THE Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has welcomed the publication by the Scottish Government of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) Position Statement.
The document sets out governmental thinking on the issues that will need to be addressed when preparing NPF4, with a particular focus on net zero emissions, resilient communities, a wellbeing economy and greener places.
Irene Beautyman, convenor of RTPI Scotland, said, “The National Planning Framework has the potential to help transform Scotland. The position paper published by the Scottish Government is a very promising foundation for this and shows how planning can support a sustainable and equitable green economic recovery that delivers the new normal we need post-Covid. I am delighted the Government has included so many of the RTPI’s recommendation in this document, including prioritising planning for the net zero carbon target by 2045, putting people’s health and wellbeing at the heart of the planning system and prioritising active and sustainable travel.”
She also welcomed proposals to better link the NPF with other strategies and the Infrastructure Investment Programme but said she would like to see this developed further to ensure that NPF4 is accompanied by a 10-year capital investment programme.
