This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Plugging into the planning system
24/08/2006
People across Scotland will be able to plug into the planning system with the click of a mouse thanks to £12 million Executive funding announced today.
The investment will be made over the next two years to deliver efficiency savings in the planning process. It will allow the public instant online and round the clock access to:
- the development plans shaping their areas
- websites for submitting planning applications and monitoring their progress through the system
- clear and simple guides around the whole planning process - answering the most common questions
Deputy Communities Minister Johann Lamont said:
"Online access means that planning will no longer be off limits - as some people believe it is now.
"Some local authorities in Scotland are already pioneering this approach. In most cases planning has attracted far more hits than other services on their sites. It is clearly popular with the public, developers and professional planners.
"We are now undertaking the most radical overhaul of our planning system in 60 years. We need to sweep away the old culture of out of date plans and a system clogged by bureaucratic red tape.
"All of this is changing and it will change a lot faster as a result of today's announcement.
"It is a huge boost in making the system more efficient and responsive. That is essential if we are to create a smart, successful Scotland with a growing economy which benefits all.
"At the same time it will also enable communities to get involved from the outset in the plans that shape their areas. They can also contribute to and track individual applications affecting them.
"This innovative approach to planning will provide taxpayers with a more efficient and effective public service. Transforming public services is essential if we are to meet the needs of users today and in the future.
"Scotland's people expect and deserve the best in public services. There is a great thirst in the public sector to do all we can to provide world-class public services that will help support growth in the economy. I believe this innovative approach to planning is a clear example of that."
The bulk of the funding is provided through £9.1 million approved by Finance Minister Tom McCabe as part of the Executive's Efficient Government Fund. An additional £3 million of funding is coming from the members of the partnership including all local authorities, the two National Park Authorities, Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit and a number of statutory consultees including Scottish Natural Heritage, Historic Scotland, Scottish Water and Transport Scotland
Efficient Government aims to contribute towards a programme of initiatives designed to support a sustainably more efficient public sector in Scotland which also delivers excellent public services.
Ms Lamont was speaking during a visit in Edinburgh to meet young planners and see the system where the public have free access to computers and the Council's online planning system.
Edinburgh City Council came top in a recent survey of online planning information provided by Scottish local authorities. Each month more than 23,000 people visit the council's planning website. Today's announcement will mean other local authorities will have the resources to provide the same level of online service.
The Executive's Planning Division has been working actively with planning authorities on e-planning since 2001. An e-planning compact detailing objectives for delivering e-planning services in the short, medium and long term was agreed and endorsed by Ministers in 2003. In 2004, the legal barriers to e-planning were removed and advice on e-planning service delivery was issued.