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Integrated Policy Approach to the Transport and Land Use Planning Aspects of Development Applications: Stage 1 Report Desktop Study

3 Research Methodology

3.1 Introduction

This chapter will describe the methodology used in the research. Firstly, a review of existing published parking standards was undertaken. This information was supplemented by a specifically designed research questionnaire which was sent to each local authority. Further details were obtained from local authorities’ Interim Local Transport Strategies, where these were available.

3.2 Existing Parking Standards

The following local authorities’ existing parking standards were reviewed:

• Aberdeen City;
• Aberdeenshire;
• Angus;
• City of Edinburgh;
• Dumfries and Galloway
• Dundee City;
• East Lothian / Borders / Midlothian;
• Falkirk;
• Fife;
• Glasgow City / North Lanarkshire / East Renfrewshire Council / Renfrewshire Council;
• Highland.

A representative sample was obtained of existing parking standards, covering the four major cities, a range of smaller towns, and also the rural areas of Highland and Aberdeenshire.

In addition to supplying information on existing parking standards, Edinburgh City Council and Glasgow City Council provided details of proposed draft parking standards, which have been produced prior to Council approval. These draft standards were included within the review.

3.3 Local Authority Questionnaire

A questionnaire (see Appendix A), was developed seeking information from Local Authorities on current practice with regard to parking standards, thresholds, Transport Assessments and the requirement for Green Transport Plans as part of the development control process.

All Scottish local authorities were sent questionnaires (32 Councils), addressed to either specific nominated officers provided by the Scottish Executive, or to the Head of Planning/Head of Transport. A total of 18 Councils have responded to the questionnaire, representing a 56% return rate. Those that have replied are:

• Aberdeen City Council;
• Aberdeenshire Council;
• Angus Council;
• City of Edinburgh Council;
• Clackmannanshire Council;
• Dumfries and Galloway Council;
• Dundee City Council;
• East Lothian Council;
• East Renfrewshire Council;
• Falkirk Council;
• Fife Council;
• Glasgow City Council;
• Midlothian Council;
• North Ayrshire Council;
• North Lanarkshire Council;
• Orkney Islands Council;
• Renfrewshire Council;
• Stirling Council.

A representative range of Local Authorities have replied to the questionnaire, covering the four major cities, other important towns throughout Scotland, and rural areas.

3.4 Interim Local Transport Strategies

A summary of the parking policies which were contained within local authorities’ interim local transport strategies was provided by the Scottish Executive.

In addition, several local authorities provided Oscar Faber with either full copies of their Interim Local Transport Strategies, or relevant extracts from them, along with their questionnaire responses, as follows:

• Aberdeen City;
• Aberdeenshire;
• City of Edinburgh;
• Dumfries and Galloway;
• North Lanarkshire.

This information provided further in depth information to the responses which have been provided within local authorities’ questionnaire responses.

3.5 Summary

The desktop study has reviewed existing parking standards, interim Local Transport Strategies, and also responses given to a specially designed questionnaire. A good geographical coverage was obtained with existing parking standards, also with the questionnaire, which achieved a 56% response rate. The following chapter presents the results of the review.

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