Introduction

Purpose of this Document

Development Planning Transport Appraisal Guidance (DPTAG) will help in the preparation of a transport appraisal to support decision making for Local Development Plans (LDPs).

This Guidance will:

• Demonstrate when a transport appraisal should be undertaken.
• Highlight policies to be considered in the appraisal process.
• Set out differing appraisal levels and when these are applicable.

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 was introduced as part of the Scottish Government’s reforms to the planning system and amended the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

The Act gave Scotland’s fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) enhanced status in the development plan process, whilst also introducing changes to reform the LDP plan-making processes. NPF4 contains 33 National Planning Policies.

Policy 13: Sustainable Transport directly references the need to undertake a proportionate transport appraisal and that developments should prioritise walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport for everyday travel.

Policy 18: Infrastructure First encourages, promotes and facilitates an early understanding of infrastructure needs, which puts infrastructure considerations at the heart of placemaking. It also promotes the NTS2 sustainable travel and investment hierarchies and that delivery of infrastructure to meet community needs is clear.

The Scottish Government’s LDP Guidance document, published in 2023, sets out the expectations for preparing and implementing Local Development Plans under the reformed planning system, including the range of factors to be considered during the process of land allocation. The need to undertake a proportionate transport appraisal is detailed within the LDP Guidance:

When Should DPTAG be Used?

DPTAG is to assist planning authorities in the development of their LDPs. NPF4 Policy 13 Sustainable Transport outlines that LDPs should be informed by an appropriate and effective transport appraisal undertaken in accordance with relevant guidance.

The Strategic Transport Network includes trunk roads, the rail network and the ferry network (including ferry terminals) for which the Scottish Government/Transport Scotland is responsible.

Transport Scotland must be consulted in relation to any appraisal where development has the potential to impact the Strategic Transport Network and also where mitigation measures may be required.

Early and continued engagement is encouraged. This will help to minimise risks in the transport appraisal and LDP preparation process, with all parties working towards ensuring that LDPs are fully informed by a robust and appropriate appraisal.

Transport Scotland’s Role in Planning

Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland, operating as an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Its main role is to deliver the government’s vision for transport as set out in the second National Transport Strategy (NTS2). It is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the trunk road and rail networks, forming part of the Strategic Transport Network. Transport Scotland is also responsible for overarching ferry policy and recognises the important role ferries have for island and peninsula communities and transport connectivity.

Aviation policy is a reserved matter and while offsetting the environmental impacts of aviation will be a challenge, there are real opportunities to work with the aviation sector to help Scotland succeed. Transport Scotland is committed to working collaboratively with Scottish airports to take measures to reduce emissions on the ground from both aircraft and surface vehicles. Transport Scotland can provide further advice on a case-by-case basis should any planning authority consider that its LDP spatial strategy or options should be appraised against aviation specifically. However, Transport Scotland would not expect authorities to appraise this as a matter of course and this guidance makes no further reference to aviation. Multimodal journeys to and from airports are expected to be considered as part of the wider LDP appraisal.

Transport Scotland has a statutory responsibility to assist in the preparation of LDPs, given the same status as a Key Agency as detailed within the LDP Guidance (2023); and in the determination of certain planning applications to ensure that impacts have been considered and addressed to allow the safe and efficient operation of the Strategic Transport Network.

Benefits of Transport Appraisal

A high quality transport appraisal that is proportionate and evidence- based:

• Provides a robust framework for considering land use and transport together, which will assist in the delivery of the plan.
• Will show how choices for the Strategic Transport Network affect the wider social, economic, environmental and safety policy aims of the plan.
• Will inform investment decision making for proposed enhancements to the Strategic Transport Network and, where relevant, comply with statutory approval processes for infrastructure schemes.
• Will support the identification of a clear funding and delivery pathway for land that is to be safeguarded for development, where there is an identified impact on the Strategic Transport Network.
• Will ensure an infrastructure first approach to planning and alignment with the NTS Sustainable Travel and Sustainable Investment Hierarchies.
• Encourages early collaboration and engagement between planning authorities and Transport Scotland to ensure appropriate use of public resources and that timescales are reasonable.
• May reduce appraisal burdens at the Development Management stage.

This Guidance highlights the different approaches that should be considered by planning authorities. This will help to enable agreement on the approach, strategy and transport interventions set out in LDPs as they affect the Strategic Transport Network.