§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what evaluation his Department has made of the capacity of the planning system to absorb a new(a) low-impact and (b) permaculture use class into existing guidelines; and what assessment he has made of the advantages of this policy; [3367]
(2) what research his Department has (a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into the advantages of establishing a permaculture use class within the planning system; and if he will make a statement. [3377]
§ Mr. KynochThe Scottish Office has not planned, commissioned or evaluated any research on the subject of low-impact or permaculture use classes. The existing use classes, set out in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Scotland) Order 1989, are based on the actual use of buildings or land. Each class is made up of uses which are similar in nature and in their impacts on the environment and amenity. Their purpose is to determine whether a change of use requiring planning consent has taken place. Introducing new use classes based only on environmental impacts would not be practicable as they would be incompatible with existing use classes and other planning legislation. Environmental impacts are material considerations to be taken into account in determining individual planning applications.
§ Mr. JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment his Department had made of the capacity of the planning system to accommodate low-impact development; and if he will make a statement; [3356]
(2) what research his Department has (a) planned, (b) commissioned and (c) evaluated into establishing practical criteria for assessing sustainable and low-impact developments, with particular regard to rural areas; and if he will make a statement. [3268]
§ Mr. KynochThe Scottish Office has not planned, commissioned or evaluated any research specifically on the subject of assessing sustainable and low-impact developments. However, the Scottish Office provides a range of guidance, advice and support designed to encourage sustainable development in rural areas which benefits local residents. The planning system is designed to be flexible enough to assess and accommodate all types318W of development. Each planning application is considered on its own merits, taking account of all material considerations which apply in that particular case.