An independent panel established to review the Scottish Planning System have set up 48 recommendations for a "simpler, much more responsive system".

The panel was made up of Crawford Beveridge, Petra Biberbach of Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) and John Hamilton of the Scottish Property Federation.

In its report, 'Empowering Planning to Deliver Great Places', the panel proposed new ways of working to replace "conflict with collaboration", recommending fresh thinking on housing with ideas that "increase flexibility and stimulate investment".

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The panel said both planners and councils need to be bolder in tackling future challenges, while also calling "fundamental rethink" of the entire system.

RTPI Scotland has broadly welcomed the reports findings, saying it is pleased the panel have taken a "positive approach aimed at empowering planning to deliver great places".

Nick Wright, Convenor of RTPI Scotland, said: "At the outset we said that the review could be a real opportunity to maximise the potential of the planning system and the Review Panel should be commended in taking this approach.  Although there is still work to be done in working out the details of recommendations we are delighted that the Panel has taken account of our views.

"We asked for the future planning system to be seen and used by national and local governments as an integral part of their work - frontloaded, outcome and delivery focussed, and adequately resourced to deliver the key components of the document."

(LM/CD)