This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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People and the planning process
14/07/2006
A new approach to bring people into the planning system from the outset is explained today in draft advice for local authorities and developers.
The advice, to be the subject of consultation, says people should be fully involved in the preparation of development plans setting out the vision for their area.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm said:
"Scotland's planning system is undergoing its most radical overhaul in 60 years.
"We want it to be modern and much more open and inclusive. But we cannot achieve this without fundamental reform of how planning involves people - and, more importantly getting people involved in the planning process.
"This is the first time that the Executive has issued advice to local authorities and developers on how communities should be properly engaged by them in the planning process.
"We are seeking to change the culture of planning and this is a critical part of that transformation.
"As the advice note indicates, there are already some very good examples of local authorities, developers and communities working well together.
"We want to build on this so that people are actively involved in shaping the plans for their area as early in the process as possible.
"On top of this, they need to have opportunities to have their voice heard before major applications are actually submitted.
"What this amounts to is real participation. It is about dialogue not diktat.
"But it is also about hard choices and recognising the reality - that planning often involves reconciling conflicting interests where one particular view does not prevail.
"The planning process will be more credible and effective when it genuinely involves communities from the outset - even before applications are submitted.
"No-one should pretend it is going to be easy to change this culture. It will be very challenging but the rewards for all concerned are immense.
"We now have a golden opportunity for a fresh start to create a new planning system which Scotland can be proud of - modern, efficient and, above all, with communities at its heart."
The Planning Advice Note (PAN) 'Planning With People' has been produced with the support of a steering group comprising representatives of local authorities, the Royal Town Planning Institute, community groups and developers.
The Executive now wants to hear the views of individuals and groups on the PAN to help shape the final version. A series of public events are also planned around Scotland to explain the thinking behind it and to seek views.
Petra Biberbach, Executive Director of Planning Aid for Scotland, which provides impartial, independent advice to people on planning issues, said:
"Changing the whole culture of planning in Scotland is a huge challenge. It will take a long time and it will not be easy.
"But this is a very good start in setting out the building blocks of good community engagement which everyone can learn from."
Allan Lundmark, Director of Planning at Homes for Scotland, said:
"This is a huge step forward in modernising our planning system. It gives developers practical guidance to engage with communities at an early stage.
"The house building industry recognises that we need to build consensus around essential investment proposals. Our communities need new housing, schools and hospitals and everyone gains from better, earlier and more active engagement with local communities."
Graham U'ren, Director of the Royal Town Planning Institute in Scotland (RTPI), said:
"A new culture of inclusiveness must accompany the current major changes in Scotland's planning system, with the aim of creating a system which is respected and valued by communities, developers and the public sector alike.
"This planning advice note will be a significant first step towards this."
The PAN supports the Planning Bill currently being considered by Parliament which:
- ensures every opportunity for local people to feed their views into up to date and relevant development plans
- ensures that Ministers will be able to assess the quality of community engagement in development plans
- gives new guarantees of pre-application consultations for a range of potentially controversial development proposals
- ensures that planning authorities hold hearings before taking decisions
- ensures enhanced scrutiny of developments that are not in the development plan