This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Planning advice for internet age
30/11/2004
Advice for councils and planners on how to deliver electronic planning (e-planning) services was issued by the Executive today.
Planning Advice Note (PAN) 70 outlines how planning authorities can deliver the online services that individuals, communities and businesses require.
Deputy Communities Minister Johann Lamont said:
"I'm pleased that the Executive and councils have collaborated so closely on the development of e-planning in Scotland. We want to strengthen the involvement of communities and speed up decision-making in the planning system; e-planning helps us achieve this.
"This advice will help people involved in delivering e-planning systems and those such as architects, agents and community groups, who regularly use them,
"E-planning increases openness, efficiency and effectiveness in planning service delivery, and allows people greater choice in how they use planning services."
The PAN explains how planning authorities can develop their websites to allow people to:
- make and monitor the progress of planning applications
- investigate if changes to their property require permission
- find out about planning applications in their area and make representations online
- check what land is designated for in development plans, and engage with the development plan preparation process and
- find out about the planning history of a property
The Executive and local authorities published an e-planning compact in November 2003 to confirm their common approach to modernising planning service delivery in Scotland through the use of electronic communications.
The compact sets out agreed aspirations for an effective e-planning service.
The Town and Country Planning (Electronic Communications) (Scotland) Order 2004 came into effect on July 28, 2004.
It allows local authorities and national park authorities to carry out a range of planning procedures electronically. PAN 70 builds on this.
A number of Councils have made progress with electronic planning, in particular City of Edinburgh Council, Clackmannanshire Council, East Lothian Council, Shetland Islands Council and Stirling Council.
The existing paper-based system will continue to operate for as long as there is a need.