The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland (RICS Scotland) has responded to the UK Government’s announcement yesterday that it will not go ahead with proposals for a Planning-gain Supplement.

The PGS proposals would have meant that builder would pay a levy to the Exchequer on developments, which in theory would help fund local infrastructure improvements. 

The Chancellor announced yesterday in his pre-Budget statement that instead of PGS, proposals will be brought forward for a similar system at local government level in England and Wales. 

 As such, the Scottish Government will now have to decide if any similar is to happen in Scotland, given that local government is an area devolved to Holyrood. 

Graeme Hartley, RICS Scotland Director said: 
"With the announcement yesterday that Planning-gain Supplement will not being going ahead for the UK, it will now be for the Scottish Parliament to legislate if a similar scheme is to exist in Scotland.”

“RICS Scotland supports the notion that any planning-gain should benefit the area in which a new development is constructed.  We will wait to see if the Scottish Government proposes to introduce a system of planning-gain for Scotland and if so, we will work closely with them and our members."

For further information, please contact Laura Butcher e lbutcher@rics.org  t +44 (0)131 240 0899 at RICS Scotland. 

To read the relevant section (page 103) of the pre-budget statement, please view the External Website section.