Scottish Government

Modernising Public Local Inquiries: A Consultation Paper

Summary of main suggestions

• In the case of planning appeals, public local inquiries now called "planning inquiries"
• Qualification of the right of an appellant or planning authority to a planning appeal inquiry or hearing
• Early notification of the planning authority's views in appeals against non-determination
• Rejection of appeals that remain incomplete
• Reduction in the time for pre-inquiry processes
• Advance notice and disclosure of their case from everyone wishing to take part in a planning inquiry
• More explicit guidance on the essential issues to be considered by a planning inquiry
• Identification of areas of agreement and disagreement
• Planning appeals treated as withdrawn when not brought to inquiry
• Recovery of costs for abortive work
• Promotion of non-adversarial hearings for the benefit of communities and residents
• Limitations on the scope to consider new material after a planning inquiry has closed
• Hearings to consider objections to development plans
• Mediation before development plan inquiries
• A clear distinction between the development plan inquiry and inquiries held to consider planning appeals and called-in applications