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

A round-up of planning news in Scotland: 21 November-27 November, 2015
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
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
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