Following the publication of a revised planning policy (SPP3) by the Scottish Government, which is designed to encourage the building of high quality homes across Scotland, the Liberal Democrats have called for more action to be taken to deal with the blockages which stop house building initiatives from getting off the ground.

In a statement, Scottish Liberal Democrat Housing spokesperson, Jim Tolson MSP said:

"Simplifying the planning system to tackle the blockages which delay house building across the country is long overdue.

"The Housing Supply Task Force should now lay out a set of recommendations which will have practical impact on delivery of construction, such as increased investment in water and sewerage to enable rural and remote areas to support sustainable housing.

"If the Government remains committed to abolishing all unintentional homelessness by 2012 and wants to achieve anything like 35,000 new housing units to be built each year by 2015, then the issue of blockages and supply must be addressed sooner rather than later."