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2011 Scottish Property Federation annual conference: Swinney pledges action to unlock development

The Scottish Government will tell Local Authorities to relax their demands on developers to help unlock stalled development schemes.

John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth,  revealed at the SPF annual conference that chief planner Jim McKinnon would write to local authorities asking them to relax planning agreements that were agreed before the credit crunch.

Swinney said: "There is no point local authorities saying 'that's what we did in 2007'.

"2007 development contracts in the 2011 market will just encourage stasis.

"Is that clearly understood and accepted in all Local Authorities in Scotland? Probably not.

"The chief planner is writing to local authorities to say the requirement for 25% affordable housing should be viewed with more relaxation than is currently the case.

Swinney said he wanted the property industry to make it clear to Government "where there is potential development that could assist economic activity but are thwarted by planning councillors that are difficult to overcome or where planning decisions are taken in different economic climate."

Malcolm Naish, chairman of the SPF, responding to Swinney's announcement said: "The willingness to be flexible about the way policy is interpreted is an extremely welcome development and one that is essential if Scotland is to show that it is open for business".

The sale and leaseback of public property, a key plank of the SPF political manifesto, is also to be considered, Swinney revealed.

He said: It is certainly an option and I certainly think that it should be explored. I do recognise that as a route that can open up capital investment."

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For more information please contact Paul Sweeney on 07841732194

Scottish Property Federation annual conference. Is Scotland Open for Business? One Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh

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