Simplified planning zones, land development and planning policy in Scotland: An unquiet revolution

Simplified planning zones (SPZs) were introduced in the Housing and Planning Act 1986 as an alternative approach to land use planning in designated areas. SPZs were intended to encourage land development by private sector interests rather than regulating in the traditional manner. SPZs are justified on the grounds of minimizing the perceived compliance costs imposed by the land use planning system on firms, landowners and developers. This article traces the legislative history of SPZs and examines the various revisions to the SPZ idea which have been effected by government.