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Listen
02:
Minister for Communities'
Introduction
As Minister for
Communities I know that there is an urgent need to
undertake a thorough modernisation of the planning system.
This White Paper outlines a substantial package of measures
to help us to plan for Scotland's needs, enabling local
Councils to plan for local needs and the improvements that
local people wish to see.
My conversations with community groups, environmental
organisations, business groups and local authority
representatives have left me in no doubt of the importance
of taking this once in a lifetime opportunity to implement
a major package of modernisation of the planning
system.
This White Paper provides
new opportunities for local people to engage in
the planning process, planning for the needs of their
community and determining the location of new facilities
such as schools and hospitals. It ensures that the planning
system is based on development that is sustainable and
meets the needs of modern Scotland.
I know that the planning system, when it works well, is
the means to ensure that economic growth benefits all of
our communities, resulting in neighbourhoods that are
regenerated and improved access to services and jobs. We
certainly need a system that is fairer and more balanced
between different interests than has been the case so far.
I am determined to ensure that local people are involved
properly in plans and decisions that will determine how
their areas evolve and how their environment will change.
Local people must be properly listened to in a system that
considers all issues carefully without giving too much
weight to any one interest. Our modernisation will rebuild
confidence in a fair, transparent and more equitable
planning system.
I want to secure a planning system that has the
following purposes at its heart:
- enables the planning, promotion and management of
development to secure good places to live;
- is fast, inclusive and transparent; building trust
between communities and developers;
- takes a long-term strategic overview seeking to
secure sustainable development as well as control local
detail; and
- serves a national purpose, as well as helping local
communities to shape their own future at a local
level.
We want sustainable development and investment in
Scotland to increase. We want development plans to be up to
date and have taken account of the views of local people.
We also want to encourage good design and create attractive
buildings and communities where people want to live, work
and visit.
To rebuild confidence in the system we will require
planning authorities to give higher priority to
enforcement. Apart from anything else, this means planning
authorities must make better use of their existing powers,
especially to enforce conditions attached to planning
permissions.
In driving forward this agenda, I will continue to work
closely with our partners in local government. This set of
proposals gives powers back to planning authorities and
gives them the freedom to organise the delivery of a better
local service with local decisions and local
accountability.
I want a plan-led system that is open and accountable. A
fairer system. A sustainable system. A more inclusive
system. This White Paper and the forthcoming Planning Bill
will deliver these objectives.
Malcolm Chisholm,
MSP
Minister for Communities
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