1 June 2010
Transform Scotland Chair appears before TICC land use inquiry
Transform Scotland Chair, Paul Tetlaw, appeared before the TICC Committee on Tuesday 1 June, to give evidence on the relationship between transport and land use planning policies. This meeting followed the submission of written evidence by Transform Scotland. Appearing alongside Paul where John Lauder from Sustrans and Keith Irvine from Living Streets.
During the meeting Paul explained to the committee that Scotland and the UK had generally suffered from following the US model of land use planning, which has led to dispersed communities that are car dependent. This is contrasted with the European experience which has created more compact and sustainable communities. Recent research by Transform Scotland confirms that this is the result of deliberate and long term policies in many European countries aimed at reducing car dominance and dependency and creating more liveable communities which encourage walking and cycling.
The Committee was advised that there appears to be no need for new planning policies in Scotland as the existing ones do indeed recognise the need to follow the European model, however the problem lies in the application of these policies at all levels of government. Stronger political leadership is required to ensure that developers are clear as to the type of development that will be allowed.