MSP blasts plan system

Simpson:Reformisneeded

Tory MSP Graham Simpson has called for a radical overhaul of the planning system.

Statistics for local authorities’ planning performance have been revealed in the Scottish Government’s annual and quarterly report.

The report reveals that 33 per cent of major developments within the South Lanarkshire Council area in 2017/18 were housing.

It also showed the average decision time for local developments within South Lanarkshire was more than eight weeks and is a rise from 2016/17 when the average within SLC was over seven weeks.

Figures also reveal that 66.5 per cent of applications were decided in under two months.

The total number of local development decisions in South Lanarkshire in 2017/18 was 1290.

Central Scotland MSP Mr Simpson said: “Despite Scotland’s growing housing crisis, only 33 per cent of major developments within South Lanarkshire Council were housing developments in the past financial year. This is leading to rising rents in South Lanarkshire and is undermining the standard of living of local residents.

“The SNP Government’s policies in this area have not worked and that is plain from these atrocious statistics. We need radical and urgent reform of Scotland’s planning system.

“The Planning Bill, could go much further to revitalise the planning system and help more young people seeking to get on the property ladder.”

Pauline Elliott, the council’s head of planning and economic development, said: “The Scottish Government’s annual and quarterly planning performance statistics 2017/18 provide a useful range of facts and figures for the analysis of the planning process, however, they have to be viewed in their full context to remain meaningful.

“Overall, the major housing applications determined by the council last year resulted in permission being granted for over 3000 units across the area.

“That figure does not take into account the vast majority of planning applications for new housing which relate to developments of up to 50 homes. In addition, the council is carrying out a programme of building 1000 houses for social rent by 2021.

“We always strive to reach a decision as promptly as possible.”

East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabiani said:“The Planning Bill is at an early stage so there’s plenty of opportunity for MSPs and others to make their views known and offer their own suggestions. I must say it’s a bit rich for Tory MSPs such as Graham Simpson to criticise the SNP Government’s housing policy.

“It was his party that presided over the deliberate destruction of council housing and the rise of the private rented sector.”

Planning Bill is a missed opportunity...