Planning Gain Supplement

Stewart Hosie
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what the threshold will be for exemption from the Planning Gain Supplement; and whether this will be based on (a) area and (b) value of development;

(2) whether there will be exemptions to the Planning Supplement for (a) renewable energy and (b) other classes of development.

John Healey
The Government published a consultation paper on the proposed Planning Gain Supplement in the 2005 pre-Budget report. This included details on the scope of PGS, including proposals for minimum thresholds and exemptions. Further announcements on PGS will be made by the end of the year.

Stewart Hosie
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) how Planning Gain Supplement levies will be (a) collected and (b) distributed; and which agencies will be eligible to receive money to spend on infrastructure;

(2) what guidance will be issued to relevant authorities on what investment can be paid for by the levies raised by the Planning Gain Supplement.

John Healey
The Government published a consultation paper on the proposed Planning Gain Supplement in the 2005 pre-Budget report. This included a chapter on the allocation of PGS revenues; further to this the Government stated at Budget 2006 that it will ensure that a significant majority of PGS revenues are retained for infrastructure priorities within the local authority area where the revenues derived. The remainder would be dedicated to strategic infrastructure of regional importance.

Further announcements on PGS’s implementation will be made by the end of the year.

Stewart Hosie
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what meetings have been held between his Department and Scottish Executive officials to discuss the proposals for a Planning Gain Supplement.

John Healey
The consultation document published alongside the 2005 pre-Budget report indicated that if introduced, a Planning Gain Supplement (PGS) would apply throughout the UK. The Government continue to work closely with the Scottish Executive on the interaction of PGS with devolved policy areas. Further announcements on PGS will be made by the end of the year.