scottish planner

In his foreword to the consultation,John Swinney states that “The ScottishGovernment is working with COSLA,local authorities, key agencies and thedevelopment industry to ensure wehave amodern, future-facing planningsystemwhich is properly resourced inorder to deliver quality outcomes.”The consultation contains some toughquestions and looks at how planning canbe resourced more effectively in thecontext of public sector constraints and

slower rates of development. This is achallenging task and will requireinnovative thinking.

Scottish Ministers are committed toensuring that issues relating to resourcesand quality of service are linked, and tothe continuing improvement of planningperformance to ensure delivery of aquality service. How this is to beachieved in the current economic climeraises major issues relating to funding,the profile of planning within local

government, performance assessment,quality auditing, staffing and training.

It is vital that all professional plannersengage in this debate. Now, more thanever before, we need new constructiveideas and leadership. This is yourplanning system, your expertise, yourjob! The RTPI in Scotland will be hostinga number of discussions through theScottish Executive Committee, thePolicy Sub-committee, the Chapters andthe Scottish Young Planners NetworkSteering Group. Please contribute yourthoughts and register your interests andconcerns to [email protected]

A Manifesto for PlanningThe need for appropriate resourcingof planning as a major contributor toeconomic recovery will also be themain theme in the RTPI in Scotland’sManifesto for Planning, which we arepreparing in advance of the 2011Scottish Parliamentary elections. Ourwork on the Manifesto was kick-startedat a recent meeting of the RTPI inScotland’s Previous Conveners’ TaskGroup, and will be continued throughthe important work of the RTPI ScottishExecutive Committee. Planning inScotland has a central role to play inimproving the quality of life, supportingeconomic recovery, protecting ourenvironment and strengthening localdemocratic decision-making.

ScottishplannerJournal of the RTPI in Scotland

No 136 : Aug 2010mediation of space • making of place

Thanks to our sponsors:

Resources for Planning:what’s in it for you?

continued on page 4

Scottish Government published its important consultation Resourcing a HighQuality Planning System on 7 July and we have until 15 October to respond.The consultation looks specifically at fees associated with planningapplications; the resourcing of the planning system; and ways of reviewingand assessing performance.

From the RTPIManifesto for Planning 2010.

AUGUST 2010 Scottishplanner

02 www.rtpi.org.uk/rtpi_in_scotland/

03 Convener’s Comments

Update04 A Government Review of Reform – Scottish Government

04 Resources for Planning: what’s in it for you? Veronica Burbridge… continued from front cover

05 AView from Edinburgh’s Planning Committee – Cllr Jim Lowrie

06 Planning Reform:TAYplan – experiences to date – Pam Ewen

07 Planning Reform: One Year On – Roland Bean

Focus on Planning Reform: one year on08 SNH: a new approach – Richard Ferguson

09 Planning Reform: how was it for you? – Andrew Mickel

10 Reflections One Year On – Murray Shaw

12 Good intentions … – Andrew Robinson

13 RTPI Network Members Join the Debate

Views and News14 Scottish Government – skills and learning update

14 Opinions on the Modernised Planning System – Scottish Government

15 What became of the class of 2009? – Joanna Stewart andVeronica Burbridge

16 News and Events

18 Policy Briefing

20 Directory

contentsEditorial

�

Resources for planning will be at the forefrontof discussions over the next two months.Please engage in the Institute’s consultationresponse and submit your views on what makesfor a ‘high quality planning system.’

This edition of Scottish Planner focuses onPlanning Reform: one year on and includesexperiences and views from a range of sectors,central and local government, agency, privatedeveloper and consultancy. There’s a mixed set ofresponses with continuing concerns expressedabout more rather than less bureaucracy and thefurther need to reduce complexity. It wouldappear that ‘the jury is still out,’ but innovativeapproaches are emerging and all sectors are eagerto share experiences.

Students and graduates are very importantresources for the future. The article on page 15reports on our current research, funded by thePlanning Exchange Foundation, and explores thecurrent prospects facing graduates in their earlyyears of employment in Scotland. There are anumber of interesting recommendations emergingfrom this study which I hope will be taken forwardthrough the Scottish Planning Education Forum.

I hope you find the articles of interest and help indealing with the challenges that lie ahead.As ever,we are extremely grateful to Biggart Baillie LLPand Halcrow for their sponsorship of the ScottishPlanner; and for the support of our advertisers.

Veronica BurbridgeEditor

Editor Veronica BurbridgeProduction James Henderson

Potential articles and photographs are welcome.The Editor reserves the right to amend articles as necessary.

Enquiries to: the Editor, Scottishplanner, RTPI in Scotland,57 Melville St, Edinburgh, EH3 7HLTel: 0131 226 1959; email: [email protected]

The opinions stated are the contributors’ own unlessotherwise stated. The RTPI is not responsible for statementsmade or views expressed in this journal.

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Scottishplanner is the Journal of the Royal TownPlanning Institute in Scotland, and is distributed freeby direct mail to all Members in Scotland. It is alsoavailable on the web at www.scotland.rtpi.org.uk Scottishplanner Sponsors

From pre-application right up to anyappeal, our highly-focused, partner-ledteam advises on all aspects of planning.Specifically, our experience covers housing,business, retail, leisure, industry, transport,waste, energy and minerals, as well asnatural and built heritage matters.

We act for developers, local authoritiesand any other party involved in planningmatters. At Biggart Baillie we prideourselves on seeing the planningand related issues in the round.For further information, please visitwww.biggartbaillie.co.uktwitter.com/biggartbaillie

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07 08 09

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Convener’sComments

Seeking innovationResources will be a major factor.Achieving more with less hasbecome a mantra in almost everyarea of life. Many are sceptical aboutthe impact of reducing resources,but others see opportunities todevelop more effective ways ofworking together and applyingresources across planningauthorities, agencies, the third sectorand the private sector. Could aperiod of austerity help us generatethe efficiency, effectiveness andinclusion that the reforms aspiredto? Two areas where someinnovative approaches could beproductive include addressing theinfrastructure issues to supportproject delivery and meetingaspirations for increasedinvolvement in, and ownership of,the new development plans.

Resourcing infrastructure todayrequires innovative funding modelsunderpinned by an increasedunderstanding of the issues amongall stakeholders. Such anunderstanding may require anincreased openness and a willingnessto work together among developers,planning authorities and

infrastructure providers. It willrequire planners to work even moreclosely with other built environmentprofessionals to enable delivery.

Engagement andinvolvementMeeting the aspirations forincreased involvement in planningat a time of reducing resources isequally challenging. The revised andupdated Planning Advice Note 81will help and Planning Aid forScotland is leading the creation ofnew tools and standards for effectiveengagement in planning. Again thereare opportunities to develop newmodels of engagement, drawing onthe skills and knowledge of planningauthorities, agencies, the third sectorand others.We know that plannersare the most active of professionalsvolunteering in their own field inScotland, and through this areimproving awareness of andinvolvement in planning. In this role,planners improve their own skillsand build the capacity of all thestakeholders. It should not bebeyond us to find ways of makinglinks and drawing on this experienceto help address the challenge andadd value for everyone involved.

Valuing planning andplannersAs we work to ensure that planningaddresses climate change anddelivers sustainable development,and that the ambitions of thereforms are realised, this is anexciting time to be involved inplanning in Scotland. As planningsystems evolve across the nationsof the UK and new tools or waysof working emerge, for examplenew funding mechanisms or newrelationships with otherprofessionals, it is even moreimportant that the RTPI positionsitself, champions planning andplanners, supports its Members, andhelps them to develop the skills andknowledge they need to deliver. Ifthe RTPI is to play a leading role andreflect the needs and aspirations ofplanners in Scotland, it needs todraw on the experience, energyand enthusiasm so obvious in thework of the Chapters and in thevolunteering mentioned earlier.I would be very pleased if thepassion for planning, evidentat a personal and local level,were to be reflected inthe nominations to theScottish ExecutiveCommittee for 2011.

Planning reformone year on is a common theme among planners inScotland at present. No one could dispute that substantialprogress has been made but it would be unfair to reach any firmconclusions on the success of the reforms at this stage.Theoutcomes are likely to become clear only after several iterationsof the new development plans. In addition, it is inevitable that theoperating environment will change.The recession is one exampleof such a change, the increasing urgency of addressing climatechange another.Whether the aspirations of the reforms areachieved will depend on our ingenuity in developing the skills andknowledge and creating the new tools and ways of working neededto deliver the outcomes we want in that changing environment.

03

Ian Angus MRTPIConvener, RTPI in Scotland’sScottish Executive Committee



: UPDATE

Resources for Planning: what’s in it for you?… continued from page 1

The Manifesto will set out our vision forthe next five years and so we need yourviews and support in developing thisdocument. Please do contribute yourideas – what would your three ‘asks’ beof political parties and the futureScottish Government? Please getinvolved and add value to this process.

Involvement in RTPI inScotland workOne way of becoming involved is to play

a role in the life of your professionalInstitute in Scotland.We are beginning toplan the RTPI in Scotland’s work for 2011and are seeking enthusiastic membersto serve on our Scottish ExecutiveCommittee to help to maintain theprofile of the profession in Scotland; toensure that member services are definedand delivered effectively; and torepresent planning interests within andoutwith Scotland. This is importantwork in these challenging times.

The Institute is only as good as itsmembership; please consider playing amore active role. The nomination papersfor the election to the SEC are enclosedwith this copy of the Scottish Planner.Please consider putting your nameforward and if you would like moreinformation about the work of SECmembers, contact me at Melville St.

Veronica Burbridge, National Director,RTPI in Scotland

Early indications are that, despitea few initial concerns, planningauthorities have successfully madethe transition. Many authoritieshave successfully implemented theePlanning system, with an estimated18% of all applications beingsubmitted using the ePlanningScotland website.

SG is working with Heads of PlanningScotland to resolve issues withneighbour notification and pre-application consultation requirementsfor applications to change planningconditions. SG has visited a numberof planning authorities to see thevarious approaches being taken onneighbour notification, and have setup a short-lived working group ofplanning authority representatives toconsider possible legislative changes.Meetings have also been held withrepresentatives from private sectorsolicitors, planning authorities,developers and community groups, toidentify the issues and to considermeasures to try to alleviate difficultiesrelating to pre-applicationconsultation and the amendmentof conditions.

Making progressThere has been significant progressfrom all of the signatories ofDelivering Planning Reform. Practicalsolutions are being developed bymany planning authorities, forexample: Aberdeen City Council hasdeveloped an automated neighbournotification process using the sameprocess as that for producing payslips;Highland Council has introducedformalised pre-application discussions;and the City of Edinburgh Council andEdinburgh Chamber of Commercehave signed a concordat formalisingagreed responsibilities. SG will publish

fuller accounts of these and othercase studies on the planning sectionof the SG websitewww.scotland.gov.uk/planning.

Further evidence will be collectedand analysed by SG throughout thesummer and the results will bereported to Ministers later this year.SG would be very pleased to hearabout your experiences of any aspectof the development managementprocess, good or bad, and to considerany case study examples you mightwant to put forward. Please [email protected]

A Government Review of ReformFollowing a year of implementation, Scottish Government (SG) is taking stock of the developmentmanagement regulations. The aim is to ensure the procedures deliver the intended benefits, to foster goodpartnership-working and to ensure that new administrative or legal barriers are not being introduced.Evidence is being drawn from a range of sources including formal and informal correspondence fromcommunities, developers and planning authorities.

© image courtesy of Scottish Government

mailto:[email protected]

0305

Much has been written by planningprofessionals in recent editions of theScottishplanner on how their role haschanged since the introduction ofplanning reforms. The new guidancehas also placed new responsibilities onpoliticians like myself and, while theroles of those of us involved in theprocess are quite different, we are allcharged in Scottish Planning Policy withthe same aim that of helping to deliversustainable economic growth.

Development PlansRe-asserting the importance ofdevelopment plans is a priority for us inEdinburgh. The preparation of the newStrategic Development Plan (SDP) by theEdinburgh and South East ScotlandStrategic Development Plan Authority(SESplan) is important to me. SESplan isthe new strategic planning area madeup of six member authorities, Fife,Scottish Borders and the four Lothianauthorities. I serve on its JointCommittee which meets regularly tomake key decisions regarding the SDP,including its resourcing. Planning for anew area inevitabIy brings a new set ofchallenges and I am pleased to say thatwe now have a Main Issues Report,currently out for public consultation.

Development managementAs Planning Committee members, wehave re-structured our meetings toprioritise the more complex majorplanning applications. A comprehensivetraining programme has supported us inour decision-making role: this is ongoing

and is organised by our senior officers,with participant presenters from all keystakeholders involved in the process.My one reservation about the moretransparent planning process is that ithas arguably raised the expectations oflocal communities, some of whom feelthey have an automatic right to presenttheir views at planning committee. Giventhe volume of applications and the levelof public comment in this City, it is justnot possible to accommodate hearingson all proposals raising communityconcerns, but we do give carefulconsideration to all views submitted.

New responsibilities for us as councillorsmean that I serve on one of the threeLocal Review Body panels set up inEdinburgh to re-examine delegateddecisions made on local developments.This new process required additionaltraining and has placed demands on ouralready busy schedules. In my view theprocess has so far worked well, and Iam confident we have demonstratedopenness, fairness and transparency inour decisions.

Some categories of major applicationare now referred to full Council for

final determination. I think this addslittle to the application process. In myopinion these decisions should restwith the Planning Committee and thismeasure has done nothing more thanintroduce a new layer of bureaucracyinto the process.

A Planning ConcordatOne of the more positive outcomesof planning reform has been thedevelopment of partnership-working. Irecently signed a Planning Concordat,on behalf of the Council with EdinburghChamber of Commerce (see page 11),which aims to help ensure the deliveryof a more efficient planning service,responsive to the needs of business.We are already working more closelywith the business community throughour Development Forum, set up last yearas a ‘one door approach’ for thedevelopment industry to engage withthe planning system in the City.

Finally, a year on from the introductionof many of the reforms it is possibly alittle too early to comment on whetherthese have achieved positive outcomes,at least from my own perspective as acouncillor.While there have been someearly teething problems, I remainoptimistic that the changes will help usachieve the high-quality sustainabledevelopment and resulting economicprosperity that we are seeking in ourCity. However, even at this stage, I thinkthat that there are some aspects of thenew system which should be reviewed.

Councillor Jim Lowrie is Convener of the City of Edinburgh PlanningCommittee, and has been Scottish Liberal Democrat member forFountainbridge and Craiglockhart for the last 11 years. He is also onthe board of EdinburghWorldHeritage.

AView fromEdinburgh’s Planning Committee

© image courtesy of Charles Strang

My one reservation aboutthe more transparent planningprocess is that it has arguablyraised the expectations of localcommunities, some of whomfeel they have an automaticright to present their views atplanning committee.”

“

© image courtesy of City of Edinburgh Council



: UPDATE - PLANNING REFORM

Back in April 2009, TAYplan had a governance structure inplace, but an empty office and no permanent staff in post.14 months on, the Main Issues Report (MIR) consultation iscomplete, the TAYplan brand established, and all stakeholdersare now aligned to help deliver the project plan.

The MIR has been delivered in the spirit of the new legislation.It is not a draft plan. It is informed by research and monitoring.It puts placemaking at its heart; it integrates climate changematters throughout; and it focuses on delivering sustainableeconomic growth. It is good, not perfect.

Working with communities and investorsThere is confusion out there about the new system, notunusual during a time of big change, and so the four SDPAsin Scotland have produced a leaflet (see www.tayplan-sdpa.gov.uk/SDPA_A5_leaflet.pdf) to communicate thesechanges and to support planners in their work withcommunities and investors.

TAYplan’s request for online consultation responses haslargely worked well, but it has needed strong support from theprivate sector, partners and stakeholders. This way of workingcan speed up the planning process and thus the delivery ofreform, and some have suggested it should be mandatory.

Engaging communities and other interested parties was doneacross a 12-week period, the most comprehensive strategicplanning consultation I’ve worked on. Engagement onstrategic planning issues is neither easy nor instantly rivetingto the person on the street: how we explain these issues andthe ways they relate to community concerns is an area weneed to improve upon, potentially through using illustrationsas well as words.

Developing a collaborative approachLeadership and collaborative partnership-working arefundamental to implementing this reform. Those in leadershiproles in Scottish planning need to drive forward the change,innovate and share the lessons learnt.

I’ve changed the way I work with key stakeholders, whohave become part of a ‘virtual team’, providing expert adviceand acting as a sounding board. Their input is vital, and issupported by an environment of mutual respect in whichopen, challenging and positive communication prevails.

Opportunities and challengesStarting afresh with a new Authority and StrategicDevelopment Plan (SDP) has advantages and challenges.One of the former is that systems and processes are devisedfrom scratch and therefore aligned to fit the new process, inparticular the Examination. Another is that SDPA core staff

and resources are not constantly being pulled in otherdirections, allowing a strong focus.

The timescales set out for the SDP, in Circular 1/2009, at firstseemed tight. In reality, to date, they have been deliverable;although significant time has been required within theprocess to build partner ownership and commitment. I’mhoping that, once the Plan is submitted to Ministers, thewhole process will be completed within the 52 weekssuggested in the Circular.

Although not part of the statutory process, the two strategicMIRs issued so far have built in pre-consultation phases toidentify key issues. For TAYplan, the purpose has been not onlyto seek early comments but also to ensure that potentialstrategic locations for new development have beenconsidered from the start and aligned with the StrategicEnvironmental Assessment; and, likewise, to raise awarenessof TAYplan and the nature of an SDP. Such work may not beneeded next time round.

Keeping it in proportionI couldn’t reflect on the delivery of reform without using thenew buzz word in development planning ‘proportionate’.Planning is about apportioning: a balancing act where wesometimes feel on an endless tightrope. However, let’s not dwellon the small issues that arise first time round: instead, let’s allowourselves to wobble a bit along that rope and focus oncommunicating the positive, whilst capturing the lessons learnt.

The views expressed are the author’s own and not necessarilythose of TAYplan.

TAYplan - experiences to dateIs reform working one year on?Yes, most definitely forthe TAYplan Strategic Development Planning Authority(SDPA), explains Pam Ewen, TAYplan SDPA Manager.

Engagement on strategic planning issues isneither easy nor instantly riveting to the person onthe street: how we explain these issues and the waysthey relate to community concerns is an area weneed to improve upon, potentially through usingillustrations as well as words.

“

”

© image courtesy of TAYplan

I’m sure most planning services foundthe introduction of the new Act quite achallenge – we certainly did – and ourapplication performance suffered forseveral months.We allocated time andresources to prepare; appointing aPlanning Change Manager and settingup a working group to support politicalunderstanding and train electedmembers, staff, agents and communitycouncils. It was fortunate that thedownturn in applications gave us somecapacity to address the new processes.

Development management: Thehierarchy is useful in emphasisingimportant applications, but our ruralcommunities feel the threshold for‘major’ housing is too high. Pre-application consultation withcommunities is bedding in better thanI’d thought, and some developers havemanaged to reduce significantly thenumber of objections expected.Wedo need more clarity on the role ofplanners and members in suchconsultation; our view is that it is amatter for developer and community.

Neighbour notification is better doneby the planning authority, but we haveconcerns at the variations acrossauthorities.We underestimated thecomplexity of introducing this and itslowed down our validation processesfor a time.

The requirement for formal schemesof delegation is helpful. However, aswe already had a generous scheme ofdelegation, we now have to put more

to Committee; not least because ofthe requirement to put all Councilapplications to Committee, no matterhow small or uncontroversial. I can seeno good reason for this.

The added complexities were meant tobe offset prior to the introduction ofthe Act by a significant reduction inhouseholder applications: one year on,

we still await increased permitteddevelopment (PD) rights.

Enforcement:We’ve appointed anadditional enforcement officer to usethe new ‘start’ notices to pro-activelycheck that suspensive conditions havebeen met and that conditions on siteare being adhered to. This has provedto be an effective way of dealing withthese matters - word has got roundlocal developers!

Local Review Body: The LRB took somesetting up as a new Committee with itsown support mechanisms and training.Unlike many others, this Councilappointed an independent planningadvisor to the LRB. I believe this isimportant for appellants and objectorssince it gives independence to theappeal process. So far, its proportion ofdismissals mirrors that of DPEA. Some

appellants are finding it a challenge tohave no further right of appeal.

Development planning: It is a bit earlyto judge the new system in practice,but the Development Plan Scheme andConsultation Statements are usefuldisciplines.We are involved in theTAYplan Strategic Development Plan andhave just finished consultation on theMain Issues Report (MIR).

Our Local Development Plan MIR goesto Council in September and willinclude the level of detail needed forthe public to fully participate in thenew front-loaded system.We have hadvery good input from Governmentagencies; evidence that they areprepared to be more strategic.

So, is planning reform working?I think the jury is still out, and will beuntil the new development plans are inplace, but the new system has probablyadded more bureaucracy than it has

removed – certainly without as yet anysignificant relaxation in PD rights.

Delivering Planning Reform1 is forall stakeholders in the developmentprocess, but I’ve seen little evidenceof improvement in developers’submissions. The role of Governmentagencies is changing and I’m lessconcerned than I was about the impact- on planning authorities - of their workbecoming more strategic.

The next big challenge is the quality ofdevelopment plans and the extent ofbuy-in from all involved … and thecurrent economic climate, of course.

The views expressed are the author’sown and not necessarily those of Perthand Kinross Council.

One Year On …

The added complexities were meant to be offset priorto the introduction of the Act by a significant reduction inhouseholder applications: one year on, we still await increasedpermitted development rights.”

“

07

Running the rapids of reform? River Tay in the centre of Perth, looking north to Smeaton’sBridge © image courtesty of Perth

Roland Bean,Head of Planning with Perth and KinrossCouncil, reflects on a year of many challenges.

1 View Scottish Government’s Delivering PlanningReform at www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/243444/0067748.pdf.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/243444/0067748.pdf

AUGUST 2010 Scottishplanner : FOCUS ON PLANNING REFORM -


Q:What is SNH’s main contributionto Delivering Planning Reform?

RF: Our main aim is working withothers to support good developmentsin the right places.We are trying tobe more enabling, proportionate andcollaborative in our approach toplanning work.

Q: If SNH is reducing advice-relatedcasework, shouldn’t resources betransferred from SNH to planningauthorities?

RF:We’re trying to shift our efforts‘upstream’, and putting more effortinto the new development planningprocess and engaging more in ‘pre-application’ work. So we need to reducewhat we do ‘downstream’ and getinvolved in fewer cases. However, thisneed not greatly increase the timespent by planning authority (PA)officials in such cases. Indeed, PAsmight even save time by making moreassessments themselves andcorresponding less with SNH.

Q: SNH has skills that PAs don’thave, so won’t the loss of thesefrom some cases result in poorerdecisions?

RF: SNH will still advise on the biggercases requiring our specialist inputs,e.g. EIA cases, and proposals affectingprotected sites. If a PA feels exposedin a particular case, we’re happy todiscuss the need for advice, but wemust be proportionate about thescale of proposals with which weget involved.

Q: Does SNH have sufficientresources to work on all newstrategic and local developmentplans?

RF: Yes, we’re committed to workingcollaboratively with all PAs and otherparties in this process, and to doing soat all key stages from initial thinkingabout main issues to preparingAction Plans.

Q: If SNH is using fewer ‘objections’and more advisory responses, willits responses be as clear?

RF:We will still ‘object’ where we thinkthe national interest in natural heritageis prejudiced by the scale orsignificance of any potential loss ordamage. SNH intends to publishguidance soon on assessing ‘nationalinterest’. Many such cases will occurin nationally-designated sites, but therewill also be cases in the widercountryside where we will object ifwe see significant threat to a nationalinterest. The usual rules for referral toScottish Government still apply. Incases where impacts, although severe,are more local, then we may give adviceabout impacts but determination willbe a matter for the PA.

Q: How will PAs and developersproceed when SNH doesn’t objectbut advises significant changes toproposals?

RF: It is really for them to decidewhether and how to act on our advice,although we do, of course, hope they

will. If a PA bases a refusal on ouradvice, we will consider supportingthem in a subsequent appeal or inquiry.

Q: Can SNH help build theconfidence of PA officials inexpressing views on naturalheritage interests?

RF: Yes, we have redeveloped ourwebsite guidance for planners anddevelopers – seewww.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/advice-for-planners-and-developers/;helped prepare on-line ‘tools’ like the‘biodiversity toolkit’ (coming soon); andplanned ‘Sharing Good Practice’ events.We have also embarked upon meetingswith individual PAs to discuss ourapproach to planning and how we canhelp with natural heritage training needs.

Q:Will SNH still be advising onrenewable energy proposals?

RF: Yes. Most renewable energyproposals are the subject of EIAprocesses where SNH has a statutoryrole. Our Renewable Energy ServiceLevel Statement explains this role -see www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewable-energy/our-approach-to-renewables/.We also work with most PAs in thedevelopment of spatial frameworks forwindfarms, as required by ScottishPlanning Policy, and we are preparingand updating other guidance onrenewables for planners and developers.

Richard Ferguson, Planning Project Manager for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), has been helping toco-ordinate the agency’s contributions to Delivering Planning Reform. Here, he answers some keyquestions on SNH’s approach and role.

SNH: a new approach

Wewill still ‘object’ wherewe think the national interest

in natural heritage is prejudiced bythe scale or significance of anypotential loss or damage. SNH intendsto publish guidance soon onassessing ‘national interest’.

“”

Eildon Hills in the Scottish Borders © image courtesy of Charles Strang.

http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/advice-for-planners-and-developers/

http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewable-energy/our-approach-to-renewables/.

ONE YEAR ON

09

Planning Reform: how was it for you?

One year on is the idiosyncratic world of Scottish planningdelivering an idyll of efficiency and best practice? Mostobservers would see this as too much to ask, but this author,one of the zealots for change, had carried such a hope - evenas he emerged staggering from the bombed-out remains ofthe development industry. However, a curate’s egg is myview of progress: a view shared by many housebuilders andplanning consultants, some of whom view the system now asless accountable and more process-obsessed. Oh dear – whyare some of us feeling so cynical?

First the good…The cities, particularly Glasgow and Edinburgh, have scoredwell. A willingness to stay competitive and face the harsheconomic realities has seen their planning departmentsembrace change. In Edinburgh, the Planning Concordatbetween Council and business could easily form part ofan emerging service agreement used across the country -an absolute necessity if fees increase in 2011.

In terms of new skills, the development industry now deliverspre-application consultation as the norm, and realises that notall NIMBYs are ‘insurgents’, but rather that a few mightbecome clients! Albeit there is now a tendency to over-consultto be on the safe side, the need to go back to square one toamend a condition will surely be reviewed byVictoria Quay?Processing agreements were a good idea, but such voluntaryagreements lack bite and few have embraced ‘proportionality’.

Engagement with statutory agencies has certainly improved:work shadowing and Scottish Government Open Days areto be encouraged and learning shared. This aspect of culturechange may increase with public sector cuts and a move toshared services. Real restructuring could lead to promotionof a new generation of proactive planners genuinely driven bysustainable economic growth, rather than to distraction byhouse extensions.

Then the not-so-good…Inconsistency is rife. An analysis by Homes for Scotland ofits members’ views distinguishes between those authoritiesand individual planners who actively assist high-qualitysustainable development proposals and those who continueto ‘regulate and control’. Increased housing investment willreturn if the former prevail, but will stagnate with the latter:regrettably only four authorities can presently claim toactively encourage such investment.

The new Local Development Plan process is particularlyproblematic. Despite upfront promotion outlays, thereare regulators who have already decided on preferreddevelopment sites, regardless of viability. In some cases,Reporters do not update ‘objectors’ on progress, nor justifyconclusions; a concern given the aim to make the systemmore accountable and have fair examinations.

We need acceptance of communities’ right to see housingneed met in full. Just because housebuilding is at historic lows,doesn’t mean need has disappeared, but rather that we neednew delivery mechanisms.The outdated view that developersmust fund the renewal of infrastructure prior to building homesmust now be consigned to history if we are to tackle the direhousing shortage.

As anticipated, Local Review Bodies (LRBs) are being shunnedby developers, with few cases being successful for the appellant.The perceived lack of democracy is felt too by some councillors,as their interests are ignored, and it is almost inevitable thatthe courts will be asked to review LRB independence.

And then the downright confusing…There is little or no urgency to kick-start sites. Innovation andleadership is needed now, yet we continue to detect a certainschadenfreude. Most prevalent is the continuation of thepre-credit crunch shopping list; policy changes must assist indelivering unviable sites. Government at all levels has been toopassive, and allowing local solutions to evolve is too idealistic -we can’t wait for the wheel to be reinvented 34 times.

So, one year on, no earth-shattering movement: in the main,it is too soon to tell and more of a damp squib with room forimprovement. Sorry!

Campaigner for change,Andrew Mickel – Director of Mactaggart & Mickel Homes Ltd, former Chairof Homes for Scotland, and RTPI member – surveys a somewhat mixed landscape.

An analysis by Homes for Scotland of itsmembers’ views distinguishes between those

authorities and individual planners who actively assisthigh-quality sustainable development proposals andthose who continue to ‘regulate and control’.”“

Mactaggart & Mickel and East Renfrewshire Councilpartnership-working for a ‘successful places' designagenda at Polnoon © image courtesy of Procter &Matthews Architects


www.rtpi.org.uk/rtpi_in_scotland/10

: FOCUS ON PLANNING REFORM -

We are a year in to the new system andit is an opportune time to see wherewe stand.There are, of course, someelements of the new system yet to beimplemented, such as the changes inrelation to Section 75Agreementsand planning obligations. The recentpublication of the consultation paperResourcing a HighQuality PlanningSystem shows that the changes made todate are all part of an ongoing process.

Developing planningImportant and significant changes aremade to the development plan system.As the guidance on this makes clear(see Circular 1/2009), the Governmentintends that these documents should bedifferent from their predecessors.Strategic development plans (SDPs) areto be “concise visionary documents thatset clear parameters for subsequent LDPsand inform decisions about strategic

infrastructure investment” (see Circular1/2009, para. 14); while LocalDevelopment Plans (LDPs) are to be“concisemap based documents thatfocus on their specific main proposals forthe period up to year 10 from adoption…Minor proposals and detailed policies maybe removed to supplementary guidanceespecially if there is no significant changefrom the previous plan” (para. 39).While

the new system understandably andcorrectly seeks to speed up theproduction of development plans, it ispremature to expect any of the newstyle plans to have been adoptedformally. Nonetheless, early examplesshow the potential scope of the changes.

On 14August 2009 Scottish Ministersapproved the Aberdeen City& ShireStructure Plan. While this is an ‘old style’structure plan, the format is very muchthat of a new style strategicdevelopment plan. The approval letterfrom Scottish Ministers notes that“the Plan is a positive response to theScottishMinisters’ desire for succinctDevelopment Plans and the Plan’saspirations and vision for the future of thearea are endorsed.” Following on fromthis, the Aberdeenshire Proposed LocalDevelopment Plan is presently out forpublic consultation, a process thatfinishes on 1 October 2010.Thisdocument is very much in the new style,making significant use of supplementaryguidance as contemplated by paragraph39 of Circular 1/2009. For those whohave not looked at them, bothdocuments are worth viewing as theyshow what plans are likely to look likegoing forward. It will be particularlyinteresting to see the range of responsesto the proposed LDP when theconsultation period closes.

Staying in the development plan arena,the ‘review’ process relating to emergingplans is equally very different under thenew system.Again, we have evidence ofhow the new system might operate inpractice through the examination intothe alteration to the East AyrshireLocal Plan - an old style local plan -undertaken earlier this year. There ateam of Reporters dealt with theexamination process in an admirablysuccinct time.There were only two half-

Reflections One Year OnDevelopment planning, development management, appeals and culture change,Murray Shaw, Chairman and Senior Partner at Biggart Baillie LLP, stands back andviews the range of issues raised by reform.

Twelve months on from the dawn of the new system, where are we?© image courtesy Charles Strang

Reporters will not beshy of making significantrecommendations. The factthat their recommendationsare, for all practical purposes,binding may yet prove to be alimitation on what they canor are prepared to do.Weshall need to wait and see.”

“

11

ONE YEAR ON

Development managementThe new development managementsystem was introduced at a time ofsignificantly lower economic activity,with fewer planning applications beingmade.Accordingly, it is probablyparticularly premature here to seek todraw any conclusions. It is clear,however, there are some difficulties withthe new system, and different councilsare taking different approaches toaddressing these issues; in itself not aparticularly satisfactory position. Equally,it is clear that some of the changesmade are having an adverse impact.Section 42 applications are majorapplications if the relevant tests in thehierarchy are met, and therefore requirepre-application consultation.The ScottishGovernment itself is questioning whetherthis is appropriate or necessary. Certainlysuch a consultation process may raisefalse expectations (is the principle of thedevelopment up for debate? No!), andequally may be counterproductive. Ifmembers of the public become activelyinvolved in a consultation process whichin reality is limited in scope, they may feelthe process is generally a waste of time.

AppealsThe new appeal system also becameeffective in August of last year. We

probably need to see what the ChiefReporter says in the Directorate’syearlyreport to understand how the newprocesses are operating from the pointof view of the decision-makers.Whilethere has been some criticism, using amixture of processes and procedures indetermining one appeal does seem asensible approach, where appropriate.

Possibly the most controversial areaof appeals is the use of local reviewbodies.Again, while it is early days, suchinformation as is available suggeststhat councils and applicants have hadto grapple with a number of issues,and these have not always been dealtwith on a consistent basis. By and large,however, the system appears to beoperating better than some expectedand there has been no legal challengeas yet! The majority of reviewsappear to be determined within twomonths. Many are determined withno particular further procedure, butwhere some procedure is necessarythis tends to be a site visit. Despite thegloomy predications of some, a numberof reviews have been allowed – ineffect reversing the decision of theplanning officer.

Culture changePossibly the most critical area of thechanges which was not subject tolegislative change – because it could notbe – is the somewhat elusive concept ofculture change. In many ways this is themost important area where change isrequired, and by all. Significant changeshere will probably take longer to workthrough but, again, there have beensome interesting steps. In February,Edinburgh introduced its PlanningConcordat which sets out key areas forjoint action to allow the public andprivate sectors to work more closelytogether.Aberdeenshire Council hascontinued with its system of handlingmajor applications, and here the Counciltake responsibility for getting consulteesto attend meetings where applicationscan be discussed.

So, a year in, where are we? In truth,we probably need more evidence toevaluate the new system. However,my impression is that while there aredifficulties and issues, the new system isworking better than some, including me,anticipated or expected.

day hearings held, despite the fact thatin a number of areas there were sitesactively competing for allocation, andwhere previously an old-style ‘beautyparade’-type inquiry might have takenplace. Notwithstanding the nature ofthe process, the Reporters in theirrecommendations made some significantchanges, in particular rejecting the Council’sproposed affordable housing policy as notbeing properly justified.

Clearly it is premature to draw anyconclusions, but the East Ayrshire examplesuggests that, even given the very differentprocess, Reporters will not be shy of makingsignificant recommendations. The fact thattheir recommendations are, for all practicalpurposes, binding may yet prove to be alimitation on what they can or are preparedto do. We shall need to wait and see.

© image courtesy of xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Joint action to allow the public and private sectors to work more closely together … the signing of theEdinburgh Planning Concordat: (from left to right) Ali Afshar, Chair Edinburgh Chamber of CommerceProperty Group; Robert Carr, President, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce; Cllr Jim Lowrie, CEC PlanningConvener; and John Bury, CEC Head of Planning. © image courtesy City of Edinburgh Council

AUGUST 2010 Scottishplanner : FOCUS ON PLANNING REFORM -

A lot is expected of our planningsystem. TheWhite Paper Modernisingthe Planning System (June 2005) setout the Government’s ambitionsincluding “making it easier for peopleto get involved in planning and help toshape the future of their communities”.Taken with another modernisationproposal, “to place development plansfirmly at the heart of the system toensure that development takes placein the context of a long term andinclusive vision of the future” … therecould be no doubting good intentions.

In practice, however, I have doubtsthat ambitions can be realised. Atone level, I am doubtful that sufficientattention is being paid to the rightsof the individual to justify thedescription ‘inclusive’. At another, itseems to me that the architectureof the new system is unlikely todeliver the centrality of thedevelopment plan.

Independent and inclusive?On the first point, when acting fornon-corporate clients over the lasttwo years, I have had to explain thatappeal procedures have changed,and witnessed incredulity when it isexplained that for ‘local’ applicationsthere is no longer the right of ahearing and determination by anindependent person: “you mean thatthe authority which refused permissionwill deal with my appeal?” It did notlook good at the time – and it looksno better now.

TheWhite Paper seemed to assumethat central government concern inappeals is a function of the size of thedevelopment, failing to recognise theimportance of fairness and opennessas a sine qua non in decision-making,both in the first instance and onappeal, in respect of all sizes andtypes of development.

It is not to doubt the fair-mindednessof elected members and professionalcolleagues to question anarrangement which they are nowobliged to implement. It is thearrangement itself which is inherentlyflawed. As a consultant, I cannotexplain or justify it to clients, and myrole as adviser is reduced through theabsence of the independent check onthe interpretation of developmentplan policy in individual cases.

Effective developmentplanning?Turning to development plans, I haveacted for planning authorities, privatesector clients and individuals over thelast 20 years. I believe that two-tierplanning is not fit for purpose and thatthe status accorded to plans throughs25 of the Act is not justified.

I had assumed that modernisationwould involve an assessment of theperformance of two-tier planningbetween the mid 1970s and 2000.Instead, Government took credit forthe concession that two-tier planningwould be confined to the four city-regions – and restricted to a singletier elsewhere – without, apparently,questioning the efficacy of thisarrangement in principle.

The Main Issues Report for SESplan,recently published, raises issues ofwhich we were already aware and,critically, will take a further twoyears before submission to ScottishMinisters. Meantime, localdevelopment plans are delayed until

there is a strategic development plan(SDP) to which they can conform.It is difficult to see how planningauthorities in the city-regions canprovide the leadership and vision fortheir areas while awaiting thecompletion of the SDP.

Lord Gill’s memorable phrase1,referring to the former arrangements,that “Structure Plans and Local Planssimply constrain what is a dynamicprocess within the static confines of aniron frame”, has been much quoted. Itis difficult to see, in this respect, muchdifference between previous andreformed arrangements in the fourcity-regions.

The 2005White Paper referred tothe role of planning in deliveringsustainable development andchanging the culture of planning. Thecurrent arrangements seem to me tostand in the way of achieving both.It is essential that the managementof development is carried out withina clear understanding of thestrategy/vision for an area – thisrelationship, it seems to me, is thekey to changing the culture.

1 From his lecture given on 21st anniversary

of the Scottish Planning and Environmental

Law (SPEL) journal.

Planning consultant Andrew Robinson remains scepticalof two key elements of reform.

Good intentions …

‘you mean that theauthority which refusedpermission will deal withmy appeal?’ It did not lookgood at the time – and itlooks no better now.”

“


City-regions in Scotland ... is two tier planning provingfit for purpose? © image courtesy of Crown Copyright

ONE YEAR ON

13

RTPI Network Members Join The Debate

Planning consultation is now meant to be front loaded withsubstantial consultation upfront and people given more influence inthe development of their communities. But the jury is out on howwell the system is actually working.

In Edinburgh, planning workshops have become the norm in majorredevelopments. However the process has turned out to be solengthy that we’ve now had high profile sites where the recession hasseen developers pull the plug on approved projects. Communities fearthat developers are now trying to re-negotiate with a view todropping the social, environmental and community elements ofprojects that they had lobbied for. Extensive consultation is noguarantee that final proposals are not hotly contested. Moreoverprojects can still be thrown out by the Scottish Government.

The Climate Change (Scotland)Act 2009 poses furtherchallenges. Requirements oncommunity energy and theneed to design low carboncommunities has come at atime when developers are morerisk-averse and banks are nottaking a long term view ofdevelopment.We need abigger push by the ScottishGovernment to make sure thatwhen development picks upagain we witness a sea-changeand low carbon design andplanning becoming standardpractice.

Sarah Boyack MSP, a member of the Politicians in PlanningAssociation (PIPA), raises key issues within reform relatingto consultation and climate change.

Has the planning system become more efficient, inclusiveand fit for purpose, as the Scottish Government hoped,or have the new procedures simply increased the burdenon already stretched Local Planning Authorities?

The RTPI Development Management Network and RTPIIndependent Consultants' Network are holding a jointmeeting on 1 September in Edinburgh to exploreexperiences of the reforms. The meeting will provide anopportunity to discuss the implementation of the Act inrelation to Pre-Application Consultations/Screening;Validation Requirements; Delegation/Pre-Determination

Hearings/Local Review Bodies; and Compliance. MichaelHyde of mh planning will be speaking.

Time: 2.00 - 4.30pm

Day: Wednesday 1 September

Venue: RTPI in Scotland office, 57 Melville St, Edinburgh.

Bookings:No charge but places are limited soplease book early viawww.rtpi.org.uk/ct/EVENT/1067/11/events/1067or www.rtpi.org.uk/ (follow Networks & Events, thenEvents Calendar)

Haveyour sayon…Development Management and the PlanningAct – OneYear On

Network information - to find out more about these Networks, view via www.rtpi.org.uk/events_awards_and_networking/networks_and_associations/or email: Independent Consultants’ Network on [email protected], Development Management Network on [email protected],orPoliticians in Planning Association on [email protected]

Michael Hyde of mhplanning, anda member of the Independent Consultants’Network and the Development ManagementNetwork, will be speaking at a Network’sevent in Edinburgh – see details on this page.Here he gives a flavour of his thinking…

Before establishing myself as an independentplanning consultant, I was Planning ServiceImprovement Officer at Loch Lomond and TheTrossachs National Park Authority. One of mykey responsibilities was delivering the ScottishGovernment’s Modernising Planning programme. Ibecame overly focussed on internal processes suchas ePlanning and the implementation of theprovisions of the 2006 Act, and did not have muchcontact with the outside world!

Now in my new role, and currently working ondevelopment proposals across nine planningauthority areas, I am constantly amazed by thewidely disparate ways in which the reform agendais being delivered. There are, for example, thoseauthorities that have fully embraced the newdevelopment management approach, and will goout of their way to encourage appropriate newdevelopment, working positively with developersfrom the outset to ensure that this happens … andthere are unfortunately others who have not yetmoved away from the old development controlregime, who perceive developers to be the enemy,and thereby work from a presumption that allplanning applications should be refused. Since3 August 2009 there have been a lot of newprocedures to get to grips with, but without agenuine commitment to culture change all willhave been in vain.

Sarah Boyack hosting the RTPIin Scotland 80th AnniversaryParliamentary reception – May 2010© image courtesy Charles Strang




: VIEWSAND NEWS

Scottish Government -skills and learning update

PlacementsOver the past year SG has provided anopen invitation to stakeholders toattend a two-day placement withinGovernment in order to develop abetter understanding of SG’s role inplanning and of its goals for delivery ofthe modernised system. The placementshave been so popular that despite beingscheduled once a month until the endof 2010, all planned sessions are full,with a waiting list for any future events.

Scheme of staff developmentEarly in 2010, SG began a pilot schemeof cross-sector work placements to helpdevelop knowledge and understandingof other sectors’ priorities, pressures andwork practices. SG wished to

demonstrate that such placements neednot be blocked by paperwork and issuessuch as confidentiality and conflict ofinterest. Nine participants volunteeredfor the pilot, and SG paired each with awilling host organisation. Participantsand hosts agreed the type of placementthat was most appropriate, and workedout logistics. Over the summer,participants will provide feedback ontheir placements and then SG willconsider the future of the scheme.

Good practiceSG is committed to playing an activerole in disseminating good practice.National and regional forums havebeen established to discuss issues,identify solutions and share experience

in development planning,development management andstrategic environmental assessment.Case studies are also being collatedthat will be developed into anaccessible resource on the web. Ifyou have examples of good practicethat you think will be of use toothers, please contact CarrieThomson on 0131 244 7529.

Graduate programmeThe Scottish Government has hosteda four-day programme for 30 recentgraduates, to set the context ofplanning in Scotland and to assistgraduates’ transition from educationto practice. A wide range of speakersgave insights from their personalexperiences of planning. The groupalso visited theWhiteleeWindfarm,while a masterplanning workshopdrew the programme to a close.

Further details of all these projectsare available atwww.scotland.gov.uk/planningcc

Confident, practical and motivated professionals are vital to deliveringan effective planning system. Investing in individuals to improve theirquality of work, productivity and morale will improve an organisation’sperformance. The Scottish Government (SG) is therefore providing arange of learning opportunities to support stakeholders:

Opinions on the Modernised Planning System

DeveloperAlistair Landells is a Senior Development Planner at Banks Developments Ltd.

“It is fairly clear that the new Designing Streets policy is something roads departments are simply not upto speed with yet. Many authorities have yet to take Designing Streets to their committees, let aloneadopting this new policy as advocated by the Scottish Government.”

Local AuthorityDavid Hammond is a Development Plan Officer at North Ayrshire Council.

“Initial optimism is slowly being eroded by a series of practical disappointments. Consideration will haveto be given at a national level as to whether the procedures for ‘local’ developments are actuallydelivering what they were intended to do.”

These are personal contributions, not those of the organisations the contributors work for. For the full articles visit:www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/modernising/cc/Q/editmode/on/forceupdate/on

The ScottishGovernment’s series, highlighting varied experiences as the new system settles in, continues:

15

Research by the RTPI in Scotland isnow providing insight into the earlyexperiences in the workplace of the2009 cohort of graduates from RTPI-accredited planning courses inScotland. The research, kindly fundedby the Planning Exchange Foundation,will provide an understanding of thecurrent employment situation forgraduates; their preparedness for andearly experience of employment; andtheir requirements for CPD supportand guidance.

The study was extensive and involveddesk-based study, interviews with

education and training providers, anonline survey for graduates, in-depthinterviews, a survey of public andprivate sector employers, and aseminar attended by a range ofstakeholders to discuss findings andrecommendations. Currently the fullresearch results are being collated andit is expected that the full report willbe published this autumn.

Prior to the recession, in both Scotlandand other parts of the UK, planninggraduates were in high demand. Therewas an escalating shortage of plannersleading to insufficient numbers of

planning staff to meet the increasingworkloads in some areas . The researchis in response to concerns expressed bythe RTPI-accredited planning schoolsduring 2009 on the adverse impactof the recession on employmentprospects of their planning graduates.The findings indicate that the pre-recession situation has reversed, andthere is now a shortage of graduateplanning positions. Competition withmore experienced planners is alsomaking it increasingly difficult forplanning graduates to findemployment related to their degree.

What became of the class of 2009?RTPI Researcher Joanna Stewart and RTPI in Scotland National Director Veronica Burbridge provide aprogress report on their research Supporting PlanningGraduates intoWork: theway forward in Scotland.

Key findings from the research so far …Main difficulties facing 2009 graduates were the lack of jobs and theincreased competition for jobs.

Employment status: half of the 105 graduates from accredited planningschools in Scotland in 2009 responded, of whom 42% were engaged inplanning employment, 10% were employed in a related built environmentfield and 24% were unemployed.

Working in planning? 20% of 2009 planning graduates are known to ben planning employment, and of these 25% were concerned about jobsecurity. The majority of those who were unemployed or ‘not employedin planning’ were looking for planning employment.

The value of hands-on-experience: graduates with practical experiencewere more likely to be in planning employment than those without this.However, whilst employers value placements, budgetary cutbacks aremaking it increasingly hard to provide them. Input from planningpractitioners and ‘live projects’ is seen as increasingly important in linkingtheory and practice and in preparing students for working life.

Support from public and private sectors: this was varied for both studentsand licentiates. Support for licentiates is widespread and increased awarenessof theAPC process amongst employers would be helpful.

The study identifiesfour main issues/areasfor action:• the need to maintain contact withgraduates and ensure their earlyinvolvement in the life of the Institutein Scotland.

• the need for regular surveys ofgraduate destinations and experience.

• the design and provision of goodquality work placements of differenttypes and duration across the publicand private sectors.

• the need to increase the awareness ofemployers of the APC system.

In order to tackle these issues, the researchrecommends that the Scottish PlanningEducation Forum (SPEF) establish a groupto agree an action programme, allocatingtasks amongst stakeholders.Variousspecific actions are suggested forconsideration, including developinga ‘Buddy Scheme’ linking planningstudents and practitioners, and researchon the design and delivery of placementsto support their development – with thecreation of a placements register. Newways of providing practical experiencecould also be investigated includingco-operation between employersand universities on both research and‘live projects’.

Dundee Planning Graduates 2009 © image courtesy Tracey Dixon


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www.rtpi.org.uk/rtpi_in_scotland/

News and events

: VIEWSAND NEWS

RTPI Events in Scotland

RTPI News

Same Chapter, Different AwardJohnWalls reports: Following the report inJune’s Scottishplanner on our Universityof Glasgow 2010 Student Awards, theChapter has now presented its Awards forExcellence for students of StrathclydeUniversity’s Urban Design MScProgramme - a collaboration between theUniversity and ourselves.Vice-ConvenorIain Hynd and I attended the University’sAnnual Exhibition on 11 June to viewstudents’ work and make thepresentations.

The Chapter’s panel of assessors thoughtthat all submissions were of the highestquality - a credit to the students, thetutors and the University. In particular,the urban design building code analysisapproach developed by Strathclyde’sUrban Design Course has given studentsa very useful toolkit to help developproposals. The enthusiastic teaching oftutors Sergio Porta and Ombretta Romicecannot be underestimated too.

Peter Russell from Chicago was thewinning student. The panel considered hisdesign offered an eminently deliverablesolution.We liked its overall urban formand the many ideas integrated within it,for example: the ‘market plaza’; theopening-up of the river frontage by a

sculpture park and maritime-basedattractions; the cross-river linkstrengthening economic and tourismlinks; and the pedestrian network. Thesefeatures respected the heritage of Govan,providing a strong sense of ‘place’ - abenefit to residents and an asset to theCity. Interestingly, Peter said he foundresonances between Chicago andGlasgow. I did say to him that Frank LloydWright had been influenced by Alexander‘Greek’ Thomson, so who knows?

Two architects, Darren Baird and MarkFeeley, from the Masters in AdvancedArchitectural Design received acommendation. Their joint project forGovan was a real tour de force, and theoverall analyses fascinated the panel, theblock adaptability analysis in particular.They also made an excellent model withsimple yet sophisticated lift-out sectionsto illustrate potential phasing - veryimaginative and effective.We also felt thatthe linkages to attractions and vibrantareas were excellent, the overall visionstriking and the delivery stylish and bold.

RTPI Performance Survey Could youspare five minutes for this importantsurvey? The RTPI is committed todelivering relevant benefits and servicesthat support members in their careers,and is always keen to hear feedback onpotential improvements and on what theservices mean to you.We would be verygrateful if you could complete this surveylooking at current benefits and servicesand at future development – view atwww.surveymonkey.com/s/2QXKDH9

For further information on the listings below or for the latest information on RTPInational and chapter events in Scotland, go to www.scotland.rtpi.org.uk and see‘Scottish Chapters’ and/or ‘RTPI national events in Scotland 2010.

Sept28: Working Together to Create Healthy Environments – Living Streets Scotlandwith support from RTPI Scotland

Also in October6: Planning for Housing Conference – Chartered Institute for Housing Scotland andRTPI (in Glasgow)

(Also) 15-16: Young Planners Conference: Planning for Localism – RTPI (in Cardiff)

Other News and Events

West of Scotland Chapter Convener JohnWallspresents prize to winner Peter Russell (left)

Highland Council Wins Homes forScotland Award

(l-r) Brian Frater, Head of Planning at ScottishBorders Council and Chair of Judging Panel;Richard Hartland, Head of Planning & BuildingStandards at Highland Council; and FredMacAulay © image courtesy Homes for ScotlandQuality Awards 2010

A value-added service offered by HighlandCouncil in partnership with a number of othernational agencies, including Scottish NaturalHeritage, Scottish Environment ProtectionAgency and Transport Scotland, has receivednational recognition at the Homes forScotland Awards 2010.

The Pre-Application Advice Service forMajor Developments, a cross Council serviceled by the Planning and Development Service,received an award in the KeyAgencyWorkingcategory. The Awards aim to demonstratethe further evolution of the developmentindustry’s commitment to improvementacross the board and to give the message thatthe industry is determined to embrace themany challenges which lie ahead inovercoming the difficulties of the past twoyears. Highland Council was the only ScottishLocal Authority to be short-listed this year.

The Pre-Application Advice Service helps byencouraging early and effective consultation,so avoiding some of the difficult situationsarising during application process. The Serviceoffers advice on a range of issues includingtransport arrangements, design, sustainabilityand community engagement.

Councillor Ian Ross, Chair of HighlandCouncil’s Planning Environment andDevelopment Committee, said: “We aredelighted to have received this prestigiousaward which reflects the strong andconstructive working relationship between thecouncil and its partners since the inception ofthis service in February 2009.”

See Scottishplanner April 2010 (p13) for anarticle on the service by Neil Huggan of RTPIHighlands and Islands Chapter – viawww.scotland.rtpi.org.uk (click on ‘ScottishPlanner’ in lefthand column).

Members NewsWe are sad to announce the death of thefollowing Member of the Institute inScotland: Audrey Roberts.

17

Scottish Government NewsRevised legislation: further minor amendments to the 2004 Fees Regulations, came into force on 9 August 2010 - view the Townand Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 2010(SSI 2010/280) at www.opsi.gov.uk.

New Scottish Government publications and consultations: please see Scottishplanner policy pages (p18-19) for these listings.

Volunteering in Zambia - interested?

Choma planners and the Chairman ofResidents Committee for squatter settlementChadamali Compound in discussion © imagecourtesy Peter Cockhead

VSO will be recruiting volunteer townplanners over the coming months to workwith local and provincial authorities inZambia to help build planning capacity andassist in implementing their new planninglegislation. RTPI in Scotland’s ScottishExecutive Committee member PeterCockhead, who has worked in Zambia onseveral VSO placements, advises that theirnew Planning Act will fundamentallyreshape planning in Zambia. It will extendthe planning framework to cover all ofthe country, decentralise planningresponsibilities to local authorities, andrequire the preparation of IntegratedDevelopment Plans by all planningauthorities.

This recruitment of volunteer plannersstems from a partnership agreementbetweenVSO and the Zambian governmentwhich includes a commitment to jointlyfund 12 international planning volunteerseach year for two years. The placements willbe a mix of short and long-term, and willform the centrepiece of VSO's Participationand Governance programme in Zambia.Whilst VSO has occasionally placed townplanners in different countries, the use ofspatial planning as a central element ofgood governance is a new initiative.

BecauseVSO has previously rarely offeredtown planning placements it does not havemany professional planners on its register

of volunteers, and is looking to rectify this.The Zambian placements might appeal torecently-qualified planners thinking of acareer in developing countries, to thosewishing to take a mid-career break or, likePeter, to the recently retired seeking a newchallenge.

Information onVSO volunteering andapplication procedures can be foundvia www.vsointernational.org. Anyonewishing to discuss planning andvolunteering in Zambia can contact Peteron [email protected]. Read hisarticle in Scottishplanner October 2009(p10-11) www.scotland.rtpi.org.uk (click on‘Scottish Planner’ in lefthand column).

Planning Performance StatisticsUpdated statistics on planning performancein Scotland were released by Scotland'sChief Statistician on 13 August. The mainfindings are: the number of planningapplications decided by Scotland's planningauthorities decreased from 47,220 in2008/09 to 40,368 in 2009/10, a decreaseof 14.5%. During the same period, therewas a decrease of 7% in the number ofapplications received; the percentage oflocal applications decided within twomonths increased from 62.2% in 2008/09to 63.4% in 2009/10; the percentage ofmajor applications decided in under fourmonths declined from 38.7% in 2008/09 to37.0% in 2009/10; and approval rates of allapplications increased from 92% to 93%.

For their latest news, including theirnew Friends scheme, viewwww.planningaidscotland.org.uk/news.asp

Windfarm visit and planning seminar on9 September. RenewableUK, formerlyBWEA, is again organising tours ofwindfarms across the UK, with the supportof the RTPI. This year in Scotland the visitand seminar will be to Pates HillWindfarm,near Edinburgh. The session and tour willstart at 10.30am and finish at 4pm; forfurther information and booking viewwww.bwea.com/planningconferences/2010/scotland.html

Scottish Planning and EnvironmentalLaw (SPEL) Conference 2010Infrastructure Investment andDeliveryon 16 September; for further information

and booking view http://iis.idoxgroup.com/events.cfm or [email protected]

A Compulsory Purchase Good PracticeProgramme seminar will be held inEdinburgh on 6 October 2010. TheSociety of Local Authority Lawyers andAdministrators in Scotland, the Associationof Chief Estates Surveyors in the publicsector and the Royal Institution of CharteredSurveyors have agreed to co-host theseminar with Scottish Government. ProfessorJeremy Rowan-Robinson has agreed to chairthe event – full details to follow.

Infrastructure and capital investment:innovative ways to fund capital projects.This conference, organised by MackayHannah, is to be held onWednesday3 November 2010 in Edinburgh. JohnSwinney, Cabinet Secretary for Financeand Sustainable Growth, will providethe keynote address. More informationvia: www.mackayhannah.com/home/(see ‘Conferences’ in lefthand column).

Scottish SEA Review. The ScottishGovernment, SEPA, SNH and HistoricScotland launched this Review at June’s SEANational Forum. It will look at the extent towhich SEA has influenced environmentaloutcomes within Scottish plan preparationand identify opportunities to improve theprocess. The review team is seeking toengage with those with experience of SEA,either as a practitioner or stakeholder. Thosewishing to contribute are invited to attendworkshops and/or respond to a surveyduring late September and October -further information will be available atwww.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/SustainableDevelopment/14587

http://www.vsointernational.org

http://www.bwea.com/planningconferences/2010/scotland.html


http://www.mackayhannah.com/home/

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/SustainableDevelopment/14587



Policy briefing

�

PUBLICATIONS

CONSULTATIONS

[Publication] Factual briefing paper onidentifying fragile rural areas in Scotland.Produced to support the development of‘Speak up for Rural Scotland'. (02/08/10)

� Socio-Economic Briefing on RuralScotland: Summary [Publication]Factual briefing paper summarising fourrelated socio-economic briefing papersproduced to support the development ofSpeak up for Rural Scotland'. (02/08/10)

� National Planning Framework 2 Post-Adoption Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment (SEA) Statement [Publication]Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)Post-Adoption Statement, prepared inaccordance with Section 18 of theEnvironmental Assessment (Scotland) Act2005. (30/07/10)

� Scottish Planning Policy Post-AdoptionStrategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)Statement [Publication] StrategicEnvironmental Assessment (SEA) Statementprepared in accordance with Section 18 of theEnvironmental Assessment (Scotland) Act2005. (30/07/10)

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENTPUBLICATIONSThe Government has published a numberof documents relevant to planningmodernisation. These include outputs fromthe June Development Planning Forum andDevelopment Management Forums on pre-application consultation; a progress reporton the National Planning Framework ActionProgramme prepared for the Parliament’sLocal Government & CommunitiesCommittee; and revised planning adviceon Affordable Housing and Housing LandAudits (PAN 3/2010). These documentsare available at www.scotland.gov.uk.

Affordable Housing and Housing Land Audits(PAN 3/2010). (09/08/10)

Town and Country Planning (Fees forApplications and Deemed Applications)(Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Regulations2010 (SSI 2010/280) (09/08/10)

� Renewables Action Plan: Update 2[Publication] (04/08/10)

� Rural Community Empowerment in the21st Century: Building a 'Can-Do' Culture[Publication] Report from a seminar on ruralcommunity empowerment. Produced tosupport the development of ‘Speak up forRural Scotland'. (02/08/10)

� Socio-Economic Briefing on RuralScotland: Access to Services [Publication]Factual briefing paper on access to servicesin rural Scotland produced to support thedevelopment of ‘Speak up for RuralScotland'. (02/08/10)

� Socio-Economic Briefing on RuralScotland: Demography [Publication]Factual briefing paper on demography ofrural Scotland produced to support thedevelopment of 'Speak up for RuralScotland'. (02/08/10)

� Socio-Economic Briefing on RuralScotland: Economy [Publication] Factualbriefing paper on economy of rural Scotlandproduced to support the development of‘Speak up for Rural Scotland'. (02/08/10)

� Socio-Economic Briefing on RuralScotland: Identifying Fragile Rural Areas

Current consultations to which theInstitutemaywish to respond arelisted below.They can also be viewed onthe Scottish Government website atwww.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current.

To assist the Institute in preparingrepresentative responses,Membersare invited to contribute their viewsby post or email - see contact details onp2 - ideally no less than 14 days prior tothe end of the consultation period.TheInstitute’s Scottish responses can be foundatwww.rtpi.org.uk/item/760/23/5/3.

CONSULTATIONS FROMTHESCOTTISH GOVERNMENTAND OTHER PUBLIC BODIES

Scottish Government

� Consultation on Directive 2009/33/EC of the European Parliament on thepromotion of clean and energy-efficientroad transport vehiclesThis consultation seeks views on thetransposition of this Directive. It aims tostimulate the market for clean and energy-effifcient vehicles through publicprocurement. (27/09/10)

� Wider Planning for an AgeingPopulation - Housing & CommunitiesThe report looks at issues facing olderpeople's housing and proposes a numberof actions to deliver desired outcomes.(29/09/10)

� Northern Isles Ferry ServicesThis is a public consulation in advance ofthe tendering of the 2012-18 contract forthese services, and is supported by a seriesof local consultation events in the Islands.(30/09/10)

� Scottish Ferries ReviewThe Scottish Ferries Review is intended toinform the Scottish Government’s longterm strategy for lifeline ferry services inScotland and influence the next round ofprocurement of ferry services andsupporting infrastructure. (30/09/10)

� Scottish Ferries Review: StrategicEnvironmental AssessmentCovers the Scottish Ferries Review andpreparation of the draft Ferries Plan. Asecond, more detailed assessment will beundertaken of the potential environmentaleffects of the routes and levels of serviceproposed in the draft Ferries Plan, as well asany proposals for new and/or amendedinfrastructure. (30/09/10)

� Permitted Development Rights forMicrogeneration Equipment on Non-Domestic Properties ConsultationSection 71 of the Climate Change(Scotland) Act requires the ScottishGovernment to provide permitteddevelopment rights for the installation,alteration or replacement ofmicrogeneration equipment within thecurtilage of a non-domestic building. Thisconsultation sets out the Government’sproposals for amending the General

Permitted Development (Scotland) Order1992 to fulfil the requirements of the ClimateChange (Scotland) Act. The Government isrequired to bring forward the permitteddevelopment rights as regulations by 1 April2011. (08/10/10)

� Resourcing a high quality planningsystemThe purpose of this consultation is to seekviews on how the planning service could bemore effectively resourced and focused onquality of service. This included seeking viewson options for amending the fee structure.(15/10/10)

� Speak Up For Rural ScotlandConsults on advice received from the RuralDevelopment Council on the ways in whichRural Scotland can best contribute toScotland's sustainable economic growth.(25/10/10)

� Steering the Implementation of Solutionsfor Aviation’s Objections to Wind Farms inSouth West ScotlandConsultation on potential changes to nationalplanning advice addressing issues surroundingaviation’s objections to wind farmdevelopments in south-west Scotland. Itexplores the idea of developing advice toplanning authorities on the use of suspensiveconditions covering aviation objections andexpresses a position which Air NavigationService Providers (ANSP’s) can refer to indeciding where to apply the limitedmitigation they are able to provide tosafeguard aviation. (26/10/10)

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/08/02141416

















http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Business-Industry/Energy/Infrastructure/Energy-Consents/Whatsnew/Consultation-aviation/document

� Independent Budget Review: the report ofScotland's Independent Budget Review Panel- July 2010 [Report]. (29/07/10)Disposal of Land by Local Authorities (Scotland)Regulations: General Guidance [Guidance]Disposal of land by Local Authorities - Non-Statutory Guidance. (28/07/10)

� Disposal of Land by Local Authorities(Scotland) Regulations: General Guidance[Guidance] Disposal of land by Local Authorities -Non-Statutory Guidance. (28/07/10)

� The Impact of Population Ageing onHousing in Scotland [Research Publications]Looks at issues relating to housing stock,support services, adaptations and furtherrelated questions. (26/07/10)

� Land Use Strategy: Analysis of WorkshopDiscussions [Report] (23/07/10)

� Environmental Report: PermittedDevelopment Rights for MicrogenerationEquipment on Non-Domestic PropertiesConsultation [Publication]Report setting out the potential significantenvironmental effects that may arise as a result

of the proposed permitted development rightsfor microrenewable equipment on non-domestic properties. (15/07/10)

� Household Formation in Scotland:Whatdoes it mean for housing policy? [ResearchPublications]This paper draws together existingdata on household formation change and alsochanges that are expected in the future inScotland using General Registrar for Scotland(GROS) data. (15/07/10)

� Housing: Fresh Thinking, New Ideas -Summary [Publication] (05/07/10)

� Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2010:Sustainable Places and Greenspace - ResearchFindings A summary based on data from the2009 Scottish Social Attitudes survey whichenhances the evidence base on the SustainablePlaces national outcome and the links betweenthe environment and wellbeing. (01/07/10)

� Climate Change in Scotland Annual Report2009-10 [Report] Annual report of ScottishGovernment measures related to climatechange mitigation and adaptation. (30/06/10)

� Cycling Action Plan for Scotland[Publication] (25/06/10)

� SEARS: Customer Perspectives andExperiences 2010 Research Findings No.12/2010 [Research Findings] Exploring landmanagers' experiences of Scotland'sEnvironmental and Rural Services (SEARS), howthese have changed since the last researchproject, and areas for further development.(25/06/10)

� The Honey Bee Health Strategy[Publication] To achieve a sustainable andhealthy population of honey bees forpollination and honey production in Scotland.(25/06/10)

� Energy from Waste Potential in ScotlandA report into the potential for energy fromwaste in Scotland. (18/06/10)

� The Economic Impact of Wildlife Tourism inScotland Research Findings No. 1/2010Current assessment of the economic impact ofwildlife tourism in Scotland and an insight intothe key trends. (16/06/10)

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTPUBLICATIONSSPICe Briefings

� SB 10-44 Economic Indicators This briefingprovides a selection of indicators on aspects ofthe Scottish economy. (29/07/10)

� SB 10-42 Property Factors (Scotland) BillThis briefing describes the property servicesmarket, including the land maintenance market,in Scotland and considers existing legislativeprovisions and remedies for resolving disputeswith property factors. This briefing alsoexamines how other jurisdictions (the Republicof Ireland and New Zealand) have attempted toaddress this issue. (29/06/10)

� SB 10-39 The Wildlife and NaturalEnvironment (Scotland) Bill This briefingcontains background information and adescription of the main provisions in theWildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland)Bill on: game law; snares; non-native species;species licensing; deer; badgers; muirburn; andSites of Special Scientific Interest. The proposalsset out in a Government consultation publishedin June 2009 are discussed, followed by adescription of the main proposals in the Bill.(18/06/10)

19

Details of Scottish Government publications andconsultations are reproduced courtesy of CrownCopyright.

CLIMATE CHANGE CORNERIf space permits, each set of policy pagesfrom the Scottish Planner will have a smallcorner devoted to Climate Change matters,giving additional emphasis to thoseconsultations and publications addressingissues of Climate Change mitigation andadaptation, and sharing both problems andsolutions.What key references and sources doyou use? Tell us about them so we can sharethem with other practising planners!

� Climate Change Compendium (RTPI) TheRTPI’s seven commitments on climate changepromotes the vital role that planning mustplay in adapting to and mitigating againstclimate change. Browse through theaccompanying pages and share your ownexamples of best practice, questions and(missing?) links with [email protected] aswell as with us at [email protected].

� Sustainable Energy in the BuiltEnvironment: Best Practice for ScottishPlanners Produced by the Energy Saving Trustwith the support of the RTPI in Scotland, thepack aims to provide inspiration through casestudies, and signposts users to usefulresources to help planners to develop policiesand make decisions that promote sustainableenergy use and production at a domesticlevel. (21/04/10)

� Climate Change in Scotland AnnualReport 2009-10 [Report]Annual report of Scottish Governmentmeasures related to climate changemitigation and adaptation. (30/06/10)

� Social Housing Allocations - A PracticeGuideA consultation on a guide for landlordsallocating social housing. (29/10/10)

� Consultation on the marine licensingregime under the Marine (Scotland) Actand the UK Marine and Coastal Access ActThis consultation seeks views on the newmarine licensing regime which will becreated through secondary legislation orexisting provisions within the Acts.(01/11/10)

� Extension of Coverage of Freedom ofInformation (Scotland) Act 2002The consultation seeks views on whetherFOI legislation should be extended to coverorganisations such as contractors who buildand/or maintain schools and hospitals;contractors who run privately managedprisons; contractors who build, manage andmaintain trunk roads under private financecontracts; trusts created by local authoritiesfor the provision of certain facilities such asfor leisure and culture; Glasgow HousingAssociation and the Association of ChiefPolice Officers in Scotland. (02/11/10)

European Commission

� Public consultation on the Review ofthe Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA) DirectiveDirective 85/337/EEC on the assessment ofthe effects of certain public and privateprojects on the environment, as amended;or view via http://scotland.gov.uk/PP(select ‘Environmental Assessment’).

© Image courtesy of Joanna Stewart















http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/briefings-10/SB10-44.pdf





http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/eia.htm

http://www.rtpi.org.uk/item/2993&ap=1

http://www.rtpi.org.uk/item/2624/23/5/3


http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Global-Data/Publications/Sustainable-Energy-in-the-Built-Environment-Best-Practice-for-Scottish-Planners

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