Thousands of new homes will be needed every year

Communities Minister Margaret Curran said council planning decisions would be speeded up and consultation with communities improved.

But she said that she still had an open mind on whether to give objectors a right of appeal.

Ms Curran said she would wait until the four-month consultation period is over before making a decision.

Blueprint

The minister told MSPs that the system is too slow and that local authorities often do not keep their development plans up to date.

She said the system needed to be more "user friendly" for businesses and communities.

The national plan lays down a framework for development over the next 20 years, covering everything from the Glasgow-Edinburgh corridor to the challenges of the Western Isles.

Local development plans will have to be updated every five years and local people and businesses will have to be involved in drafting them.

We know there are passionately held views both for and against a third-party right of appeal Margaret Curran MSP Communities Minister

However, controversy surrounds whether to allow objectors to any development to right to appeal to ministers, the so-called third party right of appeal.

Ms Curran said: "We know there are passionately held views both for and against a third party right of appeal.

"The outcome of this consultation is far from a foregone conclusion. We want people to respond to us, to inform our final decision."

The Scottish National Party's Shona Robison has challenged the minister on how the new national planning framework would tie in with the executive's review of affordable housing.

House builders said that Scotland could struggle to meet demand for an extra 10,000 new homes a year.