Scotland round-up: Green light for new East Lothian settlement; Homes for social rent, first-time buyers, and the elderly

A round-up of planning news in Scotland: 25 March-31 March, 2017
Green light for new East Lothian settlement
A new town in East Lothian is set to climb off the drawing board following approval from the planning authority of the masterplan for the 1,600-home first phase of the Blindwells development.
The Planner
Dementia-friendly housing charter launched
Alzheimer’s Society, the dementia support and research charity, has called on housing associations to sign up to its new dementia-friendly housing charter and improve the lives of people living with the condition.
The Planner
Over a million used Help to Buy
More than 868,000 have opened a Help to Buy ISA while at least 259,000 people have bought a home using another of the government’s Help to Buy schemes, according to government statistics.
The Planner
Housing association to use wind farm to fund housing
The UK's first wind farm to be developed by a housing association as a means of funding new homes for social rental has been launched. The Hoprigshiels community windfarm is near Cockburnspath in the Scottish Borders.
Triodes Bank
Homes for social rent, first-time buyers, and the elderly
South Lanarkshire Council has given the go-ahead to plans for more than 400 new homes in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang areas.
South Lanarkshire Council
Greenock freight terminal to double capacity
Greenock freight terminal could double the number of containers it handles under plans announced by owner Peel Ports. The five-year plan is linked to the expansion of the company’s hub at Liverpool.
BBC News
Former Dundee printing works to become £18m cultural hub
An £18 million project to regenerate a former Dundee printing works into a cultural and creative centre has been launched.
BBC News
Community bid lodged for Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Hospital
Residents have formally submitted a community bid for Edinburgh’s Sick Kids Hospital. Locals want the site used for affordable co-operative housing, healthcare and nursery facilities as well as space for social enterprises and a community hall.
Edinburgh Evening News
The administration has published draft guidance for land owners and land managers on the best way to engage local communities. This consultation is the next step in implementing the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.
Scottish Government
Scotland’s Futures Forum launches its ‘Scotland 2030’ programme
Scotland’s Futures Forum – the Scottish Parliament’s in-house think tank – has launched its latest initiative, which involves a consideration of what sort of country Scotland will be culturally and technologically by 2030.
Scottish Parliament
Shetland oil find ‘could be biggest of the century’
An oil discovery has been made near the Shetland Islands which has been described as potentially the biggest find in British waters this century.
The Scotsman
Campaign launched to make Inverness a cycle-friendly city
Highland Council is under pressure from walking and cycling enthusiasts who are demanding more action to improve active travel facilities in and around Inverness.
The Scotsman
Edinburgh’s biggest office building targets tech scene
The largest single office building in Edinburgh has opened after refurbishment to meet “unprecedented” demand from the city’s thriving technology sector.
The Scotsman
People move into Scotland's first town in decades
Residents have started moving in to what is claimed to be the first new town to be built in Scotland for 50 years. Tornagrain, which is being created on farmland near Inverness, will ultimately become a community of 12,000 people.
Herald Scotland
Queensferry Crossing opening delayed until between mid-July and end of August
The opening of the Queensferry Crossing has been postponed from May until between mid-July and the end of August, economy secretary Keith Brown told MSPs.
The Scotsman
Gleneagles in multimillion-pound plans to accommodate visitors in tepees
Gleneagles has unveiled a multimillion-pound plan to accommodate visitors to the luxury hotel in a “rural camp” providing tepees, luxury lodges, a spa, restaurants, bars, shops and an events space.
Herald Scotland
Affordable housing in Shetland, Borders and Fife has received a boost of £16 million, thanks to the Scottish Government’s investment in charitable bonds.
Scottish Government
Seal protection area at Ythan designated
A special protection area has been designated for seals at the mouth of the Ythan Estuary in Aberdeenshire. The move, approved by Holyrood's environment committee, makes it an offence to harass the mammals on the north bank of the river.
BBC News
New opportunities to get involved with the best of Scotland’s nature
Scottish Natural Heritage has joined forces with charity MyParkScotland to raise the profile of SNH’s National Nature Reserves.
Scottish Natural Heritage
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