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PLANNING ADVICE NOTE: PAN 73: RURAL DIVERSIFICATION
Giving Sound and Helpful Advice
20. It is important that planners are able to give clear advice on the planning process and planning issues relating to a proposal. This advice will normally be informed by published guidance, whether in the form of the development plan or the Council's own supplementary planning advice. Professional support and sound advice from the outset, especially at the pre-application stage, can save considerable amounts of time and is likely to improve the prospects of any fledgling business. Embarking on a new enterprise can be daunting and helpful, sensitive, informed advice will usually be welcomed.
Getting business advice at Ettrick Riverside
21. Some applicants have considerable experience, or have already received a wealth of advice, and as a consequence approach planning with clear and informed proposals. However, some new businesses are unaware of the wide range of support that is available to them and may not have fully considered every aspect of their new enterprise. Planners often encounter similar proposals that share the same difficulties and should therefore be able to identify premature or poorly thought out proposals and advise accordingly. Frequent communication with agencies, community groups, and other organisations also means planners are well placed to act as a signpost to other sources of advice, schemes and funding. It should be borne in mind that financial assistance often rests on securing planning permission first.
22. In summary, planners should:
- be able to give advice on planning issues relating to rural diversification;
- produce planning guidance and information appropriate to their local area;
- establish when businesses require additional advice
- be aware of other available sources of advice; and
- keep abreast of initiatives and programmes in their area.
23. There are many sources of advice relevant to rural diversification available to both planner and applicant. Details of useful contacts and references can be found at the end of this PAN.
Case Study 3: Planning for Healthier Rural Economies - bringing together planners and economic development professions
The Countryside Agency has been involved in a range of activities to help increase and extend understanding between planners, economic development professionals and advisors to small businesses. In partnership with Planning Aid, the voluntary part of the Royal Town Planning Institute, two seminars were held and representatives of small rural enterprises, business advisors, planners and local economic development officers were all involved in presentations and workshops to explore the planning-related needs of non-agricultural rural enterprises and their business development requirements.
The seminars have informed the contents of a loose-leaf resource pack that will provide guidance and advice for those assisting rural businesses and economies. Feedback from these events has confirmed that the process itself has been valuable in breaking down barriers between planners, economic development officers and business advisors, through bringing them together, engendering a greater understanding of needs and constraints of rural economies and a realisation of how sustainable growth can be achieved.
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