The Scottish Government has not requested an extension, as full compliance with the nitrogen dioxide limit value in the Glasgow Urban Area zone is not expected until 2017, after the maximum extension deadline for 2015 is allowed under the ambient air quality directive. A further 15 zones across the UK are not expected to comply until after 2015. Most other member states also have zones which fall into this category. Modelling data suggests that compliance will be secured by completion of the upgrade to motorway standard of the missing link on the M8, between Baillieston and Newhouse.

The Scottish Government has been engaging with stakeholders on a range of issues in relation to environmental justice, including in relation to proposals for court rules for Protective Expenses Orders and civil courts reform. These discussions will be taken into account in developing an options paper on an environmental court.

The Scottish Government is undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), as required by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. SEA is undertaken to ensure that the environmental effects of plans, programmes and strategies, and reasonable alternatives to them, are identified and taken into account. The findings of the assessment will be set out in an Environmental Report, which will be published for public consultation alongside the Main Issues Report for NPF3 and the Draft SPP in March 2013.

Planning legislation requires Ministers to exercise their functions in relation to the preparation of the National Planning Framework with the objective of contributing to sustainable development. Similar requirements are placed upon planning authorities in exercising their functions with regard to development planning. guidance on the five guiding principles of sustainable development is set out in the existing Scottish Planning Policy.

The National Planning Framework and Scottish Planning Policy play key roles in delivering economic growth in a balanced and sustainable way. The Scottish Government is currently at an early stage of developing both documents. Alignment with the National Performance Framework will be a consideration in their development.

Development plans require Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) under the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. Schedule 3 of the 2005 Act requires provision of a statement on proposed monitoring of environmental impacts within the Environmental Report. At the national level, monitoring of the National Planning Framework is undertaken on an ongoing basis. Monitoring findings, including those arising from the SEA, are set out in the NPF2 Monitoring Report, published in March 2012.

Creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth remains the Scottish Government’s central Purpose. The Scottish Government is clear that National Planning Framework 3 will provide a long-term strategy for development to ensure all parts of Scotland can realise their potential, with the revised Scottish Planning Policy also providing a focus on placemaking across urban and rural Scotland.

The Scottish Government is undertaking a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and the Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), as required by the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. SEA is undertaken to ensure that the environmental effects of plans, programmes and strategies, and reasonable alternatives to them, are identified and taken into account. The findings of the assessment will be set out in an Environmental Report, which will be published for public consultation alongside the Main Issues Report for NPF3 and the Draft SPP in March 2013.

Development of NPF3 will also include use of the Scottish Government’s Spatial Planning Assessment of Climate Emissions tool, to inform understanding of the likely relative greenhouse gas emissions arising from alternative policy options.

Scottish Planning Policy (2010) identifies the protection and enhancement of the natural and built environment as part of the purpose of planning. The current engagement on a review of Scottish Planning Policy seeks views on what should change and what should remain. A form on which views can be submitted is available from the Scottish Government’s website.