Planning changes on the drawing board

The changes will influence the future look of Scotland

Sweeping changes to the way that Scotland's councils plan for the future have been outlined by the Scottish Executive.

The shake-up will see a single planning system introduced for much of Scotland, replacing the present two-tier structure and local plans.

But Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow will become "city regions", which will keep the two-tier system.

There will also be a national blueprint for Scotland - although this will not amount to a national plan and will not have legal force.

Margaret Curran outlined the changes

Social justice minister Margaret Curran outlined the changes which are said to offer Scotland a framework as to how it will develop and change over the next 20 years.

The overhaul has emerged from a review of strategic planning and are part of a wider look at how Scotland should plan for the future.

As part of that process the executive earlier this week announced that the regeneration of Scotland's most deprived areas is to put more emphasis on education and health.

Another part of the wider look is a review of Scotland's cities, the results of which are to be announced in the autumn.

Ms Curran said: "The decision to begin the preparation of a national planning framework is clear evidence that the executive is looking forward and outward, considering the issues that we might have to face in the longer term."

She added: "Using a modern planning system and improved public services, we are fitting Scotland together, from its poorest communities through to its most prosperous cities."