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Labour MSP Rhoda Grant tries to speak to her amendments in Group 9: Strategic development and regional spatial strategies, but is interrupted by a point of order from Kevin Stewart who says he can't hear her.

Ms Grant sorts the microphone and says she hopes her amendments will lead to people "seeing lights on in the glens again".

Andy Wightman says this issue is important and pledges support for the amendment.

Mr Stewart says he cannot support Ms Grant's amendment and points out areas that have been depopulated in the past may not be where people want to live now.

He pledges to continue to work on efforts to improve rural populations but asks Ms Grant to withdraw the amendment due to cost.

She is very disappointed by this request saying her amendment would send a very strong message that MSPs care about the Highland Clearances and modern depopulation.

The amendment is not agreed to, with 31 MSPs backing it and 89 against.

That leads to a 10 minute suspension, we're back at 16:38.

Mr Stewart explains he will move this amendment to allow for a debate on it, but does not intend to press it.

He explains he did not consider a report on the housing needs of older and disabled people to be necessary when he lodged the amendment.

However, he says after discussion with members it is vital to begin planning now for future housing needs.

Other members welcome the decision not the move the amendment and it is therefore withdrawn.

Kevin Stewart speaks to the open space strategy amendments.

Mr Stewart says definitions have yet to be refined as there is going to be a wider policy review.

One of the amendment allows ministers to amend regulations if necessary, the minister explains.

Andy Wightman welcomes the amendments and they are passed unanimously.

The next group of amendments, containing 25 of them, is titled National Planning Framework: processes.

Communities Minister Kevin Stewart explains his amendments do not seek to massively alter changes made at stage 2 regarding the process for agreeing the framework, including giving the parliament final approval of it.

No one else wishes the speak to these amendments and following a series of votes, several more amendments are voted on.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant speaks to her three amendments in the group on national scenic areas.

They would ensure ministers have regard to national scenic areas when preparing the planning framework and consult with communities with an interest in an area of a proposed designation.

Green MSP Andy Wightman highlights consultation measures are already in place but welcomes the one of the amendment which improves these existing methods.

Ms Grant's amendment 188 is agreed with only 6 opposing it.

Kevin Stewart is happy to support one of Moncia Lennon's amendments, but cannot support the others in the group relating to the consideration of equalities issues.

The local government minister says they address issues under the purview of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

MSPs back amendment 173B from Ms Lennon.

A raft of amendments from the minister are passed unanimously, but there is disagreement over amendment 25 which is agreed to regardless.

Here's the:

• marshalled list of amendments, external
• and their groupings, external

Labour MSP Monica Lennon speaks to the group on equalities issues, which include four amendments from herself.

She explains all her amendments seek to ensure planning authorities embed equalities in practice and highlights the backing of Engender.

Gender equality must be mainstreamed through planning practices because they shape how we move around in environments, she argues.

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Mr Stewart thanks the many members who have come through his door to help improve the bill through amendments.

We move to the voting, where the minister sees his amendments agreed to unanimously.

Labour MSP Clauida Beamish also sees her amendment agreed to unanimously.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says it is vital to consider the impact of development alongside our climate commitments.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says a rapidly declining population in rural areas could have a serious impact and the planning system must balance re-population with protection of the environment.

Labour MSP Alex Rowley commends the government for building a diverse set of principles to be included in the bill but insists health inequalities must be better considered as part of planning.

Green MSP Mark Ruskell explains his amendment includes the addition of air quality to the principles.

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The Scottish government has pledged to roll back changes MSPs made to its reforms of the planning system.

Ministers introduced legislation at Holyrood with the aim of streamlining planning and "empowering communities".

MSPs on the local government committee then made more than 230 amendments to the bill adding in extra powers and responsibilities for planning boards.

The government has warned these could "create millions of pounds of new costs" and undermine the legislation.

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