Transport Scotland encourages local authorities and developers to give early notification with regard to proposals for developments near to trunk roads. This will help to determine their potential impact on the trunk road network and allow the nature and scale of transport interventions required to be identified.
The main purpose of the trunk road network is to provide for the safe and efficient movement of long distance through traffic. To ensure this we need to have strict limits on the number of direct accesses onto trunk roads and ensure the full implications of development proposals on traffic and road safety are taken into account. So we are keen to encourage discussions from the outset of the development process where planning authorities have emerging development plans.
We also encourage local authorities to undertake the appropriate transport/traffic modelling exercises and afford access to Transport Scotland’s Land Use Transport Integration In Scotland (LATIS) service to provide support and assistance in this process.
Legal Requirements
The Planning Authority is required to consult the Scottish Government under Article 15(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) (Scotland) Order 1992 before granting planning permission in certain cases including for any development within 67 metres of a trunk road, where the development includes the formation, laying out or alteration of any means of access to a trunk road and where a development is likely to increase the volume or type of traffic entering or leaving a trunk road. This consultation is referred to Transport Scotland the Scottish Government agency and where there is any doubt over the potential impact of a development proposal on the trunk road network Transport Scotland should be consulted.
Transport Scotland encourages early discussions with regard to development proposals and the requirements to determine their potential impact on the trunk road network. This will allow the nature and scale of transport interventions required to be identified.
Sustainable Development
The planning system guides the future development and use of land in the long term public interest to ensure that development and changes in land use occur in suitable locations and are sustainable. The planning system and the compliance with its associated policies and guidance are critical in delivering Transport Scotland’s commitment to a more sustainable, effective, integrated transport system.
Development proposals are required to comply with current planning policy and guidance regarding sustainable development. Particularly relevant policy and advice is set out in the Scottish Planning Policy.
Guidance on Transport Scotland’s role within the development management process which is intended to assist all parties involved in the process is detailed in Transport Scotland’s publication “Development Management Guidance – March 2007".
