Planning and Environmental Appeals Director
Lindsey Nicoll
The Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA), headed by Lindsey Nicoll, is responsible for dealing with planning appeals submitted to Scottish Ministers against planning decisions made by local planning authorities, strategic and local development plan examinations, objections to orders promoted for the provision of transport and other infrastructure and other casework mainly concerning the control of pollution and environmental protection.
Cases are determined following an examination of the evidence submitted. This may be a review of the written submissions, through a public local inquiry, a more informal hearing, or a combination of these methods. In most instances the method of determining the case is decided by a Reporter from DPEA who will also make the final decision based on the evidence presented to them. In some instances Scottish Ministers will make the final decision following submission of a report containing recommendations from the Reporter.
Our Goal
The work undertaken by DPEA supports the central Purpose of the Scottish Government of creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. We strive to ensure all of our work is subject to the basic principles of fairness, openness and impartiality.
Our Objectives
- To strive to carry out every part of our business better, faster and more efficiently.
- Ensure that resources we have are used to best effect, and in a proportionate way.
- Make sound decisions and recommendations that reflect the Purpose of the Scottish Government, taking account of Scottish Planning Policy, the Government Economic Strategy and the planning objectives of promoting and facilitating development, while protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment
- Review and redesign all our business processes to align with the Planning Act 2006 and associated secondary legislation.
- To deliver accountable, sound and transparent management of budgets and resources.