Attitudes towards planning in a devolved Scotland

Devolution has built upon and encouraged feelings of distinctiveness in Sco ttish Planning. However, beyond broad support there is little empirical evi dence or assessment of future trajectories for planning. Based upon a compr ehensive survey of planners across Scotland concerning attitudes towards pl anning post devolution this article highlights a number of important points . The main issue relates to the hiatus between high expectations and the pe rceived impact of the Parliament upon planning thus far. However, such expe ctations do not necessarily imply a divergence of planning between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Planners in Scotland, like their counterparts in E ngland and Wales, desire a more community based and effective planning syst em. The Scottish Parliament is therefore yet to justify itself to planners.