Take home alterations out of system, research says

Many routine applications should come out of planning system, on study's findings

News, 11 December 2006

Almost 40% of routine applications for domestic extensions or alterations can be taken out of the planning system entirely, according to research published today.

An Executive-commissioned research team led by Heriot Watt University suggests that planners' time would be better spent on priorities such as updating local development plans and involving communities.

The report was prepared as part of the preparation for the Planning etc (Scotland) Bill which is now awaiting royal assent after being approved by the Scottish Parliament. The bill creates a hierarchy of planning applications under which minor developments will be approved by council officials or drop out of the planning system altogether.

Householder developments account for about half of the 52,000 planning applications received by local authorities every year in Scotland, mostly for alterations or extensions. The researchers found that 97% of these applications are approved. However they also make up one third of all appeals, and more than half of all enforcement cases.

According to the report, the planning application usually operates as a precautionary process, largely confirming that the development is not contentious. Most proposed developments do not raise issues significant enough to warrant restrictive conditions on a planning permission, and the level of scrutiny given to them is disproportionate to the environmental risks involved, when taken in relation to the risks from outdated development plans and delayed decisions on major development proposals.

Reflecting concerns

The report therefore recommends that householder permitted development rights should be extended and should also apply to flats where appropriate. However it cautions that any changes have to reflect concerns about development overlooking or overshadowing neighbouring properties.

Deputy Communities Minister Des McNulty said: "We are at the start of a whole new era of planning modernisation - spearheaded by the provisions in the Planning Bill.

"We want to make the system more efficient and responsive and get rid of red tape which causes needless delay and frustration.

"At the same time, we have to keep necessary planning controls to reflect concerns of neighbours and others.

The Executive intends to hold a full public consultation on legislative proposals next year. These will involve amendments to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992.