A new Housing Planning Hub is set to accelerate the delivery of new homes in Scotland by streamlining the planning process. The initiative aims to address delays caused by factors such as lengthy decision-making for major developments, complex negotiations, and funding issues.

In addition to the Housing Planning Hub, the Scottish Government will triple the number of student bursaries available to attract more aspiring planners and address the industry's skills shortage.

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Despite an annual average of 29,000 homes gaining planning permission in Scotland, industry experts have called for an increase to 25,000 completions per year. The new measures are intended to bridge the gap between planning permissions and actual construction.

Outlining the actions to Parliament, Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee, said: "Planning has not created the housing emergency, but it can help us to find solutions to the challenges we are facing.

"The Scottish Government is focused on working with partner organisations to identify how our planning system can help to provide these solutions.

"This decisive and properly targeted action, based on evidence, will provide more homes and better places for people to live in."