A series of proposed changes to Scotland’s planning regime could cost the system more than a billion pounds and leave it incapable of functioning properly, according to the Scottish arm of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

MSP opponents of the Scottish government’s plans to streamline the planning system labelled the original proposals a “missed opportunity” and tabled more than 200 amendments to the bill which they say have introduced more than 90 new duties and responsibilities.

These changes included requiring planning authorities to consider the provision of public toilets, water refill stations and “play opportunities” for young people in local development plans, greater protection for music venues when new developments were planned nearby, and doubling the time period for representations to be made on a proposed development from six to 12 weeks.

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