30 October 2008

Quarry Products Association Welcomes Planning Reforms

Quarry Products Association Scotland (QPA Scotland), the principal trade body for the aggregates and quarry products sector, has welcomed the announcement by Scottish Government to implement a wide-ranging package of improvements to make Scotland’s planning system leaner and fitter.

As a key contributor to the process, QPA Scotland believes the work will improve efficiency and ensure planning is geared towards supporting increased sustainable growth in Scotland - particularly important in the current economic climate.

Key measures will include:

• simpler and more transparent processes.
• Government agencies focusing on matters of genuine national interest.
• annual performance reports from Scottish Government and agencies.
• up-to-date development plans that provide investors and communities alike with greater certainty.
• quicker decision-making by councils on high-quality applications.
• a new electronic planning system to be formally launched next Spring.

John Sheridan Director of QPA Scotland said “We were more than pleased to be invited to endorse this publication and offer our continuing support to improve efficiency in the planning system”

“We are particularly encouraged by the recognition of the strategic importance, given at Ministerial level, of the future supply of aggregates in helping to build Scotland’s economy.” 
         
Speaking at a major Planning Summit in Edinburgh yesterday, Finance Secretary John Swinney acknowledged the support of all involved and the endorsement by others including that of QPA Scotland and said:

"The reforms I am announcing today, in partnership with COSLA, council leaders and chief executives, agencies and the development industry, demonstrate a fundamental shift in the way we approach planning. We will work collaboratively to ensure we make planning quicker and more proportionate.

"Planning is critical to increasing sustainable economic growth - a sustainable, dynamic and growing economy means a better quality of life for all. Planning reform needs to help, not hinder, the economy - especially in the current climate.”

The initiative has developed in partnership with a host of Government Agencies and other bodies including the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Water, Architecture and Design Scotland, Historic Scotland, Transport Scotland, the Scottish Property Federation and Homes for Scotland, and has been endorsed by the Scottish Society for Directors of Planning, the Royal Town Planning Institute and QPA Scotland.

ENDS

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