The decision bits from the letter:
6. The Scottish Ministers have carefully considered all of the evidence presented at the hearing, the consultation responses and representations, the Reporter’s findings of fact and his reasoning and recommendation thereon. They accept the Reporter’s findings of fact and are of the view that this is a complex case, in which there are contrasting and conflicting arguments for and against the proposal, with clear differences of opinion about the weight that should be attached to the economic arguments.
7. The Scottish Ministers agree that the proposal is contrary to the development plan and have carefully considered all the issues raised in the report, particularly in relation to the displacement of jobs and the sequential test. However, they consider that the public interest in this case does not lie in refusing planning permission. They consider that significant weight should be afforded to the potential economic benefits in terms of investment, increased employment opportunities, as currently intended, and the potential benefits to tourism locally and regionally. Scottish Ministers consider that these are material considerations which support the proposed development and are of such significant nature that they outweigh the development plan presumption. Scottish Ministers, therefore, do not accept the Reporter’s recommendation that planning permission be refused.
So, basically, McJobs trounce any planning restrictions, consultations, conflict of interest, independent adjudication, etc. It's Shcotland's Economy, stupid! "Wealth creators" must be allowed to do as they please with their own money, dontcha know? Especially when they are creating "economic benefits", even if we can't really quantify what they are, except to say they have "significant weight".
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