2 METHODOLOGY
2.1 The research consisted of five main elements:
- A review of relevant research and literature relating to the processing of major planning applications across the UK.
- An extensive round of consultations with representatives from planning authorities in Scotland, statutory and non-statutory consultees and representatives from the development industry - including planning consultants, developers and planning solicitors.
- A workshop with eleven of these individuals and with representatives from the Scottish Government to review a draft model processing agreement.
- Consultation with representatives from planning authorities in England with experience in the delivery of planning performance agreements ( PPAs) (as they are termed in England) and experience in using the ATLAS service (an advisory service set up to support English planning authorities in the handling of major applications).
- A critical review of the services provided by ATLAS in England.
Consultations
2.2 Our consultations took the form of in-depth interviews, either face to face or on the phone. The interviews were based around topic guides tailored to the particular area of expertise of the interviewee and the nature of their engagement with the planning system. These topic guides were structured enough to provide a clear steer and ensure coverage of all areas of interest, but there was also scope for divergence and investigation of other relevant issues that emerged during the interview.
Scottish local authorities
2.3 The selection of case study Scottish local authorities and external consultees was agreed with the Scottish Government at an early stage, while the private sector developers and property advisors were drawn from a list agreed with the Scottish Government.
2.4 We interviewed eight Scottish authorities, which were selected to include some who had experience of aspects of processing agreements and other innovations - although none had used the processing agreement approach fully. We also sought to include authorities who had experience of other innovations, as well as authorities who had not been involved in any formal innovative processes, but had substantial experience of major planning applications. They are detailed in Table 2.1 below. The majority of these interviews were conducted on a face-to-face basis, although a small number were undertaken by telephone.
Table 2.1: Scottish Case Study Local Authorities
Name | Experience of using processing agreements | Other innovations |
|---|
City of Edinburgh | Attempted once | Set timescales for two applications |
East Dunbartonshire | Attempted but not successful | Service charter, which sets out specifications for information and undertakes to enter processing agreements where the developer is willing to supply agreed information to required standard timeously |
Highland | Set up, but abandoned when timescales not met | Co-ordinating infrastructure input from statutory consultees for a strategic development area |
Glasgow City | None | Fast track applications protocol, which suggests that processing agreements will be used for certain major applications |
West Lothian | None | None - although considerable emphasis on speed of decision making |
Aberdeenshire | None | Formal pre-application process, with form and monthly meeting with all consultees |
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park | None | _ |
North Lanarkshire | None | - |
Statutory consultees and other public sector organisations
2.5 In our consultations with statutory consultees, we focused on the five statutory consultees with most wide-ranging engagement in the planning process, and we conducted face to face interviews with representatives from each of these:
- Transport Scotland
- Scottish Water
- Scottish Environment Protection Agency ( SEPA)
- Scottish Natural Heritage ( SNH)
- Historic Scotland
2.6 In addition, we discussed the same issues with four other consultees 6 in phone interviews:
- Architecture and Design Scotland
- Health and Safety Executive ( HSE)
- Civil Aviation Authority ( CAA)
- BAA Scotland
Property industry consultations
2.7 Our consultations with representatives of the property industry were extensive, including representatives from fourteen organisations. This included six developers, four planning consultants, and three planning solicitors. In addition, we interviewed a representative from the Home Builders Federation in England.
Consultations with English Planning Authorities
2.8 Six case study authorities were chosen on the basis of their experience in using Planning Performance Agreements ( PPAs), their involvement with ATLAS and experience of dealing with major applications. Guildford Borough Council and Cambridge City Council took part in face to face interviews and the remaining four were contacted via email. Bristol - one of our selected case study authorities - was subsequently unable to take part in the study. A structured topic guide was used with each local planning authority.
2.9 The English local authority case studies are set out in Table 2.2 below.
Table 2.2: English Case Study Authorities
Name | PPA | ATLAS | Other innovations |
|---|
Bristol | PPA case study (Dove Lane) | | |
|---|
Guildford | PPA case study (Slyfield) | | |
|---|
Birmingham | Early PPA pilot authority 7 | | |
|---|
Lambeth | PPA case study (Stockwell Park) | Closed ATLAS case (Chapham Park) | |
|---|
South Gloucestershire | | Closed ATLAS case (Northfield) | |
|---|
Cambridge | | | Authority under pressure which has looked at other approaches as well as using ATLAS |
|---|
Internal consultation
2.10 An internal consultation with two divisions within the Tribal Group (Tribal MJP and Tribal Urban Studios) who have particular involvement in the planning process also took place via email.
Model Processing Agreement Workshop
2.11 Following extensive consultations we developed a model processing agreement and proposed timeline for processing major and national planning applications. We presented this at a workshop with eleven representatives from each of the groups within our initial consultations. Representatives from the Scottish Government were also present at this workshop.
2.12 The feedback to this model agreement provided vital input in finalising the agreement and maximising its applicability in different situations. Further details of this workshop are provided in Section 6 below.
Review of ATLAS
2.13 The research also included a review of the ATLAS model in England. This involved:
- in-depth face-to-face consultation with key members of staff at ATLAS, including the Head of the Service
- discussion with local authorities who have had experience of using the ATLAS service
- review of evaluation reports and monitoring reports relating to the service
- review of guidance materials published by the service
- review of support and advice available via the website
2.14 This provided a basis from which to assess whether a similar type of service might be appropriate for Scotland.