Welcome to the September planning update from the Scottish Planning & Regeneration Team. Please click on the links below to obtain further information on the identified topics.

1. Rezone your land! Live and forthcoming development plan consultations
Is there a current opportunity to promote your site through a development plan review?

2. Scottish Government to invest £100 million in affordable housing
On 19 August 2008, First Minister Alex Salmond announced that the delivery of affordable homes across Scotland will be accelerated. He also suggested that the review of S75 agreements should be put on hold.

3. The Scottish Household Survey 2007 has been published
Scotland's Chief Statistician published the 2007 Scottish Household Survey on 7 August 2008. This survey contains the national results and of the population on a number of key topics.

4. Government's plans to address challenging economic climate - using Scotland's world-class natural energy resources
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond announced ways in which Scotland is able to address the challenges presented by the current economic climate: maximising the benefits of Scotland's natural resources.



1. Rezone your land: Live and forthcoming development plan consultations.

Is there a current opportunity to promote your site through a development plan review?

Check here on the status of all development plans in Scotland. (PDF, 40KB)

For further details contact Patrick Dunne +44 (0) 141 222 5879



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2. Scottish Government to invest £100 million in affordable housing.

On 19 August 2008, First Minister Alex Salmond announced that the delivery of affordable homes across Scotland will be accelerated. The announcement comes in line with a new housing policy document which includes support for first time buyers, incentives for a new generation of council housing and increased protection for home owners.

In order for Scotland to respond to immediate economic challenges, First Minister Alex Salmond sets out that the following actions have to be taken

• Bringing forward up to £100 million of affordable housing investment to be spent this year and next, rather than 2010-11 as originally planned. Some £60 million will be committed from national government programmes and, in line with the Concordat, we are discussing a further £40 million from local government
  
  
• New criteria for housing associations to purchase unsold stock or land to deliver houses where they are needed, at best cost to the public purse
  
  
• European Structural Funds: on top of the £180 million we have already committed to spend from the 2007-13 Programmes, front load a high share of the remaining funds to support high-quality projects and provide a direct stimulus to the Scottish economy
  
  
• Planning: postpone the review of the system of developer contributions in Scotland, to avoid placing new burdens on development at this time
  
  
• Tourism: new steps to ensure Scottish tourism reaps the full benefit of Homecoming 2009
  
  
• Energy: bulk purchasing of electricity to across the public sector to safeguard the public services; and make it easier for businesses to increase their energy efficiency through a range of government schemes
  
  
• Financial services: bring together the key players - including the major mortgage lenders - to examine the scope for easing the supply of credit to households and businesses.

Of particular relevance is the postponement of the Section 75 agreement review. This is in light of the fact that Local Authorities have failed to negotiate the provision of 25 per cent of affordable housing.

If you have any further queries regarding the Scottish Government's investment in affordable housing delivery, please contact Alastair Wood +44 (0) 141 222 4102 for further information.

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3. The Scottish Household Survey 2007 has been published.

Scotland's Chief Statistician published the 2007 Scottish Household Survey on 7 August 2008. A copy of the survey can be viewed here.

This survey contains the national results of the population on a number of key topics including household composition; housing; neighbourhoods and communities; economic activity; financial inclusion; education; transport; internet and broadband; health and caring; local services; volunteering; culture and sport.

The report provides an important resource for the Scottish Government when setting future housing policy and supply. This report can also be used when evaluating the need and proportion of different housing types within large housing developments.

The main findings of the report, with particular regard of housing composition are shown below:

• Owner occupation is the predominant tenure for household types, with the exception of single parent households and single adult households.
  
  
• The 15 per cent most deprived areas in Scotland are characterized by high concentrations of social housing, with 53 per cent of households in the social rented sector; compared to 17 per cent in the rest of Scotland.
  
  
• 51 per cent of adults are married and living with a spouse, while 23 per cent are single. 32 per cent of households in Scotland contain only one adult.
  
  
• Further information on household characteristics are held in the report, and may provide useful baseline information when carrying out numerous planning appraisals.
  
  

For further details contact Myriam Hengesch +44 (0) 141 222 4104

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4. Government's plans to address challenging economic climate - using Scotland's world-class natural energy resources.

In a recent speech, Alex Salmond highlighted that Scotland has the capability to stand apart by providing the full energy mix. Mr Salmond stated: "The value of our oil is at an all time high, yet we still have to reap the full benefits of our natural resources."

The aim is to become a world leader in renewable energy and recent projects have just demonstrated this:

• new biomass plant at Markinch


• extension to Crystal rig windfarm and


• creation of Europe's largest windfarms in South Lanarkshire.
  

At Savills, we can provide specialist planning advice on renewable energy projects. Please do not hesitate to contact Iain Pattenden +44 (0) 141 222 4103

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Please do not hesitate to contact any of the individuals identified or us for further information.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Alastair Wood - Director
+44 (0) 141 222 4102
awood@savills.com