Scottish Government

Main Findings

The findings from the 3 research and consultation strands indicate:

Background

The review of public involvement in planning comprised a consultation paper Getting Involved in Planning issued by the Scottish Executive Development Department, and 2 strands of research commissioned by Social Research (formerly Central Research Unit) at the Scottish Executive: a wider public research project, and an omnibus survey. These 3 strands continued a programme of recent consultations on aspects of the planning system, which included the Review of Strategic Planning consultation exercise in 2001-2.

Project Objectives

The main purpose of the Summary of Evidence Report was to provide an analysis of the findings from each of these 3 strands and to:

Conclusions were drawn for future practice from these areas of interest and matters for further consideration, by the Scottish Executive and local authorities, were identified.

Research Methods

The wider public research project was undertaken by the School of Planning & Housing, Centre for the Environment and Human Settlements, Edinburgh College of Art/Heriot Watt University, and sought the views of people who were either "involved" or "uninvolved" in planning. It consisted of:

Six local authority areas were selected as case studies areas in which the research was conducted. In total, 70 interviews were completed and over 100 other responses to displays and the website were received.

The omnibus survey, conducted by Scottish Opinion Limited, was a telephone poll of 1022 adults drawn from 73 Scottish parliamentary constituencies and conducted in March 2002. Results were classified according to age, sex, region of Scotland and social class.

The consultation exercised involved the distribution of 10,350 documents, comprising 3 different formats: main papers, questionnaires and easy-read booklets. In addition, the questions could be accessed through the SE website. A total of 402 responses to the 32 questions were analysed by an independent consultant, providing both quantitative and qualitative assessment of opinion.

Consequently, the 3 strands of consultation and research provided different perspectives and a good mix of quantitative and qualitative material on the issue of public involvement in planning.

Key Findings

Participation and Interest in the Planning System

The omnibus survey found that there were high levels of public interest in planning (70%) and views that public involvement in planning was important (95%). ¹ However, in practice there are much lower levels of actual involvement (7%). ² Most (63%) of those from the Scottish Household Survey who had been involved with the planning service were satisfied with the experience. However, it was clear that "involvement" could mean different things from, at one level, receiving information on development to actively participating in decision-making at another. Equally, different sections of the public had varying levels of knowledge and understanding of the planning system which affected their satisfaction with current arrangements.

1. Figures from Planning Issues Omnibus Survey, Scottish Opinion Ltd. 2002
2. Figures from Scottish Household Survey (1999/2000)

On the whole, Planning Officers were positive about public involvement and recognised the difficulties in reaching all sectors of the population.

Current Methods of Involvement

Councils were using a wide variety of participatory methods and techniques, which went beyond the statutory minimum requirements. Public meetings were not generally favoured (except for major applications), with many authorities preferring workshop formats, such as Planning for Real. Other methods used included Issues Forums, focus groups, citizens' panels and questionnaire surveys. Different media types were also being used - adverts, easy-read booklets, issues papers, videos, CD ROMs and the internet were all mentioned.

Barriers to Involvement

The main barriers to greater public involvement appear from both the consultation and wider public research evidence to be:

There was considerable overlap between different group perspectives, but uninvolved people tended to stress the latter 2 factors and their general lack of awareness about planning.

Factors Facilitating Involvement

Key factors identified in this context were:

Impact on the Efficiency of the Process

It was recognised that there was tension between speed and involvement in the planning system and consequently there was a need to get the right balance. The research concluded that in the absence of other measures, the proposals to improve involvement would probably lengthen timescales. In this context, additional resources would help reduce or eliminate adverse efficiency effects. Some opportunities to speed procedures were identified which would also help in achieving a proper balance.

Matters for Further Consideration

General Approach

It was suggested the Executive consider creating a small pilot project fund to support innovative practice. A new NPPG setting out public involvement policy together with a PAN identifying good practices was thought to be useful. There was support for setting up a national consultative group and for investigating the feasibility of integrating local and national helpline services. It was felt that local authorities should be encouraged to establish planning policy forums as part of wider corporate arrangements. The role of community councils in the planning process could also be further developed

Development Plan Procedures

Further consideration of ways in which to speed up the local plan preparation and approval process was supported. The proposed neighbour notification of major plan changes, however, requires further clarification. There was support for measures to strengthen the independence of Reporters. Many thought that local authorities should also consider employing a wider range of user-friendly methods of information provision, more deliberative methods of engagement and more accessible settings to encourage greater involvement in plan preparation.

Development Control Procedures

There was substantial support for all of the proposed changes to development control procedures set out in the consultation document, with the exception of those affecting non-domestic lessees. There were also significant concerns from local authorities regarding the resource implications of assuming neighbour notification duties. It was suggested that Public Local Inquiries should be more user-friendly. For some, measures (such as mediation) required further clarification and guidance from the Executive, or the consideration of pilot exercises. It was also suggested that further consideration be given to the introduction of third party rights of appeal, in limited and specified circumstances.

Training and Capacity Building

The development of appropriate training materials and programmes (1) on the planning system for schools and community groups, and (2) on appropriate facilitation and customer care skills for planning authorities, should be encouraged by the relevant stakeholder interests.

New Technology

There was support for establishment of a formal e-planning working group with representation from users and providers. It was also considered useful to set a deadline by when all authorities should have their weekly list of planning applications and development plans online. In this context, local authorities should be encouraged to develop the
e-capability of their community councils.

Resources

A review of the resources needed for the proper delivery of the planning function would be advantageous in the context of the proposals for change set out in recent SEDD consultation documents. In particular, there was support for the funding of Planning Aid Scotland to be put on a more secure footing.