Mountain Areas; 'Islands' surrounded by Windfarms...

Well, here is the first newspaper item that I have picked up arising from the publication of the Draft ( Main Issues) NPF3:


'...What has been described as the UK's first map of wild land has been published by Scottish Natural Heritage.

...The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) said the map could lead to mountain areas becoming "islands" surrounded by wind farms on nearby land not designated as wild.

...The map forms part of the Scottish government's new National Planning Framework (NPF3) and draft Scottish Planning Policy (SPP).

Article here

'NPF3 and SPP Public Consultation Live'

News just in from Scottish Government:

'Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government & Planning, launches National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) & draft Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) today.

 This is followed by a 12-week period of public consultation, ending on Tuesday 23 July 2013.

Questionnaires are available to provide a response to the consultation.

Questionnaire - consultation questions for National Planning Framework

Questionnaire - consultation questions for Scottish Planning Policy

Keep up to date with updates by following us on twitter

@NPF3Team

@ScotGovPlanning '

Government says 'Tornagrain' not to be designated as 'National' in NPF3

4.46 Several large-scale national developments have been proposed by developers and local authorities. These include the suite of Sustainable Communities Initiative projects (Map 22) and some other housing development and regeneration proposals. Meeting our housing requirements will need delivery of a great many development proposals, from small to large, right across Scotland. Given the scale of this requirement, we do not think it is appropriate for NPF3 to single out for priority any particular developments on the sole or principal basis of their contribution to meeting housing need. We do not, therefore, propose to designate these proposals as national developments in NPF3. (APTSec highlight)

'Map 22' shows 'Tornagrain' and 'An Camas Mor' as among the 11 SSCI projects.


[4.46 is an extract from page 51, 'Scotland’s Third National Planning Framework: Main Issues Report and Draft Framework'

'West Link', 'Option 6', now a key political issue.

Well, it is in black and white, 'Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth' is identified in the 'Draft' (doubling as a 'Main Issues Report') for the 'Third National Planning Framework' as being an 'Area of Coordinated Action'.

What does this mean?  Well according to the introductory paragraph in Chapter 6 of Draft NPF3:

...NPF2 set out regional spatial perspectives to guide implementation of the national strategy in different parts of Scotland.  NPF3 will develop this further by focussing on areas where major change is happening or anticipated in different parts of the country. These areas were identified in NPF2, but the narrative surrounding them has been updated to reflect the newly emerging spatial strategy. The following paragraphs summarise main issues for each of these areas. They will be developed further in the Proposed Framework.

Full Document here

So, what is reflected in the, '...newly emerging spatial strategy' for Inverness?  

What 'key issues' have been singled out?  

Amongst the 5 'issues' called out, this, was the one that caught my eye 

...Recognition of the role of Inverness as the Highland capital, and the key developments, 

such as the West Link, that will support this in the future. (APTSec highlight)

What is so special about the 'West Wink' I hear you ask?  What about other transport improvements in NPF3?  

Well, NPF3 identifies the need for airport improvements - including Inverness Airport.  Then, there is some general discussion around railway improvements  (mentions Highland mainline and Aberdeen to Inverness line) and road transport (A9 and A96 dualling) and there is mention of various Ports around the country (Ardersier and Nigg locally).

There doesn't seem to be any specific mention of a 'Nairn Bypass' or of completion of the 'eastern' end of the TLR around the Inverness Campus.

But what about the 'West Link'?

Well THC's PED Committee 'highlighted' the 'West Link' for inclusion in NPF3 (Link to Report here, third page) back in November 2012 alongside some other areas previously included in NPF2.   Surprisingly, in the Committee Report, there is no specific mention a bypass for Nairn or of completion of the eastern end of the TLR in terms of what THC was putting forward for inclusion in NPF3.  The submission was duly made to the Scottish Government.  

The Highland Council had already confirmed the 'preferred' route for the Inverness 'West Link' Road as being 'Option 6' back in March 2012.

It is difficult not to conclude that Highland Council will now be pulling out all the stops to get Option 6 of the 'West Link' through planning as easily and efficiently as possible, and inclusion in the Third National Planning Framework of the term 'West Link', in my view, will certainly aid that purpose.

In the Words of the Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government and Planning:

"...The National Planning Framework is a long-term strategy for the spatial development of Scotland...This is an important document, one that will influence development plans across the country and provide leadership to deliver change...By providing a clear vision, it should also be a document that is used to guide future development and decisions..."

The newly published 'Scottish Planning Policy; Consultation Draft' states that the NPF:


"...provides a statutory framework for Scotland’s long-term spatial development. The NPF sets out the Scottish Government’s spatial development priorities for the next 20 to 30 years..."

IT IS THEREFORE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THOSE WITH A VIEW MAKE IT KNOWN THROUGH THE CONSULTATION ON NPF3 AND SEEK CLARITY ON THE ISSUE OF A 'WEST LINK'.  

Note: No where is the term 'bypass' used.

This is it Folks!!! NPF3 and Planning Policy Consultations start tomorrow

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) Consultation

Start date 30/04/2013 - End date 23/07/2013

The SPP is a statement of Scottish Government policy on how nationally important land use planning matters should be addressed across the country. A review of the SPP was announced in September 2012. The SPP Consultation Draft has been informed by a period of pre-draft engagement from October 2012 to early January 2013.

National Planning Framework 3: Main Issues Report consultation Start date 30/04/2013 - End date 22/07/2013 The National Planning Framework (NPF) provides a framework for the spatial development of Scotland. The third NPF (NPF3) will set out the Government's development priorities over the next 20-30 years. The Main Issues Report sets out the Government's preferred option plus reasonable alternatives. The consultation paper seeks the public's views. National Planning Framework 3 Scottish Planning Policy Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report Start date 30/04/2013 - End date 22/07/2013 A consultation on the Environmental Report covering both the consultation draft Scottish Planning Policy and the National Planning Framework 3: Main Issues Report and prepared under the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. It seeks the public's views on the assessment of the potential impact of the documents on Scotland's environment.