New legislation laid in the Scottish Parliament
Members and affiliates working in Scotland should be aware that due to COVID-19, Scottish Parliament has deferred some commencement dates relating to Planning.
The Scottish Government has today laid the following Scottish Statutory Instruments before the Scottish Parliament:
- The Town and Country Planning (Miscellaneous Temporary Modifications) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2021
- The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 (Commencement No.6 and Transitional Provision) (Scotland) Regulations 2021
- Town and Country Planning (Cairnryan Border Control Posts) (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Special Development) Amendement Order 2021
Subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, the regulations are due to come into force on 29 September 2021 and the SDO amendment on 1 October 2021. Details of the effect of the new provisions are described in the relevant policy note for each SSI, available through the above links (see 'More Resources').
Broadly, the first two sets of regulations roll forward the current position with Coronavirus Modifications to Planning legislation for a further 6 months to 31 March 2022. The exception is that the requirement for Local Review Body meetings to be held in public will apply again from 1 October 2021.
Coronavirus modifications regarding environmental impact assessment reports will remain in place.
The SDO Amendment Order provides for a wider range of functions to be carried out at any border facility serving the ports at Cairnryan in Dumfries and Galloway that is consented under the SDO.