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01 INTRODUCTION
SCOTTISH MINISTERS ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE THE PLANNING SYSTEM MORE INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE WITH GREATER OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS.
01 Planning is important. It really matters. The planning system is there to promote, facilitate and regulate development in the public interest. Development is essential if we are to meet current and future economic, social and environmental challenges. These challenges require mineral and energy resources, jobs, homes, schools, hospitals, leisure and recreation facilities. To enable development to proceed and to deal with the consequences of development requires timely investment in a range of infrastructure - transport, energy, water, drainage and waste as well as a wide range of community facilities. Provided in the right place, at the right time and to the right standard with good quality design, these developments and their supporting infrastructure can make a significant contribution to our sustainable development aspirations.
02 The impact of development, much of which is irreversible, on the lives of individuals and communities can be very significant depending on its nature, scale and location. While there are already opportunities for people to engage in the planning system, there are barriers to getting involved. The system is complex and highly technical; it can be confusing and people may feel that their views are not considered sufficiently leading to a breakdown in trust between all parties involved. There is a lack of awareness of the relevance of planning to people's lives which means that many have no interest in getting involved until a development proposal directly affects them. All too often, engagement is left to the last minute, whereas early involvement might have resulted in better outcomes in terms of decision making. All sections of a community should engage in planning the future of their area if decisions are to be improved. The aim is for a planning system that promotes early and broad based engagement when planning policy is being drawn up and when applications for planning permission are made.
03 Better engagement cannot, however, guarantee that everyone gets the decisions or outcomes they desire. Land allocations and investments in the infrastructure that society needs, or demands, throw up tough choices and hard decisions. There will always be cases where differences cannot be resolved. The challenge lies in ensuring that communities are engaged in shaping the future of their area; that the basis and justification for policies, land allocations, infrastructure priorities and decisions are clear and that the trade-offs between competing and, in some cases, conflicting interests are explicit and transparent. That places responsibilities on, and requires a culture change from, planning authorities, the development industry and communities themselves.
04 This PAN suggests ways to help improve community engagement. It seeks to raise awareness of planning in Scotland and to demonstrate how the reforms will provide more and better opportunities for people to get involved. This should in turn result in more widespread trust and confidence in the planning system. The aspiration goes beyond planning authorities and developers publishing their plans, or submitting planning applications, and waiting for a reaction. It is instead about promoting a more inclusive and participatory system. To achieve this, everyone interested in the future development of their neighbourhood, village, town or city should understand the importance of the planning process, how to get involved at the earliest possible opportunity and feel confident that engaging in the process has been meaningful. The PAN sets out advice and information to help ensure that everyone, no matter what their age, gender, or cultural background, can participate in ways that suit them in the planning decisions that affect their environments.
05 The PAN has been designed with a range of users in mind; planning authorities, Councillors, developers/applicants, communities and key agencies and statutory consultees. A glossary 1of planning terms is included at the end of the document. A summary leaflet for the public and community groups is also available which contains information about how people can be involved in the current planning system.
06 This PAN contains examples of community engagement that have been used by several planning authorities, the development and industry sectors and community groups. Further examples of effective community engagement will be placed on the Scottish Executive planning website as they emerge. While these examples do not comment on the effectiveness of engagement, they do provide a useful indication of the techniques that have been used at various stages of community engagement in planning that authorities and developers may find helpful. Your help with the submission of further interesting examples is requested. Users of the planning system might find it helpful to learn from and build upon these experiences and approaches in fulfilling the new inclusion measures outlined in the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 and within this PAN.
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