The pro's and con's of local decision making?

"In Government we will be less prescriptive in setting planning policy centrally and will let local circumstances drive local decisions and innovation. We will instead focus in the future on identifying and spreading good practice across Scotland. And we will take a more proportionate approach to notification and call-in of applications, recognising and respecting the important role of local authorities in planning decision-making"

(Finance Secretary John Swinney; major Planning Summit in Edinburgh 28/10/2008)



"Deveron Highland has lodged an appeal against Highland Council’s Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey Planning Committee decision to refuse its outline planning application for 550 houses, a business park, community facilities and wetland park at Sandown, Nairn.


Deveron Highland has decided to appeal this refusal and allow the Scottish Government to have its say on the future of Nairn."

(Deveron Highland press release 30 July 2009)

“Deveron Highland is not suffering as much as other development companies in the current climate, and is not burdened by a large land bank. We have Sir Tom Farmer’s Maidencraig Investments behind us ‐which, if successful, will allow us to deliver this development to the highest possible standard.”

(Gordon Ramsay, Managing Director of Deveron Highland: Deveron Highland press release 30 July 2009)

So what is it that Deveron is trying to say here?


[Details of Deveron's appeal can be found at the DPEA web site

http://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk/CaseDetails.aspx?id=qJ9349

Current status - Not yet ready for allocation to reporter

Method of Determination - Public Inquiry]