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Introduction of Standard Application Forms
Local Authorities
Aberdeen City Council: It is important to ensure that a single form contains all of the information required for monitoring and to inform the preparation of development plans for all local authorities.
Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar: Standard application forms should be introduced only when all planning application or notification requirements have been covered. It would also be helpful if a degree of local discretion could be allowed over attachment of supplementary information, such as who to contact over pollution control issues that may affect installation of septic tanks. The portfolio of suggested forms should be made subject to consultation before they are introduced.
Dundee City Council: Whilst supporting this measure as an aid to making the planning application process more user friendly, the Council would wish to see introduced an element of local flexibility as circumstances will vary from authority to authority. The commitment the reissuing of PAN 48 and to further consultation on this issue is welcomed. In addition it is recommended that the Procedure Order be comprehensively updated to include clear and unambiguous statements concerning the validity of applications.
East Dunbartonshire Council: Whilst this is to some extent welcomed it is of concern that standardisation will constrain the opportunities to improve practice.
Fife Council: The introduction of standard application forms across Scotland is welcomed as a measure of consistency and simplicity and it will obviously be a cost-effective measure as far as individual applicants and consultants are concerned (as they will not require to keep stock of 32 different types of planning application forms).Standard Application Forms are a necessary building block towards e-planning.
Glasgow City Council: The proposal could encourage a more consistent approach to the preparation of development applications across Scotland and be less confusing to applicants. The forms need to be written in plain English and provided for each of the application types, accompanied by national guidance notes and information about fee structures. Clarification is required from the SE about how and when this proposal will proceed, who will be involved in the design of the forms, etc. Consideration should be given to any local information that may be desirable for individual authorities to include in accompanying forms. Forms should be made available in the SE's website for ease of access. The SE website could also usefully link to individual council websites. May result in a reduction of Council printing costs due to accessibility of forms on website.
Moray Council: Support in principle. This should be extended to provide specific applications forms for minor and major types of applications. The provision should also extend to other consent procedures for advertisements, LBCs, etc.
Non Departmental Public Bodies
Historic Environment Council for Scotland: Even though pre-application discussions for some applications may become the norm, with obligations upon developers to consult widely before an application is lodged, there will be less of an incentive for an application to be rejected as being incompetent, or incomplete. It is currently the case that too many applications struggle through the system with documentation that has been poorly prepared. Accordingly HEACS recommends that clear guidance prepared by SEDD Planning Division, with the assistance of Historic Scotland should be issued as to what constitutes a competent application for the scale of the development, and the route that it may be expected to follow within what is being introduced now as a four-tier system of developments
Scottish Natural Heritage: The introduction of standard application forms could provide a helpful prompt to request certain types of information relating to the natural heritage, such as landscaping proposals and site survey data (including European Protected Species such as bats). Our experience suggests that many applications are currently deficient in this respect, resulting in increased workloads for both planners and SNH staff.
Other Businesses
Crown Castle UKLTD: We fully support this as we own assets in every local authority area and obtaining and filling different forms that ask the same question is a waste of time. We would also like to advocate further guidance in the level of 'standard' information requested by LPAs as this varies quite significantly from authority to authority.
Mobile Operators Association ( MOA): The MOA supports the Executive's plans to introduce standard application forms. Making the planning application process faster will be of benefit to developers. Increasing the range of formats to ensure accessibility will also help to improve public understanding of the planning process. We would also support the introduction of standard application forms, if it assists in the electronic delivery of the planning service.
Scottish Environmental Services Association ( SESA):SESA sees merit in a standard waste management application form providing that it requests only basic information as otherwise the potential resource savings would be lost. Details on the operation of the development can be included in the Environmental Statement and supporting statement.
Scottish Power: We would recommend that procedures be put in place to ensure the registration of full and proper applications as part of the Development Management process. This would ensure that resources were allocated to deserving projects. This would appear to be the section of the Planning System 'missing' from the consultation. The quality of the submission to the consenting authority ( CA) should be validated as a full and proper application as part of the registration process using Good Practice Guidelines?
Planning Consultants, Architects and Lawyers
Ledingham Chalmers: Greater use of technology and the introduction of standard application forms will make the circulation of, and access to, documentation easier.
MBM Planning & Development: Most planning authorities now tend to use standard application forms but a more user friendly format (one single page e.g. Fife Council) would be welcomed.
Turley Associates: The introduction of simplified standard application forms is supported.
Community Councils
Broughton & Pilrig Community Council: Applications that are subject to alteration and amendment should be re-advertised and outcomes notified to objectors.
Broughty Ferry Community Council: A long overdue improvement.
Currie Community Council: We agree that there are benefits in standardising planning application forms. We would also suggest that there could be some simplification if for example the " FIO" form required under the HSE's CDM Regulations had relevant information incorporated. Page 33 makes reference to something similar in relation to Listed Building consents ("Historic Scotland') as does the first paragraph on page 75.
Dunfermline and Coast Association of Community Councils: We strongly believe that all planning applications should as part of the application - and not as some vague responsibility else where - be covered by an Environmental Impact - Analysis. This would stand the best chance of success as the process of carrying out a full EIA - an already internationally accepted procedure used by professionals all over the world - would throw up and highlight many of the problems that now come from the very poor planning procedures which allows some complex problems to be swept under the carpet.
Foulden, Mordington & Lamberton Community Council: The intention to introduce standard application forms in clear and understandable everyday language could be a great step in clearing up misunderstandings which exist at present.
Voluntary Organisations
Brethren Gospel Trusts: This is supported and should result in increased efficiencies at local level and greater understanding by the general public.
Colinton Amenity Association: Planning applications should not be validated for representations until all relevant information has been gathered e.g. easily understandable drawings, changes of levels, elevations supplemented with photomontages that clearly show the relationship to surrounding building and landscape, explanation of building concepts and landscape proposals from the outset for sensitive sites e.g. listed buildings, conservation areas, AGLV, Green Belt etc There should be a requirement that detailed landscape proposals [including amenity and recreation provision] should form part of the initial assessment for planning consent [ i.e. not be a reserved matter] and be subject to scrutiny by third parties.
Scottish Civic Trust (and civic trust network): There should be an ability of local planning authorities to refuse to register applications if inadequate or incomplete material is submitted. Guidance will be needed to set out various standards for types of applications.
The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland ( AHSS): The proposed introduction of a standardised set of application forms for planning consent is a logical step towards regularising the handling of applications within Scotland. Such a development will clearly benefit consistency within the system, and aid the development of E-planning.
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