The planning system operates in the long term public interest. It does not exist to protect the interests of one person or business against the activities of another.
In distinguishing between public and private interests, the basic question is whether the proposal would unacceptably affect the amenity and existing use of land and buildings which ought to be protected in the public interest, not whether owners or occupiers of neighbouring or other existing properties would experience financial or other loss from a particular development.
Planning plays a key role in ensuring that the development required to achieve economic growth in Scotland is managed in a sustainable way.
The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a strategy for the long-term development of Scotland's towns, cities and countryside which sets out the principals underpinning sustainable economic growth based on clear planning guidelines.
The framework sets out the shape of Scotland's future over the next 20 to 25 years and how to make that possible. It identifies key strategic infrastructure needs to ensure that each part of the country can develop to its full potential. These key projects sit above other major developments within a hierarchy of development that recognises the importance when submitting planning applications of distinguishing levels of public engagement and information provision that are related to the scale and importance of the development proposed.
We recognise the importance of sustained economic activity and have in place development plan policies supportive of such activity without unacceptable adverse impacts.