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PLANNING Bulletin Issue No 21

Other News

E-Planning

E-planning was top of the agenda for discussion at the October meeting of the Heads of Planning in Dunkeld. Peter Collins East Lothian Council, outlined their link to I-documentsystems' UKPlanning software allowing for the electronic submission and tracking of planning applications, including electronic representations and consultations. Ian Waters, Planning Inspectorate brought the group up to date with the development of the Planning Portal in England and Wales and the range of services and benefits it aims to provide. Over the next few months, the Executive will be investigating in more detail the opportunities, risks and practicalities of a Portal-based approach and setting out a framework for E-planning. We will also work to remove the legal barriers to the provision of an electronic planning service.

For information on e-planning contact: rosie.grant@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0131 244 7553

Retailing

A half day Retail Forum was held in Victoria Quay on 5 September to discuss retail planning policy issues, particularly views about NPPG8: Town Centres and Retailing. The Executive flagged up the intention to review the guidance following research scheduled for the first half of 2003. The research will assess the operation of NPPG8, including the sequential approach and the extent to which it is being consistently interpreted and applied by all parties. A research specification is now being prepared, drawing on many of the issues aired at the Forum.

For information on retailing contact: ken.jobling@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0131 244 7548

Prime Agricultural Land

Last year, as part of A Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture, the Executive consulted on removing the special protection of prime quality land from development given by the planning system. Following consideration of the responses, Scottish Ministers decided it is no longer necessary for planning authorities to notify them of planning applications for development on agricultural land in the circumstances set out in Annex A of circular 4/1997. The Notification Direction was withdrawn on 9 October 2002.

Prime quality agricultural land will continue to be protected through policies in NPPGs and Circulars and Ministers will still have an overview of prime land through their role in approving structure plans. The consultation analysis and digest of responses can be viewed at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning/consult .

Building Bill

The Building (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 18 September and will modernise the building standards (formerly building control) system in Scotland. The provisions in the Bill, which are the result of over two years of consideration and consultation, have several aims, including providing more flexibility in the system for business and providing the public with more information in the house buying process. Local authorities will have extended powers to identify dangerous buildings and overall, the Bill will maintain the high level of protection of the public interest which the present system has provided.

For information on Building Bill contact: billy.renfrew@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0131 244 0811

National Parks

Loch Lomond

The Scottish Parliament has formally designated the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs as Scotland's first National Park. It stretches from Crianlarich in the north to Balloch in the south and covers 720 square miles of some of Scotland's most attractive landscape.

The Park Authority came into operation on 19th July 2002 and has responsibility for development control and local planning and is a statutory consultee on structure planning for the area. The Park Authority is also required to prepare a National Park Plan which will set out its strategic policy in relation to planning, management and co-ordination of its functions within the Park.

The Park Board consists of 25 members of which 5 are directly elected by people who live within the Park boundary and the remaining members are Local Council nominees or appointed by Scottish Ministers. The Director of Planning for the Park will have 12 staff to carry out its planning functions and preparation of the Park Plan.

Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace, said:

"John Muir's vision of a National Park in his homeland has now been realised."

Scotland's second National Park, covering the Cairngorms, is scheduled to be established early in 2003.

For information on National Parks contact: steve.dowell@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0131 244 3108

Transport

Since the last Bulletin was published there have been a number of developments. Work has continued with local authorities and the Scottish Executive (RNMMD) on bringing about improvements to the Trunk Road Development Control system. A number of areas have been identified e.g. more effective pre-application discussions, electronic transmission of information, monitoring of timescales and targets (by RNMMD). A Planning Advice Note on Best Practice in Handling Planning Applications Affecting Trunk Roads will be issued in January 2003 and will include two annexes, one on advice on minor developments affecting Trunk Roads and one on major developments.

A Guide to Transport Assessment in Scotland will also be issued in January for consultation and follows the publication of a research report on this topic in April 2002. It will set out the scope and process for TA including how to assess a site using the new method and a TA Toolkit. It is also hoped to produce the Finalised Addendum to NPPG 17 on Maximum Parking Standards in January following the round of consultation held earlier this year.

For information on Planning and Transport contact: tom.hardie@scotland.gsi.gov.uk Tel: 0131 244 7554

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