Scotland round-up: RICS backs RTPI over case for independent Housing Land Corporation; Scotland leading onshore wind turnover

RICS backs RTPI over case for independent Housing Land Corporation

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has come down firmly in favour of the creation of an independent Housing Land Corporation (HLC) to increase land supply and facilitate house building in Scotland.

The Planner

Scotland leading onshore wind turnover

Scotland is taking the lead in using onshore wind while England is lagging behind and missing some of the economic benefits.

The Planner

RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2016 open for entry

Entries for the 14 categories for the RTPI Awards for Planning Excellence 2016 are now open.

The Planner

Panel of experts asks for input into local plan review

The panel set up to consider how best to streamline the local plan-making process is inviting the views of planning, property and local government professionals as well as other stakeholders.

The Planner

RTPI 2016 vice-president announced

The RTPI has announced the results of this year’s elections, including the position of 2017 president.

The Planner

Moratorium on underground coal gasification

The Scottish Government has put in place a moratorium on underground coal gasification (UCG) in Scotland while it carries out thorough and wide-ranging research into the activity.

Scottish Government

SPRI shows overall decline in greenhouse gases from Scottish industry

Figures released by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have shown a 9 per cent drop in total greenhouse gases emissions from industrial sources from 2013 to 2014.

Scottish Environment Protection Agency

Largest solar power farm in Scotland ready for the sun

Scotland's largest solar power farm is ready to be connected to the National Grid after six months of construction.

BBC News

Plans submitted for Arnold Palmer's first Scottish course

Detailed plans have been submitted to Highland Council for US golf legend Arnold Palmer’s first golf course in Scotland which is earmarked for a site near Inverness.

BBC News

Raasay distillery plans submitted to Highland Council

A planning application has been submitted to Highland Council for Raasay’s first whisky distillery.

BBC News

Activists urge Royal High School luxury hotel plan axe

Britain’s leading heritage campaign group has stepped up the pressure on Edinburgh’s councillors to reject plans to turn one of the city’s most celebrated buildings into a luxury hotel.

The Scotsman

Edinburgh tram inquiry: Six million documents to be examined

The public hearing into the Edinburgh trams project, which was delivered five years behind schedule and well over budget, has begun.

BBC News

Perth City Hall food market plan approved by council

Perth and Kinross councillors have backed a plan to turn Perth City Hall into a food market rather than a hotel.

BBC News

Tesco site in Fort William bought for new hospital

Highland Council has bought land in Fort William from Tesco for £2 million and made it available for a replacement to the town’s ageing Belford Hospital. A science academy could also be built on part of the three-hectare site.

BBC News

Borders Railway journeys top 125,000 in first month of operation

More than 125,000 journeys have been made on the new Borders Railway during its first month in operation, says ScotRail.

BBC News

Brand new £3m cycle route on Great Glen unveiled

A new £3 million cycle route has been completed along the Great Glen, which connects Fort William to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.

The Scotsman

Hebridean island to get £1.7m ferry port upgrade

The Hebridean island of Kerrera is set to benefit from a £1.7 million upgrade to its ferry berthing facilities.

The Scotsman

Aberdeen City Council appoints development partner for housing delivery

Aberdeen City Council has named Places for People Group as the preferred bidder for a £300 million deal aimed at delivering 2,000 homes by 2017.