Scottish Environment LINK members have launched an e-action to gather support around much needed changes to the Scottish Government’s Planning Bill that will put our communities and the environment first.
Planning is the foundation that preserves and enhances our built and natural environment, shaping and supporting our local communities. At its best, planning can deliver sustainable communities with affordable housing, well-resourced public services, green spaces for recreation, a flourishing and protected natural environment, clean air and transport infrastructure.
But all too often the planning system puts developers’ profits before communities’ needs leading to unsustainable developments, exacerbating inequalities and damaging our environment.
Today, confidence in the planning system is at an all-time low, with a recent survey finding that most people feel they have no influence in planning decisions that impact on their day-to-day lives and environment.
Key to fixing the planning system is meaningful community engagement and equal rights of appeal to help level the playing field between communities and developers. However, the Scottish Government’s proposed new Planning Bill doesn’t go nearly far enough in embedding sustainability and community engagement. In fact, it risks making matters worse.
Members of the public are encouraged to support our e-action and help give Scotland the world class planning system it deserves!
This is the time to write to your MSPs and ask them to support a planning system that delivers for our communities and the environment! Support our e-action and let’s make our voices heard!
For more information, please contact:
Daphne Vlastari, Advocacy Manager Scottish Environment LINK | daphne@scotlink.org |0131 225 4345
Editors’ Notes:
- Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
- To support our e-action, please visit: https://act.foe.scot/help-plan-better-scotland
- To read detailed views from Scottish Environment LINK members on the new Planning Bill, click here.
- To read more about the National Trust for Scotland survey on public engagement and the planning system, click here.