Delivering Planning Reform

Throughout April and May 2009, six road shows were held across Scotland with the aim of raising awareness of:

The contribution planning can make to sustainable economic growth,

The legal framework within which planning will operate, and

The central contributions that culture change can make.

The Scottish Government, Heads of Planning Scotland, key Agencies and representatives of the private sector presented to local authority chief executives and elected members as well as front line planning and agency staff.

More information on the subject of Delivering Planning Reform can be found on the Scottish Government web pages at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/modernising/cc/DPRrs


A total of 80 elected members and 233 officials attended these events across Scotland. A day event was held in Inverness at the Riverside Hotel on 14 May 2009 and 8 members and 28 officials attended.

Key Messages from Stakeholders on Planning Reform were given in a note of events as being:


Agencies : Scottish Water are a role model of where agencies need to be.

Planning Authorities : Prioritisation of resources needed on proposals that, when implemented, offer the greatest level of economic betterment for the area (link to dedicated resources and processing agreements).

Councillors : Need training to understand development plans and what developers are trying to achieve.

SG : Should give stronger steer on the project management of development plans that focussed and relevant.

Private sector : Maintaining a good track record of involvement and delivering is important.