A better planning system is needed if Scotland is to see economic growth in the future, it has been suggested.

In a draft version of the Scottish Planning Policy 3: Planning for Housing (SPP 3), it was claimed councils need to form stronger links with other local authorities and network partners on the assessment of land usable for housing.

By using a mixture of information sources, including need and demand, it was suggested that people working for public sector bodies will be able to identify housing requirements that will be embedded in long-term development plans.

In turn, such news could be of interest to those seeking planning jobs.

Stewart Stevenson, planning minister, said: "If Scotland is to benefit from more sustainable economic growth, we must build more homes to higher standards

"A modern, efficient, planning system is key to unlocking that."

In addition, the draft SPP 3 proposes that standards of energy efficiency and sustainability in relation to new homes are improved.

Meanwhile, it was reported that Scottish councils must have an open space strategy in place when reviewing planning applications, so as to help protect existing open land and deliver healthier, greener and safer networks for new spaces.

More about network partners.