Improving the Planning System
Local MSP Linda Fabiani is encouraging people to contribute to a consultation on improving the planning system. The Scottish government hopes to create local review bodies comprising of councillors to hear appeals for small-scale, local developments. Currently appeals against planning decisions taken by planning officers have to go to Scottish Ministers but it is now hoped that most of these appeals will instead be heard at a local level by councillors so, creating a faster and more efficient planning system.
A consultation paper seeking views on implementation of the changes and recommending a reduction in the time limit for appeals to be lodged from six to three months has been published.
Linda Fabiani said:
“This government wants to see the planning and development procedures speeded up the proposals contained in our Modernising Planning Appeals consultation are intended to encourage greater efficiency in the planning system
“Where applicants are not satisfied with a decision taken on a local application, it is more appropriate that a review of that decision is by local councillors, instead of Scottish Ministers because this will enable planning appeals to move more swiftly through the system. The proposals on which we are consulting will give all parties a clearer indication of how we envisage the changes working in practice.
”The consultation covers the detailed procedures that should apply to review local planning applications, planning appeals and preparing schemes of delegation and runs until May 14. I would encourage anyone with an interest in planning matters to respond to the consultation.”
The consultation document ‘Modernising Planning Appeals’ can be accessed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current
Finalised regulations are intended to be in place early in 2009.
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