Planning Bill: What's Happening Now?

What’s happening now with the Scottish Planning Bill?  After its very successful progression through Parliament, the Scottish Executive is working to bring forward secondary legislation that will allow the Bill to become a working reality by 2008.

The key dates to know about are:

March/April 2007

  • Public consultation will get underway on the scope and content of the new National Planning Framework.
  • A publication called ‘Unlocking Planning’s Potential’ will aim to kick-start a change in planning’s culture, attitudes and working habits to create a more efficient, inclusive and sustainable system.
  • Measures will be implemented to create Business Improvement Districts. BIDs will mean businesses can vote to pay extra rates, in turn funding improvements to their own areas.  Localised BIDs will be enforced if more than 50% of businesses in a defined area vote in favour.

Summer/Autumn 2007

  • A consultation will begin on the new system for development plans and subsequent transition arrangements (for working between the old and new systems).
  • A consultation is due to start on the new ‘hierarchy’ of development (minor, local, major and national developments) and schemes of delegation which will see local authorities decide what type of application will be decided at what level.
  • Draft new Inquiry rules will be consulted on and published.
  • There will be a programme of consultation on the new enforcement regime to counteract breaches of planning regulations.

Spring/Summer 2008

  • A consultation will begin on planning legislation and mezzanine floors to prevent retailers exploiting loopholes in the current system and ensure that additional retail floorspace created on mezzanine floors goes through the planning system.
  • Changes could be implemented following summer/autumn consultation on development plans and transition agreements.
  • New regulations on Inquiry rules could follow the summer/autumn consultation.

A greater challenge may lie ahead in changing behaviour and attitudes among planners and generally towards planning in terms of the general public and media.  Improved resources for local authorities will help to achieve the Executive’s heightened expectations of planning professionals across the industry.  Incentives to encourage planners to join local authorities, and managerial training, may be necessary to achieve this culture change.

For more information contact fiona.clandillon@ryden.co.uk

 

 

 

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