Agenda item

Presentation by Chief Planning & Housing Officer.

4.0             INDICATIVE REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGIES FOR SOUTH OF SCOTLAND AND         SOUTH EAST SCOTLAND

The Chief Planning Officer was present at the meeting and gave a presentation on the two Indicative Regional Spatial Strategies (IRSS) that had been prepared to inform the development of the National Planning Framework (NPF). He explained that the Scottish Borders Council was in the unique position of being involved in the preparation of two such strategies.  The IRSS for the South of Scotland had been prepared jointly with Dumfries and Galloway Council and the IRSS for the South East Scotland in association with the five other SESplan authorities (City of Edinburgh, West Lothian, East Lothian, Midlothian and Fife Councils).

5.1       It was explained that the formal duty to prepare Regional Spatial Strategies had not yet been enacted but that Scottish Government had asked that indicative or interim strategies be prepared to inform the NPF. Regional Spatial Strategies are long term spatial strategies which identify:

·         the need for strategic development

·         the outcomes to which strategic development will contribute

·         priorities for the delivery of strategic development

·         proposed locations, shown in the form of a map or diagram

5.2       What had been prepared in both instances are ‘light touch’ but overarching documents that reflect existing projects, programmes and strategies such as SESplan, Scottish Borders Local Development Plan, the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.  The IRSS was not promoting any new policies or projects but it was the opportunity to bring together existing strategic planning issues, economic development strategy and connectivity projects and give an indication of where we would want to see our region in 2050.

The South of Scotland IRSS focusses on the following themes:

·      Climate - What development will we need to address climate change?

·      People - How can planning support our quality of life, health and wellbeing in the future?

·      Economy - What does planning need to do to enable an economy that benefits everyone?

·      Place - How can planning improve and strengthen the special character of our places?

·      Connectivity - What infrastructure do we need to plan to realise our long term aspirations?

The South East of Scotland IRSS builds on the strategy set out in SESplan and takes into account the emerging City Deal Regional Growth Frameworkand focusses on:

·      Regional Recovery and Renewal  - Tackling inequality, environmental improvement, economic renewal

·      Adaptable, a more resilient region - Tackling climate change, building design and conservation

·      Accessible Region -  Tackling connectivity, infrastructure delivery, sustainable housing sites

5.3       Mr Aikman confirmed that both documents would be presented to Council on 25^th September 2020 for ratification and that the South East of Scotland IRSS would also be considered by the SESplan Joint Committee on 21 September 2020.

DECISION

NOTED.

6.3       Mr Aikman confirmed that both documents would be presented to Council on 25^th September 2020 for ratification and that the South East of Scotland IRSS would also be considered by the SESplan Joint Committee on 21 September 2020.

DECISION

NOTED.