A DEAL has been struck on proposals to speed up the processing of local development plans and to streamline the planning system.
Local government minister Derek Mackay announced the package of measures yesterday following talks with Cosla, the umbrella body for Scotland's local authorities, and other key stakeholders.
The measures include extending the number of developments that do not need to submit planning applications.
Under the agreement, which must now be approved by MSPs, planning fees will increase by 20%, generating between £4 mil-lion and £5m to support the work of planning authorities.
There will also be one-off funding of £673,000 being made available to help local authorities deal with wind turbine applications. A high-level group will review planning performance, and look at proposals to link performance with wider reform of planning fees.
Ministers will also pursue a statutory mechanism to penalise authorities who under-perform in the longer term.
Mr Mackay said: "This Government is committed to planning reform. We are streamlining the planning system, removing the need for planning applications for some smaller developments and speeding up the processing of local development plans."
Following feedback at consultation stage, permitted development rights for agricultural and forestry private tracks will not be amended but kept under review. The Minister also confirmed £55,000 additional funding to Planning Aid for Scotland, which aims to increase young people's involvement in planning.
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