This presentation was given by Planning Aid Scotland at the Greener Leith AGM, 2009. It aims to explain how the planning system in Scotland works, and how people can influence it.

2. Planning Aid for Scotland - who we are
unique independent
national charity helping people not part of Scottish Government
engage with planning or any Local Authority
the leading voice ... capacity building
on people engagement get people involved in changes
professional, trusted & impartial to their local area - and beyond
far reaching
far-reaching volunteer based
volunteer-based
aim to improve public & use volunteers’ expertise to
professional engagement skills provide advice and training

3. hard choices ...

4. why is planning important?
planning ...
guides the future development and use of land
is b
i about where development should happen,
h d l h ld h
where it should not, and how it interacts with its
surroundings
operates in the long term public interest
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Scottish Planning Policy (2008)
homes
economic d
i development
l t
transport
flooding & drainage
renewable energy
historic built environment
natural heritage
community assets and facilities
y

5. how does planning work?
• development planning
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• allocation of future land-use
• outlines planning proposals and policies
• main basis for determining p
g planning applications
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• development management
• process by which planning applications are
• determined by the council.
• (formerly known as ‘development control’)
• enforcement
• dealing with unauthorised development

6. reform: increased involvement
Inclusive: local people to be more
involved in the decisions that shape the
development of their communities
Increased consultation provides greater
opportunities for community involvement
in:
•Development Plans
•Development Management

7. Development Plans – a plan led system
National Planning Strategic Local Development
Framework Development Plans Plans

8. Development Management:
the hierarchy of development
national
identified by Scottish Government in National Planning Framework
Central Scotland Green Network
Scapa Flow Transhipment facility
major
11 categories, identified by Scottish Government
50 h
houses or more or site bi
it bigger th 2 h
than ha.
new road, rail/tram/water-way or pipeline of 8km or more
local
all other development, house extensions etc
national & major proposals require pre-application consultation

9. what we do
planning advice
• free advice service
• impartial & facilitating “you are running a wonderful
& much needed service”
• volunteers-led
• all RTPI-qualified “your volunteer talked
me through what was
• for individuals/community
required & pointed me
groups in the right direction”

10. our planning advice service:
provides information on any aspect of planning ...
planning applications planning appeals & inquiries
development plans & policy queries and procedures
environmental matters enforcement
... we deal with around 700 enquiries per year

11. what we do
training
for communities for professionals
• Planning to Act® • Elected Members
Training
T i i
• Reach Out
• Planning for People™ • Training for Planning
Professionals
P f i l
• Community Council
Training • Mediation Skills
• Development Plan • SP=EED
Examination Training

12. planning for people™ planning to act®
de-mystifying the planning system arts-based workshop focusing on planning
planning for people™ planning to act ®
• general public & • community artists /
community groups volunteer planners
• build bridges • arts-based learning
• presentations, workshops • young people (12-18)
& discussion • what is planning?
• networkingg • citizenship

13. what we do
action research
• primary education
programme
• sharing good practice
• Roadshows
• Reach Out
• SP=EED

14. SP EED
SP=EED
a practical guide to effective &
meaningful community consultation
• specific to planning scenarios
• advice, methods & t h i
d i th d techniques
• examples of good practice
• relevant to community councils,
councils
planning authorities & developers
• PDF on PAS website
evolving project – let us know of good
or bad examples ...

15. we are here to help you ...
• Helpline (0845 603 7602)
• Website:
plannningaidscotland.org.uk
l i id tl d k
• information sheets
• friends’ membership
• friends’ events

16. www.planningaidscotland.org.uk
p g g

17. Training,
Advice Helpline:
rachel@planningaidscotland.org.uk
0845 603 7602
0131 220 9730