Attitudes Towards Planning in a Devolved Scotland

Devolution has built upon and encouraged feelings of distinctiveness in Scottish Planning. However, beyond broad support there is little empirical evidence or assessment of future trajectories for planning. Based upon a comprehensive survey of planners across Scotland concerning attitudes towards planning post devolution this article highlights a number of important points. The main issue relates to the hiatus between high expectations and the perceived impact of the Parliament upon planning thus far. However, such expectations do not necessarily imply a divergence of planning between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Planners in Scotland, like their counterparts in England and Wales, desire a more community based and effective planning system. The Scottish Parliament is therefore yet to justify itself to planners.