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National infrastructure projects, including a high speed rail link to London, have been identified in the Scottish Government's National Planning Framework 2 (NPF), published yesterday.

Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson said the document outlined a vision for Scotland's development to 2030. It includes a list of 14 national developments with the potential to support economic recovery and increase sustainable economic growth well into the future.

The NPF has been agreed following extensive periods of public consultation and parliamentary scrutiny. The final national developments, which now includes a high speed rail link from central Scotland to London and the Central Scotland Green Network, are:

• Replacement Forth Crossing
• West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements
• High Speed Rail Link to London
• Strategic Airport Enhancements (for access)
• Grangemouth Freight Hub
• Additional Container Freight Capacity on the Forth
• Port developments on Loch Ryan
• Scapa Flow Container Transhipment Facility
• New Power Station and Transhipment Hub at Hunterston
• New Non-Nuclear baseload Capacity at other existing Power Station Sites
• Electricity Grid Reinforcements
• Central Scotland Green Network
• Metropolitan Glasgow Strategic Drainage Scheme
• 2014 Commonwealth Games Facilities

Mr Stevenson said:

"The purpose of the NPF is to identify clear priorities for the development of Scotland's national infrastructure, including transport and renewable energy. It is on top of our massive £3.5 billion annual infrastructure investment programme, which is providing a host of modern facilities and many other infrastructure projects fit for 21st century Scotland.

"We have responded positively to the views of parliament and included two additional national developments, the High Speed Rail Link to London and Central Scotland Green Network which have strengthened the role of the NPF2 in supporting economic recovery, reducing carbon emissions and increasing sustainable economic growth well into the future - key priorities of the Scottish Government.

"It contributes to our efforts to create a joined-up planning and development regime which aids efforts to increase sustainable economic growth, building on the commitment in our economic recovery programme to ensure all government activity, including planning, supports economic development.

"The NPF has been subject to a wide-ranging consultation and subsequent period of parliamentary scrutiny. We now have a set of national developments that will create opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, while helping to position our economy for a stronger recovery."

Inclusion as a national development in the NPF establishes the need for the projects in the national interest. Planning (and other permissions as necessary) will still be required. Any subsequent examination on national developments would focus on matters such as siting, design and the mitigation of environmental impacts rather than re-opening the question of need.

The NPF maps out the key policies, strategies and developments that Scotland needs. It identifies the critical elements of our national infrastructure: transport, energy, waste, water and drainage, flood protection and communications technology. It addresses spatial issues of national importance for all parts of Scotland, providing a robust context for development planning and enabling each part of Scotland to play to its strengths.

National developments must: make a significant contribution to Scotland's sustainable economic development; strengthen Scotland's links with the rest of the world; deliver strategic improvements in internal connectivity; make a significant contribution to the achievement of renewable energy, waste management and climate change targets; are essential elements of a programme of investment in national infrastructure; or raise strategic issues of more than regional importance.

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2006 requires Scottish Ministers to prepare or review the National Planning Framework (NPF) within five years. Planning authorities will now have to take account of the final NPF when preparing development plans and making planning application decisions.

The Scottish Government will commission research to identify potential ways of ensuring that carbon impact assessment can inform the NPF and development plans.

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