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Minister for Transport and the Environment
I have pleasure in presenting the third annual report of the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit.
Planning inquiries and the appeals procedures are important components in Scotland's planning system. They provide an opportunity for careful and impartial scrutiny of proposals that come before the Scottish Ministers for decision, either because they have potentially important implications, or as a result of refusal of permission by local authorities. The Reporters Unit plays a vital role in processing planning and related appeals, and in organising public local inquiries.
The work of the unit is now benefiting from various improvements in procedures that have been introduced in the last year or two, and this is reflected in the better performance figures included in the report. I hope that this improvement will be continued, and that further steps can be taken to ensure that the small minority of complex cases that suffer significant delay is further reduced.
I would ask all those involved in the appeals and inquiries procedures to cooperate with the staff of the Reporters Unit in the efficient operation of the better procedures that are now in place.
Sarah Boyack MSP
Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters Unit
2 Greenside Lane
Edinburgh EH1 3AG
Tel: 0131-244 5649 Fax: 0131-244 5680
E mail: seiru@scotland.gov.uk
Chief Reporter: R M Hickman MA BA(Hons) DipTP MRTPI
December 1999
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