Chamber and committees

Thank you, minister. I hope that the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills is working alongside you, so that there is that crossover, because it is not just about planning; it is about education as well.

Minister, we heard in your opening statement how important planning is to the First Minister’s future plans. We have also heard in evidence to the committee that the inadequate resourcing of planning departments remains a barrier to the delivery of NPF4.

Could you outline the proposed changes to funding that are set out in the “Investing in Planning” consultation document? Could you also explain how those changes will tackle the resourcing issues?

Good morning, panel. You probably know that Scotland is experiencing a housing emergency, and you have probably heard that five councils have declared a housing emergency. Sadly, two of those councils are in my West Scotland region.

The committee has heard evidence that the best way to tackle that emergency is by increasing the supply of homes. Could brownfield sites play an important role in helping to increase the supply of homes by providing space for new developments to be built? Do you believe that NPF4 is having any impact on the willingness of developers to build on brownfield sites?

Good morning, panel. The committee has heard concerns that some Scottish Government agencies, including SEPA, have not adjusted to the policy priorities of NPF4. Do you share that view? If so, what action would you like such organisations to take to reflect those priorities?

I have a question for Ian Aikman. Obviously, it is good to hear about things that are happening in certain areas. However, what is your overall view on brownfield sites? Is NPF4 supporting developers to come forward with brownfield sites?

The committee has heard a lot that planning departments continue to lack resources to deliver an effective planning system. Just last week, we heard from Homes for Scotland that changing the planning fees system is not the answer, especially as it does not get the adequate service that it is looking for. The Scottish Government is funding 10 bursaries at £2,000 each for students to undertake planning postgraduate degrees. Is that enough? What more can be done to increase the number of planners? Will changing the planning fees system solve the resource issues in planning?

It was recently reported that the Scottish Government has not undertaken any internal work to calculate new build plans or projections. What, if any, evidence is there that the policy set out in NPF4 is supporting the delivery of new homes? Do you believe that the Scottish Government ought to undertake work projecting the number of homes that need to be built in Scotland?

You have cited delays, reasons for refusal and planners’ lack of resources. Those have been highlighted in the committee before as well. When you talk about working at it early, what do you mean? Those are three different areas. One is obviously the resourcing and the planning, but reasons for refusal will have to be to a material degree, going back to planning documents and policies. What else can be done there?

Yes, convener.

Craig McLaren must have known that I am going to talk about technology. He mentioned that.

Obviously, technology is coming in and artificial intelligence is around. That is moving at a fast pace. Where do you see that helping planning and planners? Can you give me a little more on that? We know that that could help with efficiencies and save time that planners could use elsewhere.

In the past, I have looked at planners having a laptop, an iPad or whatever to take on site and do reports there, rather than going back to the office. I have seen such examples in England, as well. How will more efficient technology and devices help?