Image source, bbc

Communities Secretary Angela Constance begins by saying, as a member of the cabinet, she cannot comment on individual planning cases.

Ms Constance says green space contributes to our quality of life, or health and our wellbeing.

She says planning should protect and promote green space and points to measures in the Planning Bill, external.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon calls for the purpose of planning to be put on the face of the bill.

The minister accepts it is important people understand the purpose of planning and this will be looked into.

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP Monica Lennon says: "If we are to be ambitious for out communties right across Scotland, we need a planning system that is really transformative."

Ms Lennon says the system is stacked in the developer's favour and says communities don't have the same resources.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Fulton Macgregor says it is important to have open space to fit with the play agenda and the health agenda.

Mr Macgregor says he is reassured the government takes the issue of green belt sites seriously.

He declines to take an intervention as he wishes to focus on local issue within his time.

The SNP MSP says Alex Neil, whose consittuency Woodhall and Faskine is in, cannot make today's debate as is attending a funeral and says his colleague sends his apologies.

Image source, bbc

Green MSP Andy Wightman commends the concept but says green belts are not fit for purpose, saying ideas about planning have moved on since 1947.

Mr Wightman says the hard edges of green belts are no longer the best planning practie.

He calls for legislation that strengthens the protection of green areas.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell says with obesity reaching record levels we should be encouraging exercise and the protection of green belt sites.

"The value of protecting these green belt areas cannot be overtstated."

That's why brown belt sites should be developed, not green belt areas, she says.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Richard Lyle says: "Families cannot live withouth a home and we must balance between looking after the envirnonment and economic growth."

Mr Lyle says the Scottish Tories are working under a double standard as down south their party builds on the Green Belt.

The SNP MSP asks if the Tories prefer homeless people to selective development, but repeatedly refuses to take an interention, saying he doe not have time.

"This debate is, in the end, about where power lies," says Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard.

He expresses concern that decisions made by local councillors can be overturned by someone in central government.

He urges the right of appeal to be considered as the Planning (Scotland) Bill passes through parliament.

We must promote the ballot box above the boardroom, he concludes.

Living in an urban area with green spaces has a long-lasting positive impact on people's mental well-being, a study suggested in 2014.

UK researchers found moving to a green space had a sustained positive effect, unlike pay rises or promotions, which only provided a short-term boost.

The authors said the results indicated that access to good quality urban parks was beneficial to public health.

The findings appear in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

Read more here.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson says the area "should and could be enhanced".

Greenbelts are more than just a boundary between urban and rural areas, he says, noting they provide a natural ecosystem and are important in preventing floods.

Accepting there is a need for more houses to be built, Mr Simpson argues they need to be located appropriately.

The MSP highlights the importance of green space access for improving population health.

"We must do all we can to protect out environment from being destroyed."

Mr Simpson confirms he will be tabling an amendment to the Planning (Scotland) Bill to include a mechanism to protect the environment.

The Save Woodhall and Faskine group is opposing proposals to build on the greenbelt land on the Woodhall and Faskine estate in North Lanarkshire.

The building of 3,000 houses and 50 commercial units on the land has been proposed for the Europark development.

Image source, Google

According to the Daily Record, external, local residents have been campaigning against various planning applications in the area.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson attended a meeting last November where he said: “If councillors have any sense they’ll turn down Orchard Brae’s application.

“But if they do, it can be appealed and will ultimately be dealt with by a Scottish Government minister. That’s where it gets interesting.

“You, as the people of the community, need to put pressure on politicians at every level and I stand with you on that.

“It should be your country park and we should be working cross-party to save this beautiful area."

Tory MSP Graham Simpson begins his debate on greenbelt land in North Lanarkshire.

His motion highlights the group aiming to protect greenbelt land in North Lanarkshire and commends its campaigners.

It also points to the benefits of green spaces for mental and physical health.

Image source, Scottish parliament

Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks if the first minister accepts that SNP structures have fundamentally undermined localism in policing.

Ms Sturgeon says, speaking as a constituency MSP, that she does not agree.

The first minister again points to the changes being instigated by the new SPA chair.

She says these reforms should be welcomed and says there is an openness about the fact changes needed to be made.

That's your lot from first minister's questions this week.

A police watchdog has released a damning report on the Scottish Police Authority's complaints handling system.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) examined how complaints against senior police officers, SPA staff and its board were dealt with.

The audit questioned the number of complaints which were investigated.

The new chairwoman of the SPA, Susan Deacon, acknowledged the complaints system needed to be "robust".

Read more here.