Tips writing your response to the Highland-wide Local Development Plan

For those who are about to start your submission to the Development Plan consultation:

• Remember who you are trying to persuade - really the Reporter not the council
  
• Be clear about what changes you want - bear in mind that what you write is required to be summarised by the Planning Authority so be as unequivocal (but polite, of course) as possible
  
• Be comprehensive…
• …but succinct - only 2000 words encouraged (but enclosures can be added as well)
  
• Focus on planning, and realistic options
• Recognise the Reporter’s role
• Recognise the other parts of the system

EXTRACT

Examinations are intended as the principal means of independently testing the issues arising from representations on proposed strategic development plans ( SDPs) and local development plans ( LDPs). Amongst other things they should examine the issues raised in representations rather than responding to each individual representation and ensure the process is understandable and transparent to the public.

The planning Authority has to submit a summary of unresolved issues.

71. The summary of unresolved issues is to group the representations into a smaller number of issues. It is to:

* Number and list all the unresolved representations and name the people making the representations;

* Include a summary of the issues raised in the representations;

* Include the authority's reasons (generally expressed in less than 800 words per issue) for not modifying the plan in regard to each issue; and

* Be arranged, so far as practicable, so that the issues appear in the same order as they are set out in the plan.

A form for the summary is included as schedule 4 to the regulations.

For more information go to Planning Circular 1 2009