Whilst planning matters in Scotland are wholly devolved to Holyrood, and Labour has no power to change the status quo until after the 2026 Scottish Government election at the earliest, the forthcoming changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in England are expected to create significant debate here.
In light of the Scottish Government declaring a ‘Housing Emergency’ on 15 May this year, pressure is likely to increase for amendments to be made to our National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) in respect of housing policy.
The revised NPPF in England will strengthen the presumption in favour of development that creates sustainable economic growth, a key material consideration that was dropped from NPF4 in Scotland compared to previous planning policy. Recently, that has led to other arguably less significant considerations ruling out several housing proposals at appeal in Scotland.
Changes to planning policy in England will also target the ‘grey belt’ for housing, i.e. previously developed poor quality land in greenbelt areas. This presents an opportunity for Scottish Government: could councils be asked to look to find additional housing sites in similar locations here?
In respect of renewables, and in particular onshore wind, planning policy in England is likely to catch up with that in Scotland to help meet net zero targets.
Labour has also previously pledged funding to recruit hundreds more local authority planning inspectors. Scotland’s residential development sector would welcome any Barnett consequentials which would see Scottish Government funding being directed towards badly-needed planners in council departments here too.
Most interestingly responsibility for the distribution of what was branded ‘levelling-up’ funding north of the border, by the previous government, has now passed to the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP. Where this funding is directed, and what kind of projects it supports, will be keenly anticipated as the new Labour UK Government targets £3 of private sector investment for every £1 of public money that is spent.
With the Holyrood elections in 2026 anticipated to be the most keenly contested for several years, there may be opportunities as both the Westminster and Holyrood governments seek to use their respective powers in the intervening period to deliver more development in Scotland.
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