News In Focus
1 September 2010
Government updates advice on planning and communities
A planning advice note updating guidance on ensuring that communities can effectively engage in the planning system has been published by the Scottish Government.
Under the new planning regime introduced last year, communities are intended to have an enhanced role at an early stage in the formation of development plans and individual proposals. The new document provides advice to communities on how they can get involved, and advice to planning authorities and developers on ways of effectively engaging with communities.
Government policy on community engagement in the planning system is contained in the Scottish Planning Policy published in February 2010. It promotes effective engagement with the public as leading to better plans, better decisions and more satisfactory outcomes, and helping to avoid delays in the planning process, as well as improving confidence in the fairness of the planning system.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stewart Stevenson said:
"We recognise both the important role planning plays in building strong and sustainable economic growth in Scotland and the interest of communities in development plans and proposals.
"We want to ensure that planning authorities and developers are clear on the need to engage with communities when policies are developed, and when planning proposals are being brought forward. We believe increased public engagement can produce more satisfactory outcomes and help avoid delays in the planning system."
Planning Aid for Scotland, an independent charity which supports community engagement, welcomed the new document, with which it has been closely involved. Chief executive Petra Biberbach said: “The new guidance is clearer and more focused and emphasises the importance of SP=EED, the PAS toolkit for better community engagement in planning.
“We look forward to working with the new guidelines and with our partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors, to ensure that we achieve a fully inclusive planning system across Scotland.”
Click here to access the planning advice note.