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Mr Doris points out many communities felt frustrated with the planning system.

He says the committee was not convinced the Bill goes far enough to front load the planning system with engagement.

The committee convener wants people to feel involved in the planning system and urges the Scottish government to look at the issues he has raised before Stage 2.

He argues if equal right of appeal does not proceed there needs to be much more engagement.

Speaking personally, he says he is not convinced by the equal right for appeal.

Local Government and Communities Committee convener Bob Doris says planning serves a wide range of policy areas and argues the Bill must be clear about ambitions.

He welcomes the Scottish government's commitment to bring clarity on the purpose of planning on the face of the Bill.

Concerns were expressed over the centralisation of the national planning framework as it moves to a ten-year document and therefore the committee has called for more parliamentary scrutiny, he explains.

Mr Doris expresses disappointment that this recommendation has been rejected.

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The government put forward the Planning (Scotland) Bill, external as a package of "reforms that will strengthen the planning system's contribution to inclusive growth, housing and infrastructure delivery and empowering communities".

While recommending that MSPs agree the general principles of the bill when they vote on it for the first time, the local government committee called for a series of changes and amendments to be made.

Its report, which runs to more than 100 pages, includes a wide range of recommendations and requests for clarification from ministers.

Opposition members said the bill was a "missed opportunity" which has "failed to read the public mood".

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Mr Stewart believes SDZs can empower planning to deliver greater places and he will thus change the name to Master Plan Consent Areas to better reflect this positive role.

The housing minister wants a planning system that is collaborative not confrontational.

Turning to a third party right of appeal, he argues there is already too much conflict in the system and appeals would only add to that.

The minister believes there is a great deal of consensus about the outcomes being sought.

He wants a planning system that is fair and inclusive and calls for the general principles of the Planning (Scotland) Bill to be approved.

Mr Stewart says each National Planning Framework must be adopted by each Scottish government and time should not be taken by parliament for debate and for approval.

Reflecting on concerns around resources, the minister confirms there will be an amendment to create a duty on strategic planning.

He says Community Place Plans ensure planning connects with wider efforts to empower communities.

Turning to Simplified Development Zones, he rejects the local government committee's suggestion that these only be brought forward on a statutory footing.

The minister insists SDZs are not about deregulation.

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MSPs on Holyrood's Local Government and Communities Committee , externalhave called for widespread changes to planning reforms.

The Scottish government has put forward a Planning Bill in a bid to overhaul the current system and give local people more of a say.

The committee said not enough was being done to soothe community frustrations over parts of the planning system.

Members also questioned some powers being taken on by ministers, and called for one section to be removed entirely.

Planning minister Kevin Stewart said he would respond to the committee's recommendations in due course.

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Housing and Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart begins by saying the Bill outlines the future structure of our planning system.

Mr Stewart argues the proposed legislation will simplify the planning system.

He tells the chamber the purpose of planning should be set out in national policy and not necessarily in statute.

The minister tells the chamber the next National Planning Framework, due after the Bill is passed, will be highly collaborative.

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MSPs will now debate the Planning (Scotland) Bill, external.

Labour MSP Anas Sarwar refers to new NHS statistics out today which show 18,000 people did not get their diagnostics in time for the first three months of the year, while almost 17,000 patients were not treated within the treatment time guarantee.

One week of bad weather does not explain three months of failed statistics, he says.

When will she deliver meaningful change, Mr Sarwar asks.

Ms Robison says £50m announced last year has reduced outpatient waits, while an additional £50m announced yesterday will focus on diagnostics and the treatment guarantee.

Additional MRI scanners at the Golden Jubilee Hospital are evidence that diagnostics is a priority, she adds.

The health secretary says this investment will make a big difference.

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Health Secretary Shona Robison argues that, under the SNP, clinical radiology consultants have increased by more than 43%.

Mr Mountain says we are sitting on more unread films and highlights the failed overseas recruitment attempt.

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The health secretary points to £4m funding to improve capacity across Scotland.

Mr Mountain says from August there will be no interventional radiologists in the Highlands.

Ms Robison points out there are 8-10 additional places for training of interventional radiologists in recent years.

The Tory MSP argues people in the Highlands are worried that they won't get the surgery they need.

Ms Robison refutes this, insisting patients will get the treatment and surgery they require.

Tory MSP Edward Mountain asks the Scottish government what steps it is taking to ensure that there are sufficient and substantive interventional radiologists in every major hospital in Scotland.

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie suggests there is a contradiction between the report on Scotland being "open and welcoming" and the recommendation to "reduce rather than abolish" the income threshold.

The cabinet secretary agrees this is a valid point, pointing towards to a positive contribution of immigration.

We want to see more positive migration that grows the economy and does so in a fairer way, he explains.

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Labour MSP Claire Baker says the economics of the Growth Commission will mean a decade of "austerity max".

Mr Mackay argues austerity is the price of the Union.

The finance secretary says he is suspicious as to whether Labour has read the report.

He insists that with the levers of independence, Scotland could do so much better.

Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw says the Growth Commission report is "not without interest", pointing in particular to its references to tax.

He calls for a more competitive tax regime to be put in place to encourage people to come to Scotland now, which he says will help create a high-skilled economy.

Mr Mackay suggests Mr Carlaw must not have read the report.

We need to grow our population and ensure there is a good proportion of working-age people, he states, adding that this requires a positive immigration policy.

On tax, the finance secretary says more could be done on incentives if we were able to set the definitions.

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The author of the SNP's Growth Commission report, external has said an independent Scotland should aim to be a full member of the European Union.

Andrew Wilson said it was "in all our interests" to have free trade and movement between Scotland and Europe.

Mr Wilson's 354-page analysis document says an independent Scotland should keep the pound for at least 10 years and calls for more immigration.

Opposition parties have said it focuses too much on constitutional matters.

• Scotland 'would keep pound' in years after independence
• Reality Check: Could Scotland keep the pound?
• Brian Taylor on the significance of the report
• Our summary of the key points
• Read more here

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay says the Scottish government welcomes the recommendations on migration in the Growth Commission report.

Mr Mackay insists Scotland must become the "most talent friendly" country in the whole world,.

Mr McKee asks which recommendations can be adopted now and which require pressure on the UK government.

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The finance secretary highlights the promotional campaign around the globe promoting Scotland and the commitment to EU nationals.

He says the Scottish government must press the UK government on migration policy and post study work visas.

Mr Mackay says clearly the needs of Scotland are different from the rest of the UK.

An independent Scotland would keep the pound for at least 10 years under proposals set out by the SNP's Growth Commission, external.

The country could potentially then move towards introducing its own currency if six economic tests were met.

The commission was set up two years ago to build a new economic case for independence following the Brexit vote.

Opposition parties say the SNP's pursuit of independence is doing nothing for Scotland's economy.

The 354-page analysis document - which has been billed as a "new case for optimism" - also says attracting more immigrants to Scotland is crucial.

• Reality Check: Could Scotland keep the pound?
• Brian Taylor on the significance of the report
• Our summary of the key points

SNP MSP Ivan McKee asks the Scottish government what its response is to the recommendations on migration that were made by the Sustainable Growth Commission in the report, Scotland: the new Case for Optimism.

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MSPs will now take the opportunity to ask topical questions.