This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Planning appeals consultation closer
24/06/2003
The consultation on widening the right of appeal in the planning system moved a step closer today with the first meeting of representatives of some of Scotland's key organisations to help the Executive devise its consultation on the issue.
The Executive announced in March that it would ask the Scottish public about introducing 'third party planning appeals'. This will begin later in the year.
Communities Minister Margaret Curran said:
"There are widely conflicting and strongly held opinions on this subject, and a detailed examination of the issues will be conducted. Everyone will have the opportunity to express their views. This group will help us identify issues for the consultation paper and in due course advise us on matters that arise from it."
Group members are:
Professor Alice Brown - Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
Ann Coleman - Greengairs Environmental Forum & Action Group
Ann Faulds - Dundas & Wilson
Mike Galloway - Dundee City Council
Con Kerwin - Scottish Environmental Services Association
Connie Leith - Ferryhill Heritage Society
Eileen Masterman - Homes for Scotland
Anne McCall - Scottish Environment Link
Duncan McLaren - Friends of the Earth Scotland
Iain McMillan - CBI Scotland
Douglas Murray - Association of Scottish Community Councils
Peter Page - Planning Aid for Scotland
Professor Mark Poustie - University of Strathclyde
John Rennilson - The Highland Council
Grahame Smith - Scottish Trades Union Congress
Iain Urquhart - South Lanarkshire Council
The Executive published the White Paper Your Place Your Plan in March 2003 which brought forward proposals for strengthening and enhancing public involvement in the land use planning system in Scotland.
The Partnership Agreement defines the subject of the consultation paper saying that the Executive will consult on new rights of appeal in planning cases where the local authority involved has an interest, where the application is contrary to the local plan, when planning officers have recommended rejection or where an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed.
The Group's remit is to assist the Executive in identifying issues to be covered in the consultation paper, to advise on how those matters can be fairly expressed and to advise on any matters arising from responses to the public consultation that may require further consideration.
A wide range of interests are represented on the Group. It is not expected to debate the arguments for and against widening the right of appeal. That will be properly addressed through the formal consultation process, which will then inform the Executive's decision on the outcome.