Planning and Politics

It would not be surprising if you recognised that our objectives are what the planning system has always sought to achieve and which the radical changes introduced by The Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 now actually seeks to implement more fully; APT founding members chose the objectives to align with the best principles of planning taken forward through planning modernisation.

‘Access and participation’ is one of the 4 founding principles of the Scottish Parliament. The Parliament is designed to be accessible, open and responsive, with its procedures promoting a participative approach to the development, consideration and scrutiny of policy and legislation.

It is from the heady mix (or unholy alliance) of planning, politics and power that our all difficulties stem.

At the most basic level, power implies the ability of any individual or group to bring abut immediate and visible change in the behaviour or other people. Our experience and research leads us to conclude that there is a distinct inequality in the balance of power and influence within the planning system. We are governed by a representative and liberal democracy, but the planning system is one area which would benefit greatly from more direct democracy. This is what we believe the planning reforms set out to achieve – better place making through community involvement.

Regrettably with the longstanding links between business and Government and MSPs voting according to their party line it is possible for the views of powerful lobbies, particularly that of the building industry to dominate when policy is being developed.

In what, if those in authority are not extremely careful, could be described as a ‘war’ between developers and communities, arming the community with the skills to debate what is best for an area, (which is in the best interest of both the community and the high principles of planning), is not likely to be interpreted by the building industry, (and hence by some Politicians) to be compatible with delivering as much land release for development and profit as possible.