Scottish round-up: Ministers consult on new land use strategy; New plans for the restoration of Scotland’s peatlands

Ministers consult on new land use strategy

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on the future of land use aimed at ensuring that land is managed in an integrated and sustainable way.

The Planner 

Committee concerned local authorities powerless to prevent betting shop over-provision

Concern over the clustering of betting shops in Scotland’s high streets has been voiced by the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government and Regeneration Committee, which has raised the issue with the Chair of the Review of the Scottish Planning System.

The Scottish Parliament 

Planning controls for hazardous substances

The administration has issued two planning circulars this week. One is on planning controls for hazardous substances and the other updates and consolidates advice on non-residential permitted development rights affecting sewerage undertakings, forestry and agricultural buildings and private ways and electronic communications code operators.

Scottish Government

Scottish Government asked to rule on Straiton film studio

Developers behind a new film and television studio development on the outskirts of Edinburgh have appealed their application on the grounds of non-determination by Midlothian Council.

Edinburgh News

£30m city deal investment

The first £30 million of investment taking place as part of the Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal has been confirmed for Inverclyde. More than £14 million will be spent expanding the quayside at Greenock’s Ocean Terminal. Meanwhile, about £9.4 million is being spent on a renewables hub at the Inchgreen dry dock. A further £4 million will be spent on improvements to the A78 at Inverkip.

Scottish Government 

Plans lodged for supermarket and 500 homes in Stonehaven

Fresh plans have been submitted for a 500-home development, plus a supermarket and business park on the outskirts of Stonehaven - one of Aberdeenshire’s biggest towns.

Press and Journal 

Plans launched to build student flats in Aberdeen city centre

Ardmuir Developments has lodged plans with Aberdeen City Council to build a 202-bed student accommodation block close to Aberdeen University on the corner of King’s Crescent and St Peter Street.

Press and Journal 

New plans for the restoration of Scotland’s peatlands

New proposals are being launched to restore Scotland’s moors, mires and bogs, protect rare wildlife and cut carbon emissions by 200 million tonnes.

The Herald Scotland 

Green light for Force 9 in Stirling

Force 9 Energy’s 21 megawatt Craigton and Spittalhill wind farm in the Fintry Hills has been approved on appeal after the scheme was originally refused by Stirling Council.

Re News

New heritage site threat to Royal High School scheme

Controversial plans to turn one of Edinburgh’s most celebrated landmarks into a new hotel have been dealt a blow after Scottish Natural Heritage warned that it would damage views of the city.

The Scotsman

A culture plan for the capital

A new ‘Culture Plan for the Capital’ has been developed to guide Edinburgh’s cultural future.

The City of Edinburgh Council 

Glasgow’s new economic strategy to focus on raising productivity and reducing health inequalities

The Leader of Glasgow City Council has announced plans for a new economic strategy for the city that will focus on increasing productivity and reducing health inequalities.

Glasgow City Council 

Councillors to back plans to create business districts in north-east towns

Councillors are expected to back proposals to ask firms in two towns in north-east Scotland to pay levies to create special business zones when they meet later this week. There is already support in Peterhead and Inverurie for plans to create the Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).

Press and Journal 

Glasgow Airport-city centre rail link plans unveiled

Two options to provide a rail link between Glasgow city centre and Glasgow Airport have been announced. A tram-train and a light rail link have been put forward, with the former considered to be the best-performing option offering the best value for money.

Press and Journal 

Applecross hydro project exceeds investment target

A community-run hydro electric scheme project in Applecross in Wester Ross has attracted hundreds of thousands of pounds from investors.

BBC News 

National park residents in dispute over plans for ‘monstrosity’ in village

Residents of the picturesque village of Carrick Castle say their fears over plans for a new multi-purpose hunting lodge have been ignored by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park authority.

The Herald Scotland 

War declared on developers in bid to protect Culloden

Members of Highland Council are poised to back plans for an exclusion zone five times the size of the buffer currently protecting historic Culloden Battlefield from developers.

Press and Journal 

Jobs lost as wave energy firm Aquamarine Power folds

Edinburgh-based wave energy company Aquamarine Power has been forced to stop trading after it failed to find a buyer.

BBC News

Edinburgh City Deal moving forward

Edinburgh’s £1 billion City Region Deal has moved a step closer as chancellor George Osborne refers to hoped-for City Deals for Aberdeen and Inverness in his Autumn Statement this week.

Edinburgh News

Tidal project to link Workington with Kirkcudbright

Plans have been drawn up for a multi-million pound tidal energy project that would link the south-west of Scotland with Cumbria.

BBC News