The Scottish Government

Name

Alan Rodger

Job title

Organisation

Falkirk Council

Address

Development Services, Abbotsford House, David's Load, Falkirk, FK2 7YZ

Telephone

01324 504710

Fax

01324 504709

Email

alan.rodger@falkirk.gov.uk

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Development Plans Development Management Development on the Ground Community Involvement

Title of entry

Falkirk Council Supplementary Planning Guidance

Professional knowledge Innovation Management Sustainable development

Partnership Community interest Regeneration Customer satisfaction

The project was the production of a coherent, well designed, innovative series of Supplementary Planning Guidance ( SPG), based on the policies of the Development Plan and backed by corporate, community and technical consultations. To date 9 SPG notes have been produced:

• Design Statements

• Sustainable Design and Construction

• Housing Layout and Design

• Shop Fronts

• You and Your Trees - a Householders' Guide

• Trees and Development

• House extensions and Alterations

• Education and New Housing Development

• Biodiversity and Development

Other titles are in production, including Public Open Space, which will be available by short-listing or presentations.

The Planning Audit identified the need for improvements in development quality and this has been followed by extensive national guidance on the subject.

To move the agenda forward locally Falkirk Council establishment a Development Quality Forum involving officers form a range of council services.

An action from this forum allocated to the Development Plan team was to prepare a prioritised series of SPG to expand on the policy background contained on the Development Plan.

The key aim was to improve development quality on the ground through the provision of detailed guidance to colleagues in Development Management and the development sector as a whole.

The intention also was to make more efficient use of officer time and raise awareness amongst members of the need to address quality issues in taking forward the council's Development Plan strategy of sustainable growth.

The production process has taken two years including researching, drafting, consulting, council approvals, design and distribution.

• Development Quality Forum set up and identified short and medium term SPG topics

• Officers delegated roles and responsibilities to deliver drafts through to final production

• Environment and Heritage Committee approval of drafts for consultation

• Consultation with Council Services, Community Councils, technical groups, partners, agencies and wider public on front page and planning section of council's website.

• SPGs revised in light of committee and consultation responses.

• Policy and Resources Committee approval of final SPG and foreword by Leader of the Council.

• Documents printed on full colour, quality environmentally friendly paper for distribution and display.

Council members - the process of council approval needed support of two council committees. This helped a range of members gain a wider understanding of the range of issues involved in working towards quality and sustainable developments. Approval of these topic SPGs was essential to their status as policy documents and material considerations in the development management process.

Development Planning - individual staff responsible for key topics were given dedicated time resources to research the topic, liaise with other local authority staff, search Scottish Executive guidance and policy, trade documents and specialist technical documentation to produce the SPGs.

Development Management - the views of the Development Management manager and staff were sought to help prioritise and develop these SPGs. Further training for case officers and assessments of the effectiveness of the SPGs is planned for 2007 and 2008.

Consultees - views and representations incorporated into review of draft SPGs from elected members, Community Councils, general public, technical groups, partners, agencies and other stakeholders.

Customer Satisfaction - Large uptake of householder type SPGs found to be especially useful by Development Management staff.

Sustainable Development - Greater elected member awareness of key topic issues to be considered in balancing economic, environmental and social objectives in the development management process.

Innovation - Falkirk Council now has 9 quality SPG notes, approved by council, where none previously existed.

Professional Knowledge - Follow up 1:1 Personal Development / Training Needs meetings with SPG authors have shown staff have a greater understanding of the subjects and project has contributed to their CPD. Planning technician has designed and desk top published layout of SPGs with enhanced use of software design packages as part of his CPD.

Management - SPGs have helped in a more efficient use of staff resource time. A reduction in amount of Policy Officer time spent dealing with enquiries and liaison with Development Management staff where issues are clarified in SPGs. More effective use of officer time resources allocated to larger more complex or significant developments that have a greater impact on quality.

Quality - End product quality of documentation is high. Effect on longer term quality on the ground and customer feedback to be established as part of review planned 2008.

The SPG series is coherent, well designed and innovative. It supports the policies of the Development Plan and is backed by corporate, community and technical level consultation.

The utility value of the SPGs as material considerations and their presentational quality have heightened awareness of design as a key factor in achieving the council's approved strategy of sustainable growth.

The resource created represents an excellent effort from staff in terms of research and professional commitment.

25th August 2007