Chamber and committees

Thanks very much. I will ask the same general question of Clare Symonds, if you have anything to add. You have been doing a lot of research on biodiversity policies, so it would be interesting to get an outline of what you have been finding.

Who wants to pick that up?

Thank you. Esmé Clelland, what are your thoughts and perspective from Scottish Environment LINK?

It is noted that this is the last phase of the Scottish Government’s permitted development rights review. It is suggested that the committee may wish to write to the Scottish Government asking it to set out its next steps and what it intends to do to consider the impact of the changes made through the three phases of the review. Do members agree that we should write to the Scottish Government in those terms?

Members indicated agreement.

Again, I feel that we have just scratched the surface of the topic, but I hope that we will get a fuller picture from hearing from all our panels. Thanks so much for joining us this morning. It has been really helpful.

I will suspend the meeting briefly to allow our witnesses to leave the room.

Before anyone responds, I will say that we have to keep our questions and answers brief.

I think that Gordon MacDonald has a supplementary question about brownfield sites.

To clarify, you said that you disagree, but it is not necessarily about the planning fee; it is the ring-fenced nature of the—

That is very helpful. Those are quite big figures, so we need to take a big step from where we are now with employment if we are to support the just transition aspect of NPF4.

I might be going a little bit off piste, but on my commute from my home to Edinburgh, when going through the Aberdeen area, I often encounter folks who have just come onshore or who are about to go offshore. From talking to them, I know that the job package that they get is very attractive—startlingly attractive, actually. What can the renewables sector do to attract people to the industry? I was talking to one person recently who said that the oil and gas industry is still the way to go, so there is work to be done to help people to understand the opportunities.

Good morning and welcome to the 15th meeting in 2024 of the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee. I remind all members and witnesses to ensure that their devices are in silent mode. Pam Gosal and Stephanie Callaghan are joining us online, and we have received apologies from Mark Griffin.

The first item on our agenda is to decide whether to take items 4, 5 and 6 in private. Are members content to do so?

Members indicated agreement.