Chamber and committees

Scottish Planning Policy requires consideration in development plans of the housing requirement across all tenures, including affordable. The development plan will also consider the provision of a range of specialist housing as evidenced in the housing need and demand assessments whilst also reflecting local housing policy.

Where a shortage of affordable housing (including social rent), has been identified, the development plan should show the role that planning will take to try to address this. Planning authorities should consider whether it is appropriate to allocate some small sites specifically for affordable housing (including for social rent). Advice on the range of possible options for provision of affordable housing is set out in Planning Advice Note 2/2010.

Plans should identify any expected private developer contributions towards the delivery of affordable housing (including social rent). The level of affordable housing required as a contribution within a market site should generally be no more than 25% of the total number of houses.

The Scottish Government provides a framework for planning and housing through Scottish Planning Policy and guidance on undertaking housing need and demand assessments (HNDAs) and developing local housing strategies. This framework supports local authorities, who have strategic responsibility for housing within their areas, to determine the appropriate mix of new housing to be delivered. It is for local authorities to decide the type, tenure, size and location of new housing for their areas, based on the HNDA evidence, including giving full consideration to the needs of older people through their development plan and local housing strategy, in accordance with national guidance.

Furthermore, current Scottish building regulations and supporting guidance mean new homes across all tenures are the most accessible in the UK. Measures introduced in 2007 focus on assisting those with a disability, however these can also benefit older people, enabling them to stay in their homes for longer.

The Scottish Government provides a framework for planning and housing policy, which includes Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and guidance on housing need and demand assessments (HNDAs) and local housing strategies. This framework supports local authorities, who have strategic responsibility for housing within their areas, to determine the appropriate mix of new housing. It is therefore for local authorities to decide the type, tenure, size and location of new housing for their areas and to ensure that the needs of older people are taken into account though their development plans and local housing strategies in accordance with national guidance.

In its role in commenting on the form and content of development plans, the Scottish Government makes informal comments and/or representations to ensure compliance with national planning policy, including that stated in SPP paragraph 132 as appropriate.

All local authorities use the HNDA guidance (2014) that requires them to include an assessment of specialist housing provision, which includes giving consideration to the needs of older people. Authorities also estimate what future housing will be required, including for owner-occupation, to meet the needs of all household types, including for older people.

The Scottish Government provides a framework for planning and housing through Scottish Planning Policy and guidance on undertaking housing need and demand assessments (HNDAs) and developing local housing strategies. This framework supports local authorities, who have strategic responsibility for housing within their areas, to determine the appropriate mix of new housing to be delivered. It is for local authorities to decide the type, tenure, size and location of new housing for their areas, based on the HNDA evidence.

The HNDA will show the requirement for new affordable housing, including the number of social rented homes needed, in the local authority area.

Taking cognisance of the HNDA evidence and the local authority’s policy for the provision of affordable housing (including social rent), the development plan will set out the scale and distribution of the affordable housing requirement for the area.

Advice on the range of options for provision of affordable housing is set out in Planning Advice Note 2/2010. Part of the consideration undertaken will be whether it is appropriate to allocate some small sites specifically for affordable housing, including social rent.

There is no single definition of adjacency with regard to development planning within the Scottish Planning Policy. Subject to review by the courts, it is for the decision maker to interpret and apply policy, having regard to the wording of the policy, the justification for it, and any other material considerations.

The Scottish Government is delivering on reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.

In 2013 Scotland generated 46.4% of its equivalent electricity needs from renewables – in fact, Scotland generated 32% of total UK renewable generation in 2013 and our ambition is to deliver the equivalent of at least 100% of gross electricity consumption from renewables by 2020.

There is continued progress towards the renewable heat target of 11% by 2020 – in 2012 we produced 3% of Scotland’s non-electrical heat demand for that year from renewables. This grew from 1% in 2009.

And we are on track to meet the Scotland-wide target to reduce energy consumption by at least 12% by 2020. Energy consumption in 2012 was 11.8% lower than the 2005-07 baseline against which the 12% energy efficiency target is measured.

Our ambitious renewables targets and climate change targets and our policies on electricity generation, renewable heat and energy efficiency are progressively reducing our use of fossil fuels and new technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage will also help the Scottish Government in its ambitions to decarbonise electricity generation.

Offshore wind energy projects undergo a full and thorough consultation and consideration is given to all assessment methods that are suggested by consultees. Marine Scotland ensures that decisions on the impacts of potential offshore wind projects are made in light of the best scientific knowledge and expert opinion, using peer reviewed outputs where possible. Where peer reviewed outputs are not practical, Marine Scotland utilises the best available scientific advice in conjunction with the most suitable assessment methods, which are, where possible, informed by outputs from specifically targeted and focussed scientific projects and research.

There are a range of methods used by Marine Scotland to assess the likely impact on seabird populations of proposed offshore wind energy projects. Some of these methods, such as collision risk modelling, have a long history of development with input from statutory nature conservation bodies and others. Other methods, such as energetic modelling and some population modelling, are more recent, but are nonetheless subject to consideration by steering groups with representatives from interested parties. Marine Scotland are operating at the forefront of science on this matter which will provide a strong basis going forward as knowledge and learning develops in this area. Given the importance to Scotland of its seabird populations, when assessing the likely impact on these populations by proposed wind energy projects, Marine Scotland use the most suitable techniques and the best available evidence.

Completion of an appropriate assessment in compliance with the relevant secondary legislation is the stage at which competent authorities must establish the absence of reasonable scientific doubt when considering the potential impacts of plans or projects on European sites. In order to address uncertainty in relation to effects, assessments which are undertaken are precautionary, and, as a general rule, the more uncertainty in relation to effects that exists, the greater the precaution within the assessment.