New consultation launched today

[Tennentslager]

https://beta.gov.scot/policies/planning-architecture/reforming-planning-system/

 

Looks fairly measured and sensible to me but I did glaze over after page 20...

[ProDave]

I had to follow a number of links to find the document. Here is a direct link http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00512753.pdf

 

 

It mostly seems to be about changing the way local plans are created.

 

A few things did jump out at me:

 

Removal of a free re application if planning is refused (extra cost for self builders in some cases)

 

There is talk of introducing an "infrastructure Levy" something Scotland has so far avoided.

Introduction of a charge for an appeal

Some more items included as permitted development but not details.

 

 

[jamiehamy]

" Keeping decisions local – rights of appeal. We believe that more review decisions should be made by local authorities rather than centrally." - except windfarms - in all these cases, the Scottish Government will ignore local decisions and grant them, with a fwe token exceptions to keep the plebs happy. 

 

" Getting more people involved in planning. A wider range of people should be encouraged and inspired to get involved in planning." - Good luck SG - The truth is Joe Public doesn't give a hoot about planning until it's near them, then they are the most uneducated experts in the world. 

 

" Improving public trust." - Again, good luck. Inverclyde Council have an appalling reputation and quite rightly so. Google 'Greenock Yellow House' for a laugh. 

 

" Developing skills to deliver outcomes" - what a load of claptrap - they must have been struggling for the list of 20!

 

" Giving people an opportunity to plan their own place" - something I welcome but something that in many areas will be impossible to deliver. Again using Inverclyde, but could equally be Argyll and Bute - these LAs have one plan - their own. Nothing else is allowed or considered. Community involvment is one way - they tell us what they are doing and will not work with communities. I have a feeling this is common across much of the country but not all). 

 

" Stronger local development plans" - LDPs are a waste of time and effort. They are a tick box exercise, nothing more. They are one vision, generally that of the LA and restrict innovation and new ideas. 

 

" Making plans that deliver" - as opposed to...?!

 

I'll read it in more detail later, but as @ProDave highlights, bar the infrastructure levy (which the SG WILL introduce - hell, they need the revenue with all the freebies up here), there is nothing fundamental;. 

 

My main issue here? Not a single reference to the Land Reform Act. That is surely a massive own goal. How can you push a Land Reform Act that has no connection with planning reform? If they do not work in tandem, they are not going to deliver anything new. Remember the Land Reform Act has one aim to allow people to buy land from big estate - but if that land is still reletively worthless thanks to a completely inflexible planning system, it will never deliver. So you can buy 10 acres of land somewhere? Great - but not if you can do nothing with it other than graze sheep...