Image source, bbc

Local Government and Communities Minister Kevin Stewart speaks to his amendments from the National Planning Framework: preparation and content group.

Mr Stewart says ministers will have to include a statement in the framework which must meet housing needs.

In particular the needs of older and disabled people must be the focus, he says.

The minister pivots to the support for increasing the population of rural communities.

He points to an amendment relating to biodiversity and goes on to say everyone will agree that the framework must do all it can to help achieve Scotland's ambitious climate change targets.

MSPs back amendment 113 to remove the purpose of planning definition from the bill as amended at stage 2 (108 for, 9 against).

And then vote to include the new purpose advocated by Graham Simpson (110 for and 9 against).

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The planning bill was put forward in a bid to overhaul the current planning system and give local people and communities more of a say in the process.

It was pitched by the government as "reforms that will strengthen the planning system's contribution to inclusive growth, housing and infrastructure delivery and empowering communities".

However, all of Holyrood's opposition parties - along with the local government committee - raised concerns about the bill as it was initially drafted.

Many MSPs made it clear that they only voted it through at stage one in the Holyrood chamber so they could make "serious changes" at stage two, back at committee level.

Read more.

Green MSP Andy Wightman says his party supports a purpose of planning which he says the bill already provides for.

We will therefore oppose amendment 113 which seeks to remove it, he confirms.

Community Minister Kevin Stewart offers support to the amendments, saying it is important to have a single purpose for planning.

There will now be a five minute break as MSPs head to the chamber for the first vote.

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We begin three days of Stage 3 proceedings appropriately, with a small group of two amendments relating to the purpose of planning.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson's amendment would put "the purpose of planning is to manage the development and use of land in the long term public interest" on the face of the bill.

Mr Simpson warns these Stage 3 amendments will lead to a "bit of marathon for MSPs", and indeed those of us watching.

He says his purpose of planning statement is not government speak.

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MSPs begin the first part of the stage 3 debate on the Planning (Scotland) Bill, external.

Over 200 amendments will be considered of the next three days of debate.

To follow along, you will need the:

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

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Mike Rumbles says the parliament passed a motion pledging to get cycle training for all Scotland's school children.

The figure has fallen from 62% when it should have increased, argues the Lib Dem MSP.

Mr Matheson reiterates his point that there has been an increase in local authorities and schools taking part in the bikeability scheme, external.

It's the modern day form of cycling proficiency, a national scheme designed for children within the school setting.

It's a programme local authorities have to buy into, he says.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says: "There is more spin here than can be seen in a Peloton".

"You've announced nothing new between more monitoring and analysis."

When do you intend to meet the 10% target she asks.

Mr Matheson says the government is committed to continuing record investment in cycling infrastructure.

It is disappointing we have not achieved the target, he accepts, but insists the framework and review will focus on the next steps to meet the target.

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Labour MSP Colin Smyth says almost 10 years since the target of 10% of everyday journeys to be made by bike by 2020 was set, the number has gone up from only 0.7% to a "woeful" 1.5%.

Mr Smyth says, given the climate emergency we face and the slow progress in the number of cycle journeys taken, shouldn't all projects be funded.

Mr Matheson criticises Labour's knee-jerk response to opposing the workplace parking levy.

We'll see tomorrow, in Labour's response to the amendments to the Transport Bill tomorrow, how committed the party is to tackling the climate emergency, says the transport secretary.

Mr Matheson reiterates the funding the government is awarding.

Tory MSP Jamie Greene says there is little to welcome in today's statement, particularly regarding the missing of the 2020 target.

He asks what percentage of journeys will be made by bike by 2020, when the 10% target will be met and when a new action plan will be published.

Mr Matheson says around 4% of journeys are made by cycling at the moment, a record level but "very much off the target".

We must encourage more people to make greater use of active travel options, he adds.

Mr Matheson welcomes internal bike racks being put in Border buses and he points to bike and go facilities at 12 train stations across Scotland.

He says transport is Scotland's biggest source of emissions and it is clear more must be done.

The transport secretary accepts there is much more for the government to do and investment in active travel is the way forward.

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Matheson says this year £51m from the active travel budget will go towards the 'places for everyone' infrastructure programme, administered by Sustrans.

We hope to announce the specific projects in the next few months, he adds.

The transport secretary accepts investment will not bring about the change he wants to see alone, saying there needs to be a broader strategic approach.

The Transport Bill will enable change by supporting the development of a cleaner, smarter and more accessible cycle network insists the minister.

He suggests the workplace parking levy (which will be debated at committee tomorrow) will be used to support improvement to transport infrastructure and alternatives to car use.

Mr Matheson says there has been an increase in cycling in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Moray and Highland.

The transport secretary says nearly 500 Scottish schools have received cycling friendly status.

It will take time to build equality and infrastructure we need, he adds.

Mr Matheson cites Scottish government funding of some £36m for Sustrans, external and a further £9m for six cycling infrastructure projects.

Transport Minister Michael Matheson notes the 2020 target it unlikely to be met.

He accepts the speed of change on cycling is "not good enough" and points to a doubling of the active travel budget in response.

We are working with partners to develop a monitoring framework, as well as improve safety and accessibility of cycling he says.

The Scottish government has secured £7.6m from an EU fund to improve cycling infrastructure Mr Matheson tells the chamber.

Image source, Thinkstock

Transport Minister Michael Matheson will shortly give a statement on the cycling action plan.

The 2017-20 plan, external - the third iteration - set a target for 10% of everyday journeys to be made by bike by 2020.

However, the Sustrans 2018 review, external found it has stagnated at around 3%.

Image source, Thinkstock/Getty

Click here for the full list of questions., external

Transport Secretary Michael Matheson says daily dialogue is ongoing and services are expected to return to normal scheduling by the end of the week.

Mr Stevenson asks if the issue is a one-off or a design flaw.

The minister says it was due to incorrect set-up of the trains control management system rather than a design issue.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth insists the sleeper service has been "plagued" by stock not being delivered on time and says this is demonstrative of the franchising system.

Mr Matheson replies that he wishes the Scottish Parliament had the powers to change the franchising system.

Image source, PA

Disruption to the Caledonian Sleeper services will continue following damage to a train's wheels.

Some services between Edinburgh and London were cancelled on Sunday and Monday, with Glasgow services affected on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Serco, which runs the sleeper, said wheels were damaged when emergency brakes came on last Tuesday.

The problems follow the introduction of the new £150m fleet, which began running at the end of April.

Read more here.