What does APT do in practice?

Besides running the blog?



One task from yesterday; An APT contact drew this 'Homes for Scotland' event to APTSec's attention:



"In association with Turley Associates, Homes for Scotland is holding a programme of member briefings on issues arising from planning reform. Having already focused on the new Development Management and Development Planning regulations, this event will consider Community Engagement and Consultation.



Start Time: 05 Aug 2009 14:00 End Time: 05 Aug 2009 16:00 Venue: tbc Location: Glasgow"



I e mailed 'Homes for Scotland' as below



"I have noted with interest your briefing on planning reform due to take place on 050809.

As the secretary of a community action group, one of the objectives of which is to strengthen the participation of local people in the planning process, I would be very interested to find out more about how your organisation plans to consider community engagement and consultation at this event.

Sadly levels of public cynicism have risen sharply with respect to the prospects for any genuine and meaningful engagement within the planning system which is a great shame given that, as it says in the consolidated SPP:

“Where effectively undertaken, early community engagement can speed up planning processes and lead to better plans, decisions and more satisfactory outcomes”

Further the planning modernisation agenda recognises that:

“Scotland needs a system that will restore confidence in planning and revitalise it as a critical tool for shaping the future of cities, towns and rural areas. Changes to legislation alone will not deliver planning reform. Positive changes to processes and behaviours are required of all the organisations and individuals that operate and interact with the system”

I look forward to your reply"



Of course, I'll let you know how what the outcome was.



{From their web site: "Homes for Scotland represents the country’s private home building industry - an industry which, prior to the onset of the credit crunch, was the largest source of private investment in the Scottish economy, contributing around £6bn and directly impacting the employment of 100,000 people in 2006.Our membership of over 200 home building and associate member companies provides 95% of all new homes built for sale in Scotland". A link to their website is on the blog}