Shared transport charity CoMoUK has called on the Scottish government to ensure all new housing developments contain a mobility hub.
Responding to the government’s planning framework consultation, the charity said greener travel should be at the heart of the Scotland’s strategy for the future.
It asked ministers to consider requiring developers of housing estates containing 50 dwellings or more to create mobility hubs. These would contain facilities such as EV charging points, bike sharing points and car club schemes.
For smaller developments, of 25 houses or more, the charity suggested house-builders should be required to install at least one shared transport initiative.
According to CoMoUK, transport is now Scotland’s largest emission-emitting sector, contributing 36% of greenhouse gasses, of which the largest source within that was private cars.
CoMoUK has urged ministers to do more in terms of promoting shared car schemes and encouraging cycling as well as shared transport.
Lorna Finlayson, Scotland director of CoMoUK, said: “Scotland cannot achieve the reduction in greenhouse gasses it needs without changing the way people move about.
“Reform to the planning system over the coming years provides an opportunity to do exactly that.
“All over the country new housing estates are being built – that provides the perfect chance to install more mobility hubs.”
The charity said it aims to initiate the development of European-style mobility hubs in the UK.
Read more: Scotland to launch mobility hubs
Finlayson added: “This is an action the government could take now which would have a positive impact on the environment, the economy and public health.
“Getting this right will help everyone and assist the government in many of the targets it has set itself across a range of issues.”
