Airports, Roads and Railways and 'National Development' status for the Major Roads, University Campus, Airport Business Park and 'Tornagrain' and so much more

The post title features some of the points made  in the Highland Council's response to the Scottish Government's Consultation on the Third National Planning Framework.  There are some huge issues and major principles  which deserve consideration so I hope that you will read on... 

The responses can be found in an Appendix to the Report linked here

Here are some extracts from the NPF3 response which drew my attention and note the use of the term, ' to facilitate developments through the consenting process':

5.1. ...Emphasis should also be given to the growing recreational potential of the Caledonian Canal as a destination for boaters, walkers, cyclists and paddlers. This area should be considered a key national asset and be mapped as such. 

Question 11

6.4. Other large scale projects, for example the new Beechwood Campus in Inverness and 
Inverness Airport Business Park/Tornagrain new town could be included as national 
developments.

Strategic Road Improvements 

7.1. The Highland Council, along with a number of other affected local authorities, regional transport partnerships and Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority promoted dualling of the A96; dualling of the A9 between Perth and Inverness; A9 improvements between Inverness and Thurso and A82 improvements as national developments. NPF3 does not identify any road improvements as proposed national developments. The Highland Council, along with the authorities listed above are 
disappointed that these key road improvement projects have not been identified as proposed national developments and continues to press for their inclusion as national developments for the reasons described below. 

7.2. The Assessment of Proposed National Developments Report states that these strategic road projects are not identified as national developments due to many of them having already been identified in the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Plan. It is appreciated that for the A9 and A96 there is a Ministerial commitment for the dualling of these roads to be delivered within a specified time frame and a level of funding has been committed. However, for the most part, these projects are not committed in land use terms as they are not identified in development plans and do not have planning permission or other required consents. It is therefore considered that there would be significant merit in designating these roads projects for the purpose that national developments are designated for – to facilitate developments through the consenting process. Through designating the dualling of the A9 and A96 as national developments this would prevent the principle being debated during the consenting process. We are aware of a number of other roads projects that have been significantly delayed due to hold ups during the consenting process. As explained in our submission to the ‘Call for National Developments’ The Highland Council, along with several other relevant public bodies consider the dualling of the A9 and A96 would bring benefits and opportunities would be achieved by this upgrade: economic growth; improved road safety; improved journey times and reliability; improved access to tourism and recreation sites and improved links to pedestrian, cycling and public transport facilities. (APTSec highlight)

8. Areas of Coordinated Action

Area 2: Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth 

8.2. The Highland Council also welcomes the continued identification of Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth as an Area for Co-ordinated Action. As stated, it is an area identified for major change and investment. The specific, additional reference to West Link is welcomed but this should perhaps be broadened to include other strategic, Inverness City, transport improvements. For example the STPR and IIP includes an A9/A96 connection improvement as mentioned in section, we feel should be given greater empahsis. All these strategic City transport improvements are to facilitate sustainable economic growth without compromising placemaking objectives. For example, West Link will allow the creation of new communities in the city whilst reducing city centre congestion and environmental impacts.

[The PEDC  will be asked to officially confirm the Council's NPF3 Consultation Response at its meeting next week, alongside also confirming the Council's response to the parallel consultation on Scottish Planning Policy.]