{"id":28739,"date":"2020-12-29T17:24:02","date_gmt":"2020-12-29T17:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsblogsnew.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=28739"},"modified":"2020-12-29T17:24:02","modified_gmt":"2020-12-29T17:24:02","slug":"digital-planning-could-benefit-scottish-economy-by-200m-says-rtpi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=28739","title":{"rendered":"Digital planning could benefit Scottish economy by \u00a3200m, says RTPI"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Scottish economy could benefit to the tune of more than \u00a3200m over the next ten years by introducing digital planning services, according to a study by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in Scotland.<\/h3>\n
image: for illustration purposes only – Open Government Licence v3.0<\/em><\/h6>\n

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\u2026 savings of up to 28 per cent \u2026 in terms of a planner\u2019s time\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

\u2026up to \u00a3200m generated in economic benefits\u2026\u00a35.5m income generated over 10 years\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/h2>\n

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) writes:<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Benefits of Investing in a Digital Planning Service research series<\/a>\u00a0was commissioned by the Scottish Government to inform its forthcoming Digital Planning Strategy, \u201cTransforming Places Together: Scotland\u2019s Digital Strategy for Planning\u201d, which will be launched on 24 November 2020.<\/p>\n

The RTPI is proud to have informed the strategy by coordinating a programme of work analysing the need, demand and possible impacts of digital planning. The Institute also welcomes the proposed \u00a335m investment in it over the next five years.<\/p>\n

Craig McLaren, director of RTPI Scotland, said: \u201cOur research demonstrates not only the economic and societal benefits arising from digital transformation but also the efficiencies that can be realised within the planning system from investment in new technology.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the standout findings is that by introducing a digital planning system, savings of up to 28 per cent could be made in terms of a planner\u2019s time. We have seen a 25 per cent reduction in planning staff across local authorities over the last 10 years, so this potential increase in capacity would be very welcome indeed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur economic, customer and policy impact analyses have also revealed the positive benefits a digital approach could have on Scottish government aspirations on its net zero carbon targets, in tackling health inequalities and as part of a post-Covid19 recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n

The key benefits over the next 10 years include:<\/p>\n