Increase use of E-Planning
Local Authorities
Aberdeen City Council: There are undoubtedly considerable benefits to be achieved through opportunities of developing e-planning. There is a question of whether these improvements to service delivery will also provide cost savings to the extent suggested.
Fife Council: This is strongly supported and reflects current Best Practice within Fife, and discussions with the Executive's E Planning Group. The Executive / E Planning Group will explore opportunities to share costs involved in developing e-planning systems. This has started in earnest with the EGF submission.
Glasgow City Council: The Council previously supported the use of new technology in the planning system and indicated its willingness to be involved in any discussions on this matter. The Council remains supportive of this approach and has made use of new technology during the process to adopt City Plan 1 and on consulting on the early stages of City Plan 2. An inter-active version of City Plan 1 was placed on the Council's website in May 2005. Steps have also been taken to ensure that the interactive plan is compatible with the proposed online Development Control and Urban Modelling function. Nevertheless, it is considered that, in the short to medium term at least, a paper version of the Plan should continue to be the certified version, being generally more accessible to prospective readers. This will require increased staffing input to e-planning.
Moray Council: Support in principle subject to funding being maintained and commitment to achieve required standard of service delivery.
North Lanarkshire Council: The principle objectives for e-planning are supported. However, on a practical level, it will be important to take account of the need for maintenance of systems, difficulties in the event of system failure and recognition that a high proportion of the public are not likely to use electronic access to planning information.
Scottish Borders Council: Planning authorities are at the forefront of ICT based modernisation initiatives. E-planning solutions have close links with corporate address and GIS programmes. The failure of e-planning projects to receive support under MGF3 has been regrettable. The Executive has still to demonstrate its commitment to e-planning through the provision of financial support to local authorities. It is vital to recognise that e-planning solutions will provide enhanced access to planning information to a broader range of stakeholders but it is unlikely to result in financial savings for planning authorities. Indeed by encouraging and facilitating better access to planning services this may place further pressures on services.
Non Departmental Public Bodies
The Theatres Trust: We have found that new technology is making the planning service more transparent and accessible. Most Las are now getting to grips with on-line consultations. In our experience it saves both time and expense.
Development Industry
Homes for Scotland: Although the system of e-planning was implemented in 2004, not all authorities have yet set up accessible platforms to allow the submission of applications in this manner. To achieve the greatest benefits from e-planning, all authorities must adhere to the requirements. Homes for Scotland recommend that the Planning Bill should make e-planning a statutory requirement for all Councils. Homes for Scotland also support greater use of web-based resources for Plan and Application consultation which would be supported by wider advertisement of consultations, developments by authorities. Moving to an accessible electronic system will, however, require investment in local authority resources to cope.
Manor Kingdom Group: Although the system of e-planning was implemented in 2004, not all authorities have yet set up accessible platforms to allow the submission of applications in this manner. To achieve the greatest benefits from e-planning, all authorities must adhere to the requirements. Manor Kingdom recommends that the Planning Bill should make e-planning a statutory requirement for all Councils with greater use of internet based resources for Plan and Application consultation.
Waterfront Edinburgh Ltd: The proposal to encourage broader use of electronic transfer of information by way of electronic applications is welcome, but it could be extended and be used for presentational purposes to the planning committee. We have in mind the use of electronic 3D and fly through models.
Other Businesses
SITA ( UK) Ltd: The Company welcome's the White Paper's support for the electronic submission of planning applications. It believes that applications submitted in this format by an applicant should attract a discount from the standard application fee to reflect the reduced cost in processing such an application. In addition, it is of the view that an applicant who submits an application electronically, but is required by a planning authority to provide hard copies of the same, should be allowed to recover its reasonable costs for doing so.
The Scottish Coal Company Limited ( SCCL): We welcome the proposal to make planning services more transparent, accessible and efficient. Sufficient resources nevertheless need to be made available to local authorities to allow them to roll out e-planning initiatives.
Planning Consultants, Architects and Lawyers
Humberts Leisure Consulting: E-planning procedures are welcomed and the provision of information on the web for the general public especially if the number of development plan documents can be kept to minimum of set at a national level e.g. supplementary planning guidance from a central source as opposed to variations throughout.
Ledingham Chalmers: Some Local Authorities are to be commended on their use of e-planning. But there is a caveat with this - accessing applications and the attendant documents and plans can lead to plagiarism and the careless release of confidential supporting material over the web can have far reaching consequences, so care will need to be taken about the extent to which e-planning is introduced.
Community Councils
Balmerino, Kilmany and Logie Community Council: Proposals for the use of IT systems are generally positive. However, systems need to be fit for purpose. Different types of systems will be required for processing applications, for commenting on applications and for accessing the details of applications including architectural drawings, designs of proposed developments etc. Where appropriate images of the proposed development set in its surroundings is often what people want to see as well as the more detailed architectural drawings. Local authorities already publish Planning & Development Committee Minutes and Committee Reports on their websites. However, the sites are not always as well designed as they could be and often material is only available for limited periods e.g. minutes and reports over 6 months old are not available on line. Over ambitious IT systems can prove expensive and often cannot deliver on expectations. A response form for responding / commenting on planning applications similar to the one attached to the 'Modernising the Planning System' Report would help people who may find composing a letter a disincentive
Culter Community Council: We have no quibble with the use of new technology (E-planning) to make planning more transparent and efficient but would suggest that as far as the general public and community councils are concerned this will not necessarily increase accessibility. Not everyone has a computer, is computer literate, or can use, or is comfortable/feels competent using the Internet. In theory community volunteers can have training and use computers in public libraries but we have not found this effective in practice. We would therefore not like to see the 'paper system' disappear
in the interests of public perception and confidence in the new system.
Currie Community Council: This may work for those with the technology, but should not be used as a substitute for paper. Not all people are computer literate or have access to a computer. It is claimed that paper-based systems are more time consuming than e-planning procedures. While there may be some truth in this, electronic systems are still in their early stages and those who use them are restricted to people who have access to and know how to use computers. Furthermore, electronic communication has changed significantly since word processors and CAD systems were introduced and will do so in the future. Some experienced and knowledgeable respondents may not be able to keep up with this technology so paper-based information must always be available to the general public. Never let it be forgotten that planning systems are there for the benefit of the public, as well as for businesses.
Garioch Area Forum of Community Councils: We welcome the recently-introduced system by which all planning applications are made available electronically by Aberdeenshire Council. This has given community councils the opportunity to access full details of plans and so removed a major cause of previous dissatisfaction. We trust that new procedures will not in any way inhibit the continuing ability of community councils to obtain full details of planning matters which affect their communities.
Helensburgh Community Council: Greater use of electronic communications is a move with the times, but it should not replace paper-based information on which communities rely. The legislation should be clear that both forms of communication should run side-by-side. Over-reliance on electronic equipment will disadvantage the public. There should be a requirement that planning applications are announced in the local press and paper versions of all information documents either from the authority or from the Scottish Executive ( e.g. consultative papers, SPPs, PANs, etc.) should continue to be available to the public free of charge.
Hillhead Community Council: While such use of modern technology is welcomed, it should not disadvantage the ordinary citizen. We urge the continuation of paper applications and plans to be available to the community. Not everyone has email or easy access to e-planning. It is also easier to see the development plan in its original form and to be sure that all papers are available for inspection.
Merchiston Community Council: Having been frustrated more than once in recent attempts to view planning applications on-line, the advantages on an efficient system of e-planning are only too obvious.
Portobello Community Council (and Amenity Society): Much emphasis is placed on the increased use of "e-planning" procedures. In which case, planning authorities must take greater control over the quality of planning applications submitted to be displayed on web sites. Many are almost illegible, tiny, and of poor quality.
Strathblane Community Council: E-planning to be fast tracked will be the best way to bring greater scrutiny of applications and for the general public to see full sets of plans rather than just say community council members. In addition to this although Local Authority agendas and papers are published 1 week in advance of decision meetings members of the public should be encouraged to respond to their local elected member should they wish to.
Tillicoultry Community Council: E-planning is a good idea but it is dependent on net availability. Many Community Councils do not have net access other than Community Councillors who are willing to use their own computers on behalf of their respective Community Councils. Community Councils have very restricted funds and, generally, no office space to enable them to install a computer hence e-planning is difficult.
Voluntary Organisations
Brethren Gospel Trusts: Whilst we appreciate the increased technical capabilities offered by increased use of E-planning, members of the Brethren's Christian Fellowship hold a deep conscientious objection to the use of computers, E-mail and the Internet. We would therefore respectfully request that paper alternatives are retained for all planning functions.
Helensburgh Green Belt Group: Dissemination of information must move with the times and we generally welcome the enhanced use of electronic communications. However, we have reservations about putting reliance on the internet for informing people and e-planning .They may be appropriate for some technical aspects, but should not take over in any aspect of the planning system for which public or local community involvement / consultation is integral. Many people do not have computers and of those who do, some are not adept at their use. We suggest that BOTH the conventional paper-based modes of communication AND electronic are used in parallel to allow members of the public to use whichever they prefer.
Helensburgh Study Group: In principle we agree with this. We have some doubts with regard to any assumption that local community involvement can solely be based on electronic communication. If carried out in parallel with paper-based and other modes, that could be acceptable, but reliance on computer-conveyed communication would exclude some of the public, especially those who cannot afford to own and to update equipment. Also, internet communication transfers printing costs to the recipient. For example, free availability of hard copy government papers ( e.g.SPPs, PANs, "main issue reports", draft development plans and other planning authority papers) and public announcements of planning applications in the local press would seem to remain essential.
Pollokshields Heritage: The use of e-planning may well develop, but it should not be exclusive. Access to hard copy is vital and should be mandatory. Not all members of voluntary groups have ready access to up to date internet facilities, and even if we did not all documents are so available. We have tried and failed to access previous editions of the Structure Plan in Glasgow's
Mitchell Library, either by way of a hard copy, or via the Council's own web site, and that from within the Mitchell itself. It is further suggested that local authorities be encouraged to offer training sessions as to what planning matters are available on their web sites. Furthermore, it should be a criminal offence to publish electronically without page numbers and an index.
Portobello Campaign against the Superstore: Welcome the move to greater accessing of the planning system through the use of the internet and the ability to view documents, and more importantly, plans from a computer link rather than the time consuming visit to the planning office. Edinburgh already scans in its applications and along with better notification of neighbours when this passes to planning authorities, this will enable more local people to engage with the planning system. However, West Lothian, despite winning awards for its planning service, does not have this facility at present. The executive should lay down a time frame by which all planning authorities provide access over the internet to application details. This should be no later than the date that the new legislation comes into force.
Scottish Civic Trust (and Civic Trust Network): Practical issues are the key. It can lead to a decrease in openness as LPAs rely more and more on the internet to disseminate information (not everyone has adequate access).
Scottish Council for National Parks: E-Planning Is clearly a valuable tool which must be developed as fully as possible. However, access to computers and the internet is far from universal and it is important not to exclude anybody from the planning process because they do not have access to new technology.
St Andrews Preservation Trust: We have some reservations over this policy if it is implemented too soon. In future we might anticipate all households having a PC, being computer literate and the majority having access to the internet via Broadband but at present this is not the case. While welcoming the use of E-Planning we hope that paper versions will continue to be readily available to encourage the desired public participation.
The Grange Association: The increased use of electronic communication in the planning system is to be encouraged and will enable many people to access documents easily. However, it is imperative that it should be recognised that many do not have computer access or skills and so the 'conventional' hard copy system should run in parallel with electronic data access.
Private Individuals
Anonymous: I suggest that computer drawings of proposed developments should be an essential part of the plans submitted by developers. Kitchen designers frequently use this method and it enables people to visualize the outcome of their designs. Such images should include the development set in its surrounding buildings and landscape as this is what people want to see. The internet could be used to show such designs as it will be difficult for everyone to go to the four central locations for planning in Scotland.
Anonymous: How are the public to be consulted in the first place? There must be more publicity re development plans, not only on web sites, but in local newspapers and readily seen adverts.
Oliver, Jean: Not everyone has access to the internet or would those who do have access necessarily be "surfing" at the right time for them. Notices in the local press, posted on site and weekly lists appearing at a pre-arranged venue are all important. We are a very rural, scattered community.