This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
National Consultative Group on Planning
15/11/2004
More should be done to widen people's involvement and interest in the planning system, the National Consultative Group on Planning was told today at a meeting in Dundee.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said public involvement from the outset not only benefits communities but could ensure higher standards of development.
He continued:
"I am fully aware of the passions that can be aroused by planning. For the system to work effectively it requires partnership working, genuine community involvement and good dialogue with developers to enable a higher quality of development on the ground.
"In March last year, we published Your Place, Your Plan, which set out our proposals for strengthening and enhancing public involvement in the planning system. I want to make planning much more inclusive, responsive, accountable and straightforward.
"It is the fundamental right of everyone in Scotland that they have the opportunity to influence the decisions that affect them. I am determined to see wider access to planning information with clearer explanations and accountability, so that people can satisfy themselves that taking part in the process has been worthwhile.
"I believe that people want and deserve a planning system which is more inclusive, straightforward and responsive to their needs. I hope that events such as today's help to make planning a little clearer and more accessible to the wider community."
The National Consultative Group, comprising representatives from community, business, voluntary and environmental groups, held its first meeting in Glasgow in February.
Today's meeting was organised in conjunction with the Scottish Civic Forum.
Debbie Wilkie, Director of the Scottish Civic Forum, said:
"We all have an interest in the built environment in which we live and work but many people do not realise how important it is to get involved early on - when plans are being prepared. I hope this new process will enable wider understanding of the planning system and stimulate greater participation in it."