This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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First consultative group on planning
23/02/2004
The first in a series of events that aim to widen
people's involvement in the planning system took place in
Glasgow today.
This marks the beginning of the National Consultative
Group in Planning which wants to encourage people across
civic Scotland to take an interest in the planning
system.
Representatives from community, voluntary and
environmental groups, local authorities and the business
sector have been invited to attend to share ideas, concerns
and examples of good planning practice.
Welcoming people to the event, Communities Minister,
Margaret Curran said:
"We are committed to establishing open and accountable
institutions and to building safe strong communities. In
March 2003, we published Your Place, Your Plan, a white
paper that sets out our proposals for strengthening and
enhancing public involvement in the planning system. Our
aim is to make planning much more inclusive, responsive,
accountable and straightforward.
"The purpose of planning is to ensure that developments
and changes in land use occur in suitable locations and to
safeguard communities against inappropriate developments.
The theory of this is fine but in practice it
can be a very difficult balance to achieve. For the
system to work
effectively, it requires partnership working, genuine
community involvement and good dialogue with
developers.
"We know that people are keen to get involved in
planning but sometimes the system can be intimidating.
Today's group marks the beginning of a process which I hope
will enable people to put forward their views, share
examples of good practice and feel satisfied that their
participation has been worthwhile. I am also looking for
this group to act as a forum for the discussion of topical
issues and the sharing of examples of good practice
nationally."
Today's meeting was organised for the Executive by the
Scottish Civic Forum.
Debbie Wilkie from the Scottish Civic Forum said:
"We all have an interest in the built environment in
which we live and work but many people do not realise how
important it is to get involved early on - when structure
plans are being prepared. I hope this new process will
enable wider understanding of the planning system and
stimulate greater participation in it."
Alice McGlone, Convenor of the Royal Town Planning
Institute said:
"We fully support this new initiative. Planning should
be an inclusive process but it should also be about
developing a shared vision for Scotland. This will provide
a much needed spotlight on the positive contribution that
planning should make."
Better public involvement in the land-use planning
system is a key policy priority for the Executive. Last
year, the Executive published Your Place, Your Plan which
set out a number of measures to enable people to get
involved in planning issues. Amongst these measures was
the establishment of the National Consultative Group on
Planning.
Similar events will be set up during 2004 outwith the
central belt.