Current status: Answered by Joe FitzPatrick on 20 April 2023
To ask the Scottish Government what specific steps it is taking to address the reported long-term decline in the number of local authority-employed planners, in light of such planners having a significant role in delivering the ambitions of the new National Planning Framework.
In April 2022 increased planning fees came into effect providing much needed additional resource to Planning Authorities. Whilst the use of this additional resource is a matter for individual authorities, some authorities have reported that the fee increase has allowed them to retain or recruit new members of staff.
We are committed to continuing to work with Heads of Planning Scotland, the Royal Town Planning Institute and other stakeholders on training and skills. The Future Planners Project, commissioned by the Scottish Government, was carried out between January – April 2022. The project focused on exploring the options available to support the growth of entrants into the planning profession in Scotland. We are currently working with the Royal Town Planning Institute and Heads of Planning Scotland to implement the recommendations of the report.