the National Planning Framework;

·         The level of community awareness about the significance of the draft NPF2 with regard to the local planning process.

·         The potential lack of widespread public awareness that the Local Authority are seeking to influence the draft NPF2.

·         The level of community consultation locally on the NPF proposals to date.

Well, I still have concerns, as you will find from the content of future blog posts on the subject of NPF3.