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SECTION 5.1: FIT FOR PURPOSE
Development Industry
Homes for Scotland: Homes for Scotland welcomes in particular the statement in the Foreword - " The Executive's top priority is promoting sustainable economic development to create a modern and vibrant Scotland" and the acknowledgement in the second sentence that " a modern, up to date planning system is critical to achieving that objective". We are, however, concerned that in taking forward the key elements of the White Paper into the Planning Bill, these statements, which are important in setting out the purpose of planning, could be lost and their importance undermined. We strongly believe therefore that the Planning Bill should set out a statutory purpose for planning that reflects fully the emboldened introduction in the Foreword. Furthermore, we note and fully support the recommendation in the recently published planning research commissioned by the Scottish Executive into "Business Development and the Planning System" (Tribal HCH August 2005) - " The Planning Act should explicitly recognise the role which the planning system plays in the economic life of the country, and should make explicit that the views of statutory consultees and other third parties such as local residents should be set against the needs of the economy……(para 6.17)." We accept that planning will at times involve difficult decisions and a win/win situation will not always be achievable. If economic development, including new housing, is to be given top priority, (the Executive's housing policy " Homes for Scotland's People" acknowledges the role of housing as a contributor to economic growth), then less weight may in some circumstances need to be given to other factors, as acknowledged in the Tribal research. This important matter should be made explicit in the Planning Bill, as the research recommends.
Manor Kingdom Group: The Foreword by the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister is a welcome acknowledgement of the importance of economic development and its contribution to sustainable growth in Scotland. The Foreword is particularly important in setting the context for the subsequent improvements to the planning system proposed later in the White Paper. We accept that planning will at times involve difficult decisions which will not always be favourable with developers. However, if economic development is to be achieved, including tackling the issue of new housing, then less weight may in some circumstances need to be given to other factors, as acknowledged in the Tribal research. This important matter should be made explicit in the Planning Bill, as the research recommends.
Walker Group (Scotland) Ltd: The principles and changes outlined in the Paper do not in themselves remove any of the difficulties which we perceive and experience within the operation and implementation of the current system. Delays in responding to letters and emails, the difficulty in accessing case officers because phones are switched to voice mail for significant parts of the day, a general unwillingness to implement and operate the application process in a positive manner or seek solutions. The recent findings of 'Business Development and the Planning System' (Tribal HCH) states that "performance in dealing with major applications has deteriorated substantially". None of these difficulties, which are currently experienced by the Housebuilding Industry, are likely to be resolved by the measures set out in 5.1 Making the Planning System Fit for Purpose.
Community Councils
Tillicoultry Community Council: There is no doubt that the planning system requires modernisation but it is essential that the new system have some flexibility built in to accommodate local circumstances. In other words modernisation cannot be "one hat fits all" legislation. The term "Public Interest" is used in the narrative and is not defined in any way. This is probably because it is indefinable and means all things to all people. This is where flexibility is essential when a general scheme is accepted as in the public interest but if implemented in a given location, it could destroy a way of life enjoyed by the local people.
Voluntary Organisations
Greenspace Scotland: We welcome the emphasis on securing better outcomes from the planning process and the importance placed on the role of guidance in encouraging developments which enhance the quality of places. We note, in particular, the comment about the importance of well connected public spaces because this is central to our work and would highlight a study that we will commission later this year looking at greenspace design in residential areas; this will, we hope, provide a useful companion to Designing Places and other Executive publications.
Scottish Civic Trust (and Civic Trust Network): We are very disappointed with the lack of considered discussion to the issue of high quality in development. As Sam Galbraith, the former Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport said, planning is judged by what is built in the ground. An efficient, speedy system that delivers mediocre quality is not fit for purpose. We appreciate it is impossible to legislate for quality; however, the White Paper fails to advance the design quality agenda in any meaningful way. In this regard, we do not believe that the paper lives up the statement made in the Partnership Agreement that we will enhance the urban landscape, particularly by introducing a more effective system for improving conservation and design.
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