The Development of a Policy on Architecture for Scotland

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THE PROMOTION OF ARCHITECTURE BY GOVERNMENT

There are three principal means by which Government can affirm and promote the value of good architecture and building design:-

• by legislation, through the statutory framework that regulates development;
• by example, when commissioning its own buildings for the public estate; and
• by ensuring a favourable climate in which good architecture can flourish.

THE STATUTORY FRAMEWORK

Buildings are almost always commissioned by individuals or institutions for their private benefit. However what is built as a private act can have a profound impact on the public good. Buildings are central to the shaping and successful development of our towns and cities. They irrevocably alter the character of our natural landscapes. They are vital to commerce and economic activity. The environments they make directly affect the health and safety of their users. Because of the importance of buildings, governments and those in authority have, for much of our history, sought to define the public obligations of those who build and to control and regulate the location and appearance of buildings and the details of their construction. Over time Scotland has developed its own, distinct legislative framework for the control of develop-ment. The two principal components of this framework are the planning and the building control systems.

THE PLANNING SYSTEM

The principal objective of the planning system is to secure the efficient and effective development and use of land in the public interest. By establishing a framework for land use, planning seeks to promote economic development and to encourage economic, social and environmental regeneration. Planning objectives for any given area are contained in structure and local plans. Structure plans set out the strategic policy framework whilst local plans convey the essential local development guidance that provides the basis for development control. These plans provide opportunities for the public and other interests to influence the future development of their areas.

It is a key objective of the planning system to ensure that development and regeneration are not acquired at a cost to the quality of our built environment and natural heritage. Planning seeks to ensure that the environmental quality of our towns, cities and countryside is protected and enhanced through the promotion of good urban and building design. Central guidance on policy and advice on good practice is provided in Government Circulars, National Planning Policy Guidelines and Planning Advice Notes. A number of Planning Advice Notes have directly addressed the importance of raising the quality of development, for example, in rural housing, new suburban development and small towns. In addition, local authorities are encouraged to supplement develop-ment plans with development briefs and guidance on the design standards expected in a particular area or for a par-ticular type of development.

Although the promotion of good urban and building design is a key function of the planning system, responsibility for achieving good design lies ultimately with designers and their clients. The development control principles and criteria set out in development plans and guidance documents are, therefore, limited to broad design matters rather than prescription of detail. Such matters may include issues of scale, layout, density, massing, height, landscaping, access or the use of materials. The intention is to promote and encourage good building design whilst not inhibiting experiment, originality or initiative. This can be a difficult balance to strike. Nevertheless, the planning system has a key role to play not only in facilitating development but also in protecting and wherever possible enhancing the quality of our built environment.

We need to ensure that the development control process continues to place great emphasis on the contribution good architecture and building design can make to development proposals. We need to ensure that there is not a gap between this aspiration and its implementation in practice. We need to continue to assess and monitor the development control process to ensure that objectives relating to efficiency and quality are given equal weight. We need to review regularly the design guidance in support of development plans to ensure that the principles and criteria set out remain appropriate. And we need to ensure that those charged with the administration of the planning system have a sound understanding of the principles of architecture and of good design.