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The Development of a Policy on Architecture for Scotland: Report on the Public Consultation

INTRODUCTION

In the Partnership for Scotland Agreement, a commitment was made to develop a first ever national policy on architecture for Scotland. As a first step in the development of such a policy, the Executive published the framework document The Development of a Policy on Architecture for Scotland in September 1999.

The framework document addressed four principal themes. Firstly, the document set out why good building design and good architecture are important and did so not only in terms of individual buildings but also in terms of their contribution to towns and cities, rural landscapes and heritage. Secondly, the document discussed the values and benefits that good architecture can bring to people, both as individuals and in communities and it discussed these values and benefits in social, cultural, economic and environmental terms. Thirdly, the document suggested why the Executive should have an interest in architecture and a responsibility for its promotion. And, finally, the document set out what the Executive can do to affirm and promote good architecture and the range of issues that a policy might address.

The purpose of the framework document was to raise awareness of the importance of architecture and building design and to stimulate debate on the many and complex issues involved in the making of good architecture. The document invited views and comment on both its general content and the proposed framework for policy development. Following the publication of the framework document, a series of 9 public meetings was held across Scotland, extending from Melrose and Ayr in the south to Stornoway and Inverness in the north. The purpose of these meetings was to canvas views and comments on the document from as wide a cross section of the community as possible.

Over 6,000 copies of the framework document were distributed within Scotland and elsewhere in the UK and Europe. More than 400 people attended the public meetings and 145 written responses were submitted. Written responses were received from both organisations and individuals.

This report provides a summary of the views and comments submitted during the consultation process. The report follows a similar structure to that of the framework document and respondents' comments have been grouped under 22 individual topic headings. The main section of the report records respondents' comments and views on the 22 topics. At the end of each topic, a table records respondents' comments that cross-cut with related topics. A key points summary of respondents' comments is included as Appendix 1. Appendix 2 provides information on numbers and categories of respondents to the consultation exercise. A rank ordering of topics by frequency of comment by respondent is also included in Appendix 2.

The report does not attempt to record every comment or point made in the written submissions and at the public meetings. The purpose of the report is to reflect the range of views and comments put forward and to record both where there was a consensus on particular issues and where there were opposing views. The report, then, should not be taken as an exhaustive record of the results of the consultation process nor should the views expressed be taken as representing those of the Scottish Executive.

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