|
Welcome to
the eighth edition of the BEFS e-Bulletin.
This bulletin provides links to the recently published
Government Economic Strategy and the Budget Spending Review
for 2007. Both documents contain important statements, policy
commitments and outcomes for
Scotland
's built environment. Links are also
provided to the associated parliamentary debate on the
spending review, and also to a debate on the environment
and culture.
If you have been forwarded this
Bulletin but would prefer to receive it directly into your
inbox, please click here for details on how to be added to the distribution
list. For further information on BEFS, visit http://www.befs.org.uk/ .
|
Short-cut to
sections:- Consultations |
Publications
| Scottish Government News Releases | News
Releases | Recent Parliamentary Questions
| Recent Parliamentary Answers | Motions,
Debates and Bill Progress |
Events Training
Job Vacancies
Consultations
The Future of Housing in Scotland: A discussion document (SG
31/10/07)
Discussion paper on the future direction of housing
policy in Scotland. (see news release below). Deadline for
responses: 25/01/08.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/30153156/0
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/FirmFoundations
Draft Regulations on Development Planning: Consultation Paper (SG
31/10/07)
The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 introduced a new
system of development planning in Scotland. The Act allows many
detailed aspects of the system to be prescribed by Scottish
Ministers through regulations. This consultation is on the draft set
of these regulations. Deadline for responses: 20/02/08.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/31093026/0
Planning Enforcement Regulations 2007: Consultation Paper (SG
31/10/07)
The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 introduced new
powers for enforcement of planning controls in Scotland. The Act
allows detailed aspects of the new powers to be prescribed by
Scottish Ministers through regulations. This consultation is on
drafts of these regulations. (see news release below). Deadline for
responses: 20/02/08.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/10/31093316/0
Back to Top
Publications
Draft Scottish Planning Policy 11: Physical Activity and Open
Space - Analysis of Consultation Responses (SG 15/11/07)
Analysis of consultation responses.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/09143613/0
Planning Series Circular 7/2007: Consultation on and Notification
of Planning Applications for Outdoor Sports Facilities and Open
Space 2007 (SG 15/11/07)
This Circular and accompanying
Directions to planning authorities give effect to the policy changes
announced in SPP 11: Open Space and Physical Activity in respect of
consultation and notification requirements for applications for
planning permission on land identified in the development plan as
open space and applications affecting certain outdoor sports
facilities.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/14132659/0
Scottish Planning Policy 11: Open Space and Physical Activity -
Consultation Report (SG 15/11/07)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/09143537/0
Scottish Planning Policy: SPP 11: Open Space and Physical
Activity (SG 15/11/07)
This SPP emphasises the importance of
quality open spaces and sets out national planning policy on the
provision and protection of open space within and on the edges of
settlements and on sports and recreation facilities in urban and
rural settings. SPP 11 replaces NPPG 11: Sport, Physical Recreation
and Open Space.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/12152424/0
Scottish Budget Spending Review 2007 (SG 14/11/07)
Scottish
Budget Spending Review 2007. (see below for news release)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/13092240/0
The Government Economic Strategy (SG 13/11/07)
The Government
Economic Strategy supports the delivery of the Purpose, that is, to
focus the Government and public services on creating a more
successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to
flourish, through increasing sustainable growth. (see below for news
release)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/12115041/0
Developing the New Planning Performance Assessment Framework -
Consultation Responses (SG 02/11/07)
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/02095438/0
SHEP on Properties in the Care of the Scottish Ministers -
analysis of consultation responses (HS 10/07)
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/pic-shep-analysis-report.pdf
Back to Top
Scottish Government News Releases
Government Economic Strategy (SG 13/11/07)
The Scottish
Government today launched its new Economic Strategy with the purpose
of creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of
Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic
growth. The strategy identifies Infrastructure Development and Place
as one of five Strategic Priorities that are most critical to
economic growth.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/11/13122603
Scotland's budget and spending review (SG 14/11/07)
The
Scottish Government's spending plans for the next three years have
been outlined to MSPs in the Parliament. Cabinet Secretary for
Finance John Swinney said "Our purpose is to create a more
successful Scotland through increased sustainable economic growth.
Our spending over the next three years is aligned to achieving that
purpose."
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/11/14081839
Progress towards set up of Creative Scotland (SG 07/11/07)
Plans to establish Creative Scotland - the body that will
support the country's creative practitioners and the Scottish
Government's cultural policy plans, have been set out.
Speaking in Parliament, Minister for Culture Linda Fabiani said:
"The Creative Scotland Bill will establish the amalgamated body
which will cultivate and support the best of Scottish arts and
creativity and will build on the successes of the Scottish Arts
Council and Scottish Screen."
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/11/07145934
The Queen's Speech (SG 06/11/07)
Minister for Parliamentary
Business Bruce Crawford has commented on the Queen's Speech. He
noted "Within the UK Government's new legislative programme
announced [today], the Government has identified and agreed a number
of specific opportunities to legislate for the benefit of Scotland
on matters that are within the legislative competence of the
Scottish Parliament and on matters which relate to the executive
competence of Scottish Ministers." This includes a Bill on Climate
Change which will provide a statutory UK framework for actions to
mitigate climate change by reducing emissions, including setting a
statutory target for the reduction of carbon emissions.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/11/06132546
Architectural
vision for Scotland
(SG
02/11/07
)
Speaking at the UK Society of Chief Architects of Local
Authorities (SCALA), Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said:
"Architecture has a big role to play in the objectives of the
Scottish Government. It contributes to a 'wealthier Scotland' by
attracting business investment and tourism through our best new
architecture and rich heritage, and that same smart design and rich
architectural heritage enhances all our lives.This government will
build on the strengths of past architecture policy as we now focus
on promoting a positive view of our architectural culture and
heritage and building a sustainable and inclusive approach to our
built environment."
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/11/02094406
Future for
housing in Scotland
(SG
31/10/07
)
Plans designed
to reform housing provision across
Scotland
to give first
time buyers and tenants a better deal have been outlined. A
discussion document Firm
Foundations - The Future of Housing in Scotland has been
published, giving details of the Scottish Government's proposals for
increasing housing supply and choice. Proposals include establishing
a Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative to encourage local
authorities and their partners to bring forward proposals for
sustainable new settlements to meet demand in particular areas.
Health and Wellbeing Secretary Nicola Sturgeon also confirmed the
Scottish Government's intention to abolish Communities Scotland,
with its main non-regulatory functions to be brought into the core
Scottish Government.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/10/31142057
Crackdown on
planning breaches (SG 31/10/07
)
Rogue developers who flout planning laws will have to pay
fixed penalties of up to £5,000 under new proposals unveiled. The
Scottish Government is consulting on regulations which will
give councils quicker, cheaper and more effective ways of dealing
with breaches of planning without going to court.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/10/31112159
Back to Top
News Releases
A+DS Hails Glasgow Games Success (A+DS 09/11/07)
Sebastian
Tombs, Chief Executive of Architecture + Design Scotland (A+DS)
said, shortly after it was announced that the city would play host
to the 2014 games, that: "This is tremendous news for Glasgow and
for Scotland. This presents Glasgow with a wonderful opportunity to
contribute to its built environment in a manner that will not only
deliver a fantastic event but will also provide regeneration
opportunities for the City's communities. At A+DS we will be working
with other stakeholders to ensure that quality design solutions
provide the City with a built legacy they can be proud of."
http://www.ads.org.uk/news/204_a-ds-hails-glasgow-games-success
Cairngorms National Park exhibition (HS 01/11/07)
The rich
architectural heritage of the Cairngorms National Park is to be
celebrated in a new exhibition. The display, and an accompanying
booklet, has been created by the Historic Scotland listing team and
follows a resurvey of buildings of special architectural or historic
interest in this famously scenic area.
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news-full-article.htm?articleid=27443
Traditional skills qualification launched (HS 12/11/07)
Minister Linda Fabiani MSP has launched the first qualification
in masonry conservation in Scotland. Ms Fabiani said: "Scotland's
architecture plays a vital role in our identity, culture and
heritage and it is imperative that we maintain it. To do this we
have to make sure that the people working on our built heritage are
appropriately trained and qualified".
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/news-full-article.htm?articleid=27560
Heritage Counts 2007 - On Skills (EH 31/10/07)
Heritage
Counts 2007, the sixth annual survey of the state of the historic
environment, was published on Wednesday 31 October revealing that
many more skilled crafts people and professionals are needed to
tackle the challenges faced by England's historic environment.
Heritage Counts is prepared by English Heritage on behalf of the
Historic Environment Review Executive Committee and the Regional
Historic Environment Forums and is a comprehensive assessment of all
aspects of the country's heritage.
http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.12313
Design cemeteries for the living, not just the dead (CABE
31/10/07)
Urban burial grounds in the 19th century were
originally envisaged as public open spaces, and they were
professionally designed to be attractive places to visit in their
own right. Today that close relationship between the cemetery and
the park has disappeared from many local authority strategies. Many
cemeteries are neglected, with very little to attract anyone apart
from those visiting specific burial plots. Due to this lack of
design, planning and ambition, the potential health and
environmental benefits of cemeteries are not being realized.
http://www.cabe.org.uk/default.aspx?contentitemid=2131
Back to Top
Recent Parliamentary Questions
Written questions awaiting answer are given below. See 'recent
parliamentary answers' for new questions (raised since circulation
of BEFS e-Bulletin 7) that have already been answered.
S3W-6281 Johann Lamont: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the
Housing Supply Task Force will consider the effectiveness of
Planning Advice Note 74 (PAN 74). (SP 14/11/07)
S3W-6050 Nigel Don: To ask the Scottish Executive what
discussions have taken place regarding the continuation of the
Planning Development Programme. (SP 06/11/07)
Oral questions and debate:
S3O-1151 Marilyn Livingstone: To ask the Scottish Executive what
funding it will make available for town centre regeneration over the
next three years. (SP 01/11/07)
S3F-253 Roseanna Cunningham: To ask the First Minister whether
the Scottish Government has any plans to encourage the growth of
town and village centres, in light of the challenges faced by high
street businesses throughout Scotland. (SP 06/11/07)
Debate in relation to these oral questions can be found in the
official report at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-07/sor1108-02.htm#Col3210
Back to Top
Recent Parliamentary Answers
S3W-6037 Johann Lamont: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it
will reissue guidance to local authorities in respect of advice in
Planning Advice Note 74 that "each site should contribute 25% of the
total number of units as affordable housing". (SP 05/11/07)
Answered by Stewart Stevenson (12/11/07): PAN 74 on affordable
housing was introduced in March 2005. It will take time both for all
local authorities to adopt affordable housing policies in line with
this advice as part of their overall planning policies, and for the
new homes to be built. Early indications are that planning
authorities are adopting affordable housing policies that reflect
the advice in PAN 74 and that these are beginning to deliver
additional affordable housing units. We are putting monitoring
arrangements in place to assess the effectiveness of the advice in
PAN 74. Given the current status of PAN 74 as outlined above,
there are no current plans to issue any further guidance.
S3W-5574: Answered by Stewart Maxwell (31/10/07): The Housing
Supply Task Force includes representatives from local authorities in
its membership and local authorities have been invited to be
represented at task force meetings; most recently at the task force
meeting on 23 October 2007. Further meetings and events are planned,
to which local authorities and other organisations with an interest
in housing supply issues will be invited. The task force is keen to
engage with a wide range of interests to explore how the supply of
housing of all types can be increased in all areas of Scotland. I am
aware of the initiative by Scottish Borders Council to establish a
local Housing Task Force and I am aware that officials from
Communities Scotland are involved in task force meetings. I
recognise the severe affordable housing pressures that exist in the
Borders, as in many other parts of Scotland and I would be
interested in seeing whether any outputs emerge from the council's
initiative that could have wider applicability.
S3W-5747: Answered by Linda Fabiani (08/11/07): We are currently
considering the commitment to merge Royal Commission on Ancient and
Historical Monuments (RCAHMS) with Historic Scotland within our
wider proposals to simplify the Scottish public sector landscape.
Our intention is to simplify Scottish public services and reduce the
number of public bodies operating in Scotland by a quarter by the
end of this Parliament.
S3W-5757: Answered by Linda Fabiani (06/11/07): We hope to make
an announcement about the review of heritage legislation in the next
few months.
S3W-5758: Answered by Linda Fabiani (06/11/07): I expect to make
a statement about this and connected matters on 7 November 2007.
S3W-5763: Answered by Linda Fabiani (08/11/07): We are making
good progress with our audit of the historic environment. It is a
process rather than a single piece of work. So far, we have
completed our preliminary survey of baseline data. Shortly, we will
be agreeing the data that we want to collect in future to measure
relevant changes over time. Periodically, we will then conduct
audits using that data. More particularly, Historic Scotland: has
established an Historic Environment Audit Stakeholder Advisory Group
(HEASAG) to involve the sector fully in the development of the
audit;has developed a dedicated audit website to inform the public
about the audit: (www.heritageaudit.org.uk);has
surveyed available information on the historic environment and is
working with HEASAG to prioritise improvements to the evidence base,
and has prepared a first report for publication later this year, to
be entitled A Review of Existing Information for Scotland's Historic
Environment Audit.
Back to Top
Motions, Debates and Bill Progress
Debate on Environment and Culture (SP 01/11/07)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-07/sor1101-02.htm#Col3016
Statement on Creative Scotland and Cultural Policy (SP 08/11/07)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-07/sor1107-02.htm#Col3072
Strategic Spending Review - Statement and Debate (SP 14/11/07)
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-07/sor1114-02.htm#Col3324
*S3M-739 Michael Russell: The Environment-That the Parliament
notes the important relationships among Scotland's natural and built
environment, culture and history, which together make us who we are;
recognises the achievements over the centuries of artists such as
Sir Walter Scott, James Hogg, Alexander Naysmith, Robin Jenkins,
Sorley MacLean, Joan Eardley and Ian Hamilton Finlay and, continuing
those connections today, Angus Farquhar, Alasdair Gray, Andy Scott
and Frances Walker among many others; is glad that so many artists
from Scotland and from elsewhere have taken their inspiration from
Scotland's people, landscape and natural resources and the ways of
life which they support and continue to do so, and recognises the
need for the Scottish Government to work closely with cultural and
environmental organisations, local authorities, community groups and
individuals to celebrate, explore and reveal the diversity and
ever-changing nature of Scotland, its people and its place in the
world. (SP 31/10/07)
*S3M-739.1 Des McNulty: The Environment-As an amendment to motion
(S3M-739) in the name of Michael Russell, insert at end "further
notes the involvement of artists, architects and urban designers
with housing associations, local authorities and others in efforts
to regenerate urban as well as rural environments; notes the
importance of the Environmental Justice Fund and the Community
Regeneration Fund in enabling communities that have suffered from
degraded environments to gain support to regenerate their
communities, and calls on the Scottish Government to do more to
protect and enhance Scotland's landscapes, particularly in light of
the challenges brought by climate change, and to link together
cultural entitlements with environmental justice." (SP 01/11/07)
Back to Top
Events
AHSS Forth & Borders Group Winter Lecture Series:
'Reflections on Lost Houses of Scotland', Ian Gow, Curator of the
National Trust for Scotland
Monday 3rd December 2007, 6.30pm,
Glasite Meeting House, 33 Barony Street, Edinburgh.
Admission:
£5 non-members/£4 members/£2 students.
4th Natural Stone Institute Annual Lecture: 29th November 2007
Malcolm Fraser, Malcolm Fraser Architects, will be explaining
the development of this new build project which combines the
historic 'John Knox House' with the adjacent Netherbow Arts Centre.
He will outline approaches to using and detailing stone in modern
contexts. Following the talk there will also be the opportunity to
view this exceptionally beautiful venue with this expert guide.
Tickets: £15 (£10 NSI members and concessions).
For further
information contact: Sarah Bailey, 0131 557 3336, sarahbailey@nsiuk.org
Back to Top
Training
Back to Top
Job Vacancies
Back to Top
Information in the
Bulletin is extracted from a number of websites; including the
Scottish Government (SG); the Scottish Parliament (SP);
Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS); Historic Scotland (HS);
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH); Scottish Council for Voluntary
Organisations (SCVO); English Heritage (EH); Commission for
Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE); Department of
Communities and Local Government (DCLG); Department of Culture,
Media and Sport (DCMS); Department of Environment and Rural Affairs
(DEFRA); National Assembly for Wales (NAW); Forestry Commission
Scotland (FCS); Scottish Building Standards Agency (SBSA). For
further information, links are provided to the relevant documents.
If you have any questions or comments on the
above, or would like to submit information to be included, please
get in touch with Jo Robertson jrobertson@befs.org.uk or call
the BEFS Office on 0131 220 6241.
| 