Supporting Business and Employment Needs through the Planning System

Lichfields is undertaking research to explore the process of planning for business and employment needs at the local level across Scotland and how this works in practice.

Scottish Planning Policy states that Development Plans should "support existing business sectors, taking account of whether they are expanding or contracting". Local Authorities are required to undertake Business Land Audits, however, in our experience these often focus on the supply of sites, rather than future needs. To ensure that emerging opportunities are identified and planned for, it is therefore vital that the Business Land Audit process dovetails effectively with an area's wider economic evidence base.

As part of our Insight Programme, Lichfields is undertaking research to better understand how Local Authorities are currently managing the process in order to plan for business and employment needs in their area.

We would be grateful if you could complete the following short questionnaire. All responses will remain strictly confidential and will be presented in aggregate terms only.

Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners Limited (‘Lichfields’) is registered with the Information Commissioners Office (registration number Z6193122).  Your responses will be analysed by Lichfields. We are not seeking any personal data. All responses will remain strictly confidential and analysis will be presented in aggregate terms only.