Planning etc (Scotland) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at 4:52 pm on 16 November 2006.

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Photo of Johann Lamont Johann Lamont Labour 4:52, 16 November 2006

It is obvious that there are tensions in members' positions on the third-party right of appeal. Jim Mather was unable to explain his position in relation to what he said to people in the business community, who believed that he was opposed to the third-party right of appeal. He is hung by his own comments.

We understand the critical issue of resources. Planners, members and I have not spent all this time producing legislation not to will the means for its delivery. The system is more efficient, so we will test it. Will it make a difference or not? We had a productive meeting with COSLA this week, and we know how critical it is that we give priority to understanding the real challenges of resourcing, to liberating planners from the grind so that they want to come into the profession and to having a system that delivers real change in our communities.

Christine May asked about planning guidance. I will write to her to provide more detail on that, but I assure her that archaeological sites have nothing to fear.

The culture change is a challenge, but we must all engage with it. I hope that, in supporting the bill, members will support the need to look at the planning system for what it can deliver and the need to ensure that everyone who is involved in it makes a difference so that the system works.