Scottish Labour is to put forward plans to introduce new rights for communities over planning decisions, in a bid to “level the playing field” between developers and the public.

Under the proposals, communities will be given the right to appeal planning decisions in certain circumstances, including when the development is at odds with the approved plan for the area. Currently, applicants can have appeals heard by the Scottish Government but communities have no rights, Scottish Labour said.

According to the party, the draft Planning (Scotland) Bill has failed to read the public mood and falls short on community rights. Labour will put forward a package of amendments to rebalance the planning system and put communities at the heart of planning reform.

Shadow cabinet secretary for communities, Monica Lennon MSP, said: “Planning is essential to making sure our communities get high quality development in the right places. People care deeply about this but they often feel powerless in their own communities when planning decisions are taken that have no basis in the approved plan for their area or will have significant local impacts.

“Scottish Labour will be putting forward changes to the Planning Bill to strengthen the rights of communities.

“The SNP Government has an opportunity to rethink its proposals to defend developers rights whilst blocking community rights.”