City co-signs new planning agreement

A NEW planning agreement between the city council and business leaders has been formally signed.

Councillor Jim Lowrie, the city's planning leader, and Robert Carr, president of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, have both signed the Edinburgh Planning Concordat.

The document outlines ways of improving relations between the planning authority and the development industry and is the result of two years of discussions.

Cllr Lowrie said: "It is in the national interest for the planning system to work efficiently and we must ensure that ours is as fair and open as possible."

Mr Carr added: "I am delighted to endorse this major agreement today. It enhances the attractiveness of Edinburgh as a place to invest and models how the public and private sector can work together for the good of business and the good of the community they serve."