'I won't chain staff to desks,' says John Swinney after planning row

JOHN Swinney has leapt to the defence of his under-fire chief planner for helping Sir David Murray to launch a controversial green belt development in Edinburgh.

• Swinney: Behind green belt proposal Photograph: PA

The finance secretary insisted Mr Mackinnon's integrity was not in doubt, despite the official praising the 1 billion scheme earmarked for a huge site near Edinburgh Airport as "an exciting development".

Mr Swinney has stepped into the growing row over Mr Mackinnon's involvement with the Murray Estates scheme, which would see 600 acres of green belt land developed, after the chief planner lavished praise on the businessman and his plans to create a "lasting legacy" for the nation with the project.

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He said: "We will not change culture or improve engagement in the planning system by chaining key officials to their desks in Victoria Quay or prevent them from endorsing good practice.

"I wholeheartedly support the leadership and visibility that Mr Mackinnon has brought to the chief planner's role, including his opening of this event.

"Let me also make it clear his integrity and his passion for improving the planning system are not in doubt.

"I do not in any way question the propriety of the attendance of the chief planner at the (Murray Estates] event, nor was there any need to seek my specific agreement."

Mr Mackinnon's decision to give the opening speech at a 400,000 consultation paid for by Sir David's company has been criticised by senior city council figures - who will eventually rule on the project - MSPs, planning experts and architects.

Critics have raised questions over Mr Mackinnon's propriety and the integrity of the planning process after he spoke of Sir David's "passion and sincerity" and threw his weight behind the way the scheme was being progressed by his "impressive" team.

The Scottish Government has admitted Mr Mackinnon has given similar presentations at speeches at two other planning "charrettes" which developers are being encouraged to stage to widen consultation on major developments.

The government will have to rule on whether to lift the protected status of the green belt land which Sir David wants to develop. It will almost certainly have to rule on the development, dubbed "Edinburgh's Garden District", if the level of objection triggers a public inquiry.

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In a response to Edinburgh Pentlands MSP David McLetchie, who had protested to Mr Swinney about the chief planner's involvement with Murray Estates, Mr Swinney said it was "extremely important" that the chief planner and his staff be allowed to promote public engagement in the planning process.

However he admitted he had not known of Mr Mackinnon's decision to make the opening presentation at the event.

Mr McLetchie said: "I was very surprised to read what Jim Mackinnon said at this event. It was not a very good idea to go to this event anyway, but I'd have thought the chief planner would have been a lot more circumspect. It does give the impression that he is helping to endorse the development."

A spokeswoman for Murray Estates said: "Any questions concerning Jim Mackinnon should be addressed to him or his employees."