Guidance to assist planning authorities with the preparation and handling of information prior to the submission of development plans

CLICK HERE

You may find looking at what Highland Council is required to do useful when setting out your own response to the forthcoming Proposed Plan stage of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan. Remember there will be no further opportunities to submit any comments on the Highland-wide Local Development Plan after making comments on the Proposed Plan. No-one will be able to comment further at the examination stage unless information is requested by the appointed Reporter who will only be appointed if there are unresolved issues.

More information to follow.

SDC Scrapped!

Planning Daily reports:

The government has scrapped the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) as part of its on-going spending cuts. Click here

Here is what the SDC had to say and their main web page here

Back to Basics

Planning is about the future development and use of land. Decisions are taken at the local level, so planning is normally a matter for councils. The Council's three main planning duties are:

• Preparing development plans;

• Deciding on applications for planning permission; and

• Taking action against development that hasn't been approved.

The Planning System:

• Is there to encourage positive change in our villages, towns and cities while protecting the things that make local areas attractive and special assets such as historic buildings and the countryside

The system balances competing and often conflicting demands to make sure that land is used and developed in everyone's long-term interest.

Involving the public is an important feature of the planning system and councils must do this by law. Two main ways in which people and communities can become involved are:

• Contributing to the preparation of development plans; and

• Commenting on planning applications.

Councils must provide opportunities for public involvement when preparing plans.

Community knowledge about how environments function is invaluable to assisting authorities create successful places that meet residents' needs - ensuring quality through securing the best development in the most appropriate places.