Chamber and committees

No responses havebeen received as the consultation on a Scottish Climate Change Bill has not yetbeen launched. The Scottish Government is currently meeting key stakeholders todiscuss the development of the consultation. The consultation on proposals for thebill will be launched around the turn of the year.

The Climate ChangeBusiness Delivery Group is an independent group of leading business people. Scottishministers have actively encouraged its remit, to inspire Scottish businesses todo more to reduce emissions and to influence policy and practice on climate changethroughout Scotland. Although the group does not have a formalrole in advising Scottish ministers, there is regular dialogue between thegroup and the government, and i have a keen interest in the group’s progress inadvancing this challenging agenda.

A full public consultationwill be held prior to the development of a Scottish Climate Change Bill and allmembers of the public are encouraged to respond to the consultation.

Planning authoritiesconsider the appropriate use of land within their area at each review of the developmentplan. As part of the review process there are formal opportunities for local residentsand other members of the public to make representations and the planning authoritymust take these into account in finalising the plan.

The consultation draftof Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 11: Open Space and Physical Activity, publishedAugust 2006, indicates that local authorities are also expected to take accountof community views in preparing an open space audit and strategy for their area,reflecting existing and future needs for open space. The final version of SPP 11will shortly be published, replacing existing National Planning Policy Guideline(NPPG) 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space.

Policy on open spaceis set out in National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 11: Sport, Physical Recreationand Open Space, which indicates that planning authorities should, in their localplans, identify existing sports facilities, parks, open spaces, pitches and playingfields and use the proposals map to protect these spaces where necessary. The localplan should also indicate sites where proposals to satisfy unmet demand can be located,including, if appropriate, sites for open space in urban areas. There are no setcriteria for designating land as greenspace.

NPPG 11 is currentlyunder review and will shortly be replaced by Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 11:Open Space and Physical Activity.

The consultation draftof Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 11: Open Space and Physical Activity, publishedAugust 2006, indicates that local authorities should prepare an open space auditand strategy for their area, reflecting existing and future needs for open space,which will include parks. The final version of SPP 11 will shortly be published,replacing existing National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 11: Sport, PhysicalRecreation and Open Space.

Planning authoritiesconsider the appropriate use of land within their area at each review of the developmentplan. As part of the review process representations may be made to the planningauthority and these will be taken into account in finalising the plan.

The designation ofland for a particular type of development in a development plan, or the grantingof planning permission for a specific development proposal on said land does notcompel anyone to carry out the development. For example, as planning permissionruns with the land, the owner of a piece of disused land could assert his or herrights as owner and prevent anyone from carrying out development despite havingobtained planning permission.

This sort of “earmarking”does not last indefinitely. Planning permissions are time limited in the sense thatthe permission will lapse unless development has begun by a date specified in thepermission. The designation of land in a development plan may also change if theplan is amended or when it is eventually replaced.

National PlanningPolicy Guideline (NPPG) 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space sets out howplanning authorities should plan for and protect open space. NPPG 11 is currentlyunder review and will shortly be replaced by Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 11:Open Space and Physical Activity. SPP 11 will strengthen protection against developmenton open space. The draft version of SPP 11, published in August 2006, can be viewedon the Scottish Government website at:www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/08/10134711/0.

NationalPlanning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 14: Natural Heritage (published 1999) sets outgovernment guidance on how policies for conservation and enhancement of Scotland’s natural heritage should be reflectedin land use planning. It explains how planning authorities are expected to havefull regard to natural heritage considerations in determining planning applications.NPPG 14 is currently under review and will in due course be replaced by a new ScottishPlanning Policy (SPP) 14. A draft version of SPP 14 will be issued for consultationearly in 2008.

This is an operationalmatter for Glasgow City Council.