Cities and regions
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Investing in Scotland
£30 billion capital spending to 2030.
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Planning applications: key agency rapid planning audits
Independent report by Lead Reviewer, Paul Cackette summarising the review of five key agencies focused on streamlining consenting processes. The report includes 17 recommendations grouped within one of three themes: improving speed, reducing complexity and enhancing shared goals.
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National Planning Framework 4: delivery programme V4
Version 4 of the NPF4 delivery programme, updated approximately yearly to support implementation of the NPF. This programme sets out the actions that have been taken forward and informs our business plan.
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UK Cetacean Conservation Strategy: Fairer Scotland Duty - assessment not required declaration
Fairer Scotland Duty assessment screening for the UK Cetacean Conservation Strategy, concluding that a full assessment is not required.
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Supporting regional partnerships to drive growth
Empowering regions to make the decisions that are right for them.
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Transforming Granton Waterfront
Next stage of work to begin on major regeneration project.
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Understanding the changing nature and context of poverty in Scottish rural and island communities since 2010
Analysis of existing data to compare poverty trends and potential drivers across Scottish rural and island communities from 2010, with policy and research implications.
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Green Freeports Programme: island communities impact assessment
An assessment of the anticipated impact of the Green Freeports programme on island communities.
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Green Freeports Programme: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
An assessment of the anticipated impact of the Green Freeports programme on the human rights and wellbeing of children.
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Green Freeports Programme: business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA)
Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) of the Green Freeports Programme, assessing the costs, benefits and risks of the programme for public, private and third sector as well as regulators.
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Architecture and Design Scotland review: background report
A background report setting out the findings and recommendations for reform of the public body, Architecture and Design Scotland, following a review process by Scottish Government.
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Architecture and Design Scotland review: summary report
A summary of the key findings and recommendations for reform of the public body, Architecture and Design Scotland, following a review process by Scottish Government.
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NPF4 planning guidance: policy 2 - climate mitigation and adaptation
Planning guidance supporting the consistent, proportionate and effective application of National Planning Framework 4 Policy 2 on climate mitigation and adaptation.
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Investing in community regeneration
Projects to unlock economic growth and tackle poverty.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy - Gaelic version - Ro-innleachd Nàiseanta airson Seasmhachd an Aghaidh Thuiltean
Ro-innleachd Nàiseanta airson Seasmhachd an Aghaidh Thuiltean
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Rural Scotland - trajectories of young people and young adults: report
A report by the Scottish Government's Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population exploring the migration and mobility of young persons and young adults in rural Scotland.
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Planning, Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group: annual report 2024
Annual report covering the activities of the Planning Infrastructure and Place Advisory Group in 2024. Prepared in Collaboration with Scottish Futures Trust.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy: consultation analysis
Analysis of the responses to the National Flood Resilience Strategy consultation exercise.
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National flood resilience strategy: equality impact assessment and fairer Scotland duty assessment
The combined equality impact assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment for the National Flood Resilience Strategy.
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Flood Resilience Strategy: case studies
Examples of diverse initiatives around Scotland that are in some way contributing to our flood resilience.
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Effective community engagement in local development planning: guidance
Guidance to assist with engagement activities in the preparation of local development plans. It is part of measures introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 to put community voices at the heart of the planning system in Scotland.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy: Easy Read
The easy read version of the National Flood Resilience Strategy.
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National Flood Resilience Strategy
Sets out a vision for a flood resilient Scotland through to 2045 and beyond.
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Grangemouth refinery: economic contribution assessment
An assessment of the Grangemouth Refinery's recent economic contribution.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
Child rights and wellbeing impact assessment undertaken for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change: Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 - 2029 - easy read
Easy read version of the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-29. The Adaptation Plan sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change from 2024 to 2029.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: joint equalities impact assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty assessment
Joint equalities impact assessment and Fairer Scotland Duty assessment undertaken for Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment undertaken for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-29.
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Climate change: Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029
Sets out the actions that the Scottish Government and partners will take to respond to the impacts of climate change. This Adaptation Plan sets out actions from 2024 to 2029.
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Addressing East Ayrshire’s population challenges
Helping people stay, live and work in areas acutely affected by depopulation.
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Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods - planning guidance: final impact assessment report update
This impact assessment report update relates to our planning guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods which was produced to support the implementation of the policy framework within the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
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Community Right to Buy
Review of powers of communities to acquire land or buildings.
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The Environment Strategy for Scotland: Delivering the Environment Strategy Outcome on Scotland's Economy - Evidence Base & Policy Levers
This report presents evidence and initial recommendations on how the Scottish Government could use the available policy levers to support the transformations in Scotland’s economy needed to help tackle the climate and nature emergencies.
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Rural Scotland Data Dashboard: Overview
Report presenting data on a range of rural Scotland issues. This accompanies the Rural Scotland Data Dashboard 2023 which has been superseded by the 2025 Dashboard. There is no accompanying report with the Rural Scotland Data Dashboard 2025.
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Growing Glasgow’s economy
SG-backed masterplan to fuel Clyde transformation
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National Islands Plan review: consultation
We are consulting on a review of the National Islands Plan, published in 2019. This review is required by the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018. We are seeking views on the impact and content of the current National Islands Plan.
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National Islands Plan: implementation route map 2023
Details how we will deliver on the commitments in the National Islands Plan, over the coming year.
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Infrastructure Investment Plan 2021-22 to 2025-26: major capital projects progress update - March 2023
The following information relates to projects with a capital value of £5 million or more which are at the outline business case (or equivalent) approved stage or beyond.
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Just transition for the built environment and construction sector: a discussion paper
This discussion paper is intended to support engagement on a just transition for the built environment and construction sector. Building on this engagement, a draft targeted action plan and route map (late 23/24) will outline the key steps to delivering a fair transition for the sector.
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Just transition for the transport sector: a discussion paper
This discussion paper is intended to support engagement on a just transition for the transport sector. Building on this engagement, a draft targeted action plan and route map (late 23/24) will outline the key steps to delivering a fair transition for the sector.
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Transforming vacant and derelict land
Fifteen projects share £10 million.
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An investment in Scotland’s neighbourhoods
£27 million to support community projects.
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Green Freeports
Winning bids announced.
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COVID Economic Recovery Fund
New support package ahead of Strategic Framework Update.
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Grants to revitalise neighbourhoods
Funding of £25 million to support community projects and local economies.
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A New Future for Scotland's Town Centres
In June 2020 we launched an independent collaborative review of the progress and scope of the 2013 Town Centre Action Plan. The Review group was asked to build on our town centre first approach and develop a refreshed vision for our towns and the means to achieve it.
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A New Future for Scotland's Town Centres: easy read
Easy read version of A New Future for Scotland's Town Centres
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Community projects get £25 million funding
Investment in regeneration and to tackle inequality.
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£50 million for Falkirk
Funding for regional deal.
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Healthier, greener town centres
Optimising town centres for the aftermath of COVID-19.
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Landmark agreement to boost repopulation
Councils across the Highlands and Islands back Scottish Government policy.
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Tay Cities Region Deal
Scottish Government pledges £200 million investment.
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Edinburgh and South East City Region Deal
£1.3 billion investment given the green light.
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£90.2 million City Region Deal for Stirling and Clackmannanshire
Economic growth plan announced.
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Scottish electorate continues to rise
Number of people registered to vote in elections in Scotland has increased in 2017, according figures published by National Records of Scotland.
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Budget: Local Government funding settlement
Public services protected despite cuts to Scotland’s block grant.
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Budget sets out economic growth package
Economic expansion at centre of spending plans.
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Scotland’s Budget
Investing in the NHS, protecting low earners, backing Scotland’s economy.
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Beyond city deals
Next steps for city region deals outlined.
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Designing communities
People to have say in the design of their area.
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Record-breaking year for foreign direct investment
Scotland retains top UK region status outside London for foreign direct investment.
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Household numbers projected to rise in Scotland's National Parks and around its biggest cities
Figures published by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that number of households is projected to rise around Scotland’s biggest cities, and within its two National Parks.
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Support for cities
City Region Deals boosting jobs and local economies.
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Call for reassurance over European City of Culture
Brexit must not harm Dundee’s opportunity to host 2023 title.
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Backing for city deal
UK Government should commit to City Region Deals.
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£250m Aberdeen City Region Deal.
Signing completes agreement.
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Scotland's Agenda for Cities
Scotland's Agenda for Cities sets out the Scottish Government’s strategic framework for its future interaction with Scotland’s cities.