Scottish builders have called on the government to see more cash invested in planning departments to improve performance.
The Scottish Building Federation (SBF) also raised concerns about the UK government’s controversial £3billion apprenticeship levy announced in the November Budget.
The group, whose membership is made up of hundreds of building companies located throughout Scotland, from Orkney to the Borders, set out a number of proposals to support the industry in its policy manifesto for the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections in May.
The SBF called for better resourcing of planning departments, more transparent decision-making, innovative funding and better coordination of infrastructure to enable development in hopes of speeding up decision-making and improving consistency.
It also said it wants reassurance that revenues raised from construction employers by the introduction of the apprenticeship levy will be reinvested into construction apprenticeships.
The manifesto also sets out policy recommendations to support the industry in key areas including procurement, skills, training and recruitment, capital investment and energy efficiency.
SBF managing director Vaughan Hart said:“This manifesto is the result of extensive consultation with our members throughout Scotland and reflects the issues and priorities they would like to see addressed by the next Scottish Parliament.
“Our intention is to use this document as the basis of discussion with candidates from all political parties in the lead-up to the Scottish Parliament elections in May. Hopefully, those reading it will find it to be a useful and constructive contribution to policy debate during the forthcoming election campaign.”