Infrastructure Strategy 2027-2037: consultation

Annex A - IIP 21-27 evaluation

We completed an evaluation considering the impact that the current IIP document has had on stakeholders’ understanding and decision making. It was intended to provide useful and timely feedback for the drafting of the new Infrastructure Strategy. The evaluation consisted of four focus groups (involving internal SG staff, and external stakeholders), and a subsequent short review of key documents raised in the focus groups.

Summary Findings

On the scale of the challenge facing Scotland on infrastructure, participants expressed views that this had increased, with deep concern about affordability, and how major issues could be tackled for example on transport, housing, drainage, climate adaptation and wider resilience.

Participants were asked about the timescale for a new IIP. Majority of participants supported a longer-term perspective for a vision or framework.

On the three themes in the current IIP, it was noted these were very broad. A suggestion was made that environmental goals might now specifically include climate adaptation, or possibly even a wider theme of resilience.

Some participants discussed the role for the new IIP to act as a prospectus to help lever in private sector investment.

Some participants discussed the scope for greater focus on the spatial dimensions of the plan, with a local or regional focus.

The findings were published as lessons learned.^[20]