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Democracy in Planning

The new planning legislation brought in last August was sold as enabling a less confrontational, more conciliatory approach to planning. However, we are concerned that the changes in policy, are simply acting to make it easier to push development through, rather than helping create better developments.

Developers are required to consult with local communities for 3 months before submitting major planning applications.  Developers, are obeying the letter of the regulations and the best were already positively engaging the community in their plans.  But frequently the consultation is a short exhibition with maybe a presentation and a question and answer session.  

There is little evidence of plans changing as a result of the extra consultation.  Some developers are clearly treating this as merely a hoop to be jumped through.

Planning authorities are also under pressure to determine applications quickly.  Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City now only allow 21 days for the submission of objections.   This is very little time for large complex applications and to deal with all the technical issues associated with "bad neighbours" such as quarries, landfill sites and incinerators.

We believe that

  • we need a third party right of appeal so that major developments can not be pushed through without proper scrutiny
  • pre application consultations must be meaningful engagements with the local community and planning authorities must be able to turn down applications where consultation has been inadequate.
  • targets for determination of planning applications should include measures of the quality of the decision not merely the elapsed time.
  • the overall aim of planning is not the Scottish Government nonsensical mantra of "sustainable economic growth" but must be re-focused to create communities that are great places to live and work and that minimise our impact on the environment. 
If you are interested in applications in your area, please consult http://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/planning or http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/planning

Planning Alerts for your locality may be available via http://www.planningalerts.com

 

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