Introduction
Over the past 5 years the Scottish planning system has gone
through significant change all intended to make that system more
effective and fit for purpose. While those changes were not
initiated by the current minority Government, they accepted the
process that was ongoing when they came into power and followed it
through, essentially as a tool in achieving their over arching
purpose of "creating a more successful country, through
increasing sustainable economic growth".
Their aspirations in that regard to a large extent have been
overtaken by a significant deterioration in the UK and global
economy. It is salutary to think that just 3 or 4 years ago there
were aspirations in Scotland to construct an economy that was as
dynamic and significant as those found in Iceland and Ireland
– 2 countries with very severe economic problems now.
