Scotland’s parliament has approved National Planning Framework 4 that will deliver new guidance designed to elevate renewable energy projects in the consenting process.
The policy reform was passed by 88 votes to 30 following a debate in Holyrood yesterday and is now expected to be formally adopted as soon as next month.
Infrastructure schemes that contribute to renewable generation will be given “significant weight” under the new regime, with the overall intent of energy planning policy going forward to “encourage, promote and facilitate all forms of renewable energy development onshore and offshore”.
Transitional guidance will be issued to planners during the coming weeks to “smooth the shift from the old system to the new” said Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth Tom Arthur (pictured).
“NPF4 will support the sustainable growth of the renewable sector while continuing to protect our most valued natural assets and cultural heritage,” he told members of parliament.
A revised draft of the framework was laid before parliament in November, following consultation on the initial proposals throughout last year.
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland warned additional resources will be needed to ensure the success of the framework, with more staff and appropriate training required.
RTPI Scotland director Craig McLaren said: “Whilst we very much support the ambitions of NPF4 in tackling the twin climate and biodiversity crises, we need to focus on how it will be delivered.
“Critically, we need to ensure planning authorities have the resources and skills needed to do this, particularly as we move through the challenging transition period ahead.”
Scottish Renewables senior policy manager Mark Richardson agreed proper resourcing of planning departments will be crucial but praised NPF4 as a “remarkable and major step forward from the system which exists in Scotland today”.