Scotland round-up: Strategic development plans should be replaced, says Scottish planning review; Scottish Parliament votes to ban fracking

Strategic development plans should be replaced, says Scottish planning review

A report reviewing the Scottish planning system has been published, which recommends that a National Planning Framework should replace strategic development plans.

The Planner

Scottish Parliament votes to ban fracking

The Scottish Parliament has voted to support an outright ban on fracking after Scottish National Party MSPs abstained.

The Planner 

Government won’t meet soil sustainability ambition, warns Environmental Audit Committee

The failure to prevent soil degradation could increase the risk of flooding, lower food security and greater carbon emissions, says the committee's latest report.

The Planner

Church of Scotland chairman says communities should help pay for upkeep of church buildings

Communities that value their local church buildings should help pay for their upkeep as a way to safeguard the future of some crumbling landmarks, suggests the Church of Scotland.

Herald Scotland 

Channel Tunnel engineer unveils plans for high-speed monorail to Glasgow Airport

A retired engineer who helped design the Channel Tunnel has drawn up plans for a seven-mile monorail linking Glasgow Airport to the city centre in the latest bid to solve the hub’s transport challenges.

Herald Scotland

Sturgeon urged to prioritise roll-out of Norway-style district heating schemes

Nicola Sturgeon should push ahead with the roll-out of Scandinavian-style district heating schemes as a priority, says a coalition of environmental and green energy interests.

Herald Scotland

Borders village expansion plans approved

Plans that could increase the size of a Berwickshire village by about half have been approved by councillors on Scottish Borders Council.

BBC News

Borders Railway beats forecast passenger levels by 22%

Latest figures show almost 700,000 people travelled on the Borders Railway during its first six months of operation, 22 per cent more than was forecast for the route from Edinburgh to Tweedbank.

BBC News

Third Don crossing to open in Aberdeen next week

The third Don crossing in Aberdeen is to open next week, following months of delays. The £22 million road bridge linking Danestone and Tillydrone is aimed at easing congestion in the north of the city.

BBC News 

North East to benefit from £1.3m cycle route and walkway investment

The north-east of Scotland is set to benefit from a £1.3 million investment in cycling and walking projects and infrastructure.

Herald Scotland 

Plan to build sewage plant in Highland village is appalling, says Dame Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren has backed a last-ditch campaign to block the building of a controversial sewage plant at Ardersier on the Moray Firth, where she got married.

Herald Scotland

Sir David Murray’s firm to build hundreds of homes on green belt

Plans to build more than 1,300 homes on Edinburgh’s green belt have been rubber-stamped by the full city council. Murray Estates, controlled by former Rangers owner Sir David Murray, has been granted planning permission for the first phase of the new 250-hectare "garden district" by councillors.

BBC News