Planning reforms unveiled
29 Jun 05
New structure aims to treat applications according to their size and impact
A new hierarchy for the Scottish planning system will allow effective planning for a range of different types of development, and applications to be dealt with in a way appropriate to their size and impact.
That is the aim of the white paper on modernising the planning system, published by the Executive today.
Communities Minister Malcolm Chisholm, launching the paper, said this was a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to ensure the system delivers for Scotland's communities and has a positive effect on the country's economy.
Under the proposals, a National Planning Framework (NPF) will be established to secure the delivery of national policies and programmes. Below this, there will be a new process to determine applications for developments at national, major and local level, and a review of the extent to which very small applications can be removed from the planning system altogether.
Sustainable development will be promoted through improved procedures for looking at environmental consequences, and aiming for high quality design.
The majority of the more than 50,000 applications made annually would count as "local developments", and new procedures will mean both their determination and any appeals being handled at local level.
A range of new requirements in development planning will also be introduced to make the production of plans quicker, more predictable, more accessible and responsive to local views. Development plans, which would move to a single tier of plan everywhere except the four largest city areas, should become simpler and contain a clear vision of how areas should evolve.
The plans would take a long-term view, identify sufficient land to meet key needs of economic growth and housing development, and protect important natural and built heritage resources. They would be the core documents against which planning applications will be measured for determination.
They would require to be updated every five years, and a single proposed plan would replace the present system of consultative and finalised drafts.
A range of efficiency measures will also be introduced, including greater use of e-planning and the introduction of standard application forms.
The paper does not adopt the calls for an objector's right of appeal. Instead it puts forward a range of measures intended to give local people confidence that their views have been properly considered: a new statutory requirement for pre-application consultations; new procedures to ensure wide public participation in forming development plans; more frequent use of hearings to allow local people to present their views; and a new requirement for planning authorities to give reasons for their decisions, and notify individuals who had made representations.
The appeals system will be reformed to create a greater sense of equality by introducing early determination of appeals that are not well-founded, and bringing in new procedures that ensure an appeal is a review of the decision taken in light of the information submitted and limiting the right to introduce new evidence to support the appeal.
Mr Chisholm said: "This package of reforms, which I hope people will consider as a whole, is long overdue. It is a substantial and well thought out package that will deliver a wide-ranging and comprehensive modernisation of our planning system.
He added: "We will devolve decisions and appeals to local authorities wherever possible.
"Our reforms will ensure a planning system based on up to date, relevant and accessible development plans, that have been drawn up with the full participation of local people and with a full assessment of their environmental impacts."
The white paper can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/06/27113519/35231 .