Plans by the Scottish Government to strengthen and simplify its planning process have been welcomed by the industry.

The Government has set out 10 "immediate actions" to be taken in response 'http://www.buildscotland.co.uk/construction-news/216276/scotland-s-planning-system-can-do-more-stewart' TARGET = '_NEW'>to a report by an independent planning review panel on the system, which includes the delivery of more homes.

A White Paper is now due to be published for consultation in autumn/winter 2016, with the view to bring forward a Planning Bill in 2017.

Homes for Scotland's (HfS) Head of Planning, Tammy Adams, said the industry is pleased to see the Government "maintain the momentum" previously made by the panel, which included 48 recommendations for changes to be made to the planning process.

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"The programme that has now been outlined provides an excellent opportunity for HFS and other key stakeholders to work collaboratively with the Scottish Government to ensure this next set of planning reforms achieves real results," she said.

"For us, the over-arching priority is clearly on ensuring we can fully meet the need and demand for new homes of all tenures across Scotland. That requires a planning system which prioritises and enables the delivery of significantly more homes on the ground, not just on paper. The 'immediate actions' could provide a good start on that, if we get the details right.

"Looking ahead to the consultation on the White Paper later this year, we are particularly keen to see what detail will be added to the proposal for a new approach to planning for and delivering infrastructure, and the welcome but undefined hook for "new tools to assist housing delivery". We would particularly welcome early discussions on these very important topics."

Pam Ewen, Immediate Past Convenor RTPI Scotland, added: "We are pleased to see the Scottish Government building on the momentum of the independent planning review. It is especially encouraging to see our objectives, highlighted in our evidence to the review, strongly reflected in the Minister's aspirations for a reformed planning system.

"The Scottish Government clearly shares our ambition for a pro-active and delivery focused planning system, which results in the high quality homes and infrastructure that Scotland needs."

(LM/MH)