Last night's flood meeting

Well, I attended the public meeting organised by Highland Council last night, it was held in the Theatre at Culloden school and lasted from 7.30 to 10.05 approx. The agenda was short and most of the time was given to questions and expressions of views from the assembled audience. People clearly had a lot of views to express.

JBA Consulting, "leaders in flood risk and environmental management", has been appointed by the Council and the area that they will be covering has expanded eastwards beyond the original Smithton, Culloden and Balloch areas through to Croy / Galcantray.

Further report from Courier on-line here and council's web pages here

There was, indeed, a very big turnout

The Inverness Courier web headline prediction:

"Big turnout predicted for Inverness Flood Meeting"

Was indeed accurate; it was one of the most well attended meetings APTSec has been present at. The theatre at Culloden School was around 2/3 full by my estimation.

More detailed report later.

Hearing for Issues 17,18,and 86

All those with interest in development in the A96 Corridor particularly Nairn should put the 27th and 28th September in their diaries as there is to be a hearing.

More details later

(Meeting will be held in meeting room in Eden Court Theatre)

Consideration of CMT Plans at Delnies

Site visit confirmed for 30th August 2011

Latest on Second National Planning Framework Action Programme

Why not browse and then comment?

See here

Local Review Bodies should take 'de novo' approach'

"The consideration of an application by an LRB is in effect consideration of an application

by the planning authority and should be treated accordingly. The Scottish Government

therefore considers that, based on the above argument, the ‘de novo’ approach should

be adopted in determining cases brought before LRBs..."

Letter from Chief Planner here

Wider Planning for an ageing population

Latest News July 2011

As part of the follow-up to the Wider Planning for an Ageing Population report, a national strategy for housing for older people is being prepared. The draft strategy is now available for consultation.

Wider Planning for an Ageing Population

The Scottish Government is committed to enabling older people to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible. This means working to ensure that, whether they live in mainstream or specialist housing, older people live in homes which are safe and secure and, where necessary, adapted to meet mobility needs. With substantial increases forecast in the number of people over 60, this has implications for the provision of housing and support services, as financial pressures grow.

More here

Mediation

Extract

Mediation is a process, involving a neutral, independent, trained facilitator. A mediator assists parties with differences to communicate effectively, understand the underlying issues, assess risk and consider options to enable them to resolve their differences.

There has been a growing interest in the application of mediation in a planning context. In 2008 the Scottish Government, as part of a wide ranging reform of the planning system, commissioned a users guide to assist those with an interest in its application in this context.

During 2010, the Scottish Government commissioned a qualified and experienced mediator to provide mediation support in three individual planning disputes and invited participants making use of mediation to take part in this study. The pilot project outputs are:

• an output paper setting out the findings of the pilot project;
• and the three case study evaluations.

An Outline for Potential Participants is also available.

Ever wondered what goes on in Government?

Placements in Directorate for the Built Environment : DBE will be hosting more 2 day sessions to help stakeholders gain a better understanding of the role of the Scottish Government in planning. Further information is available in an outline. If you are interested in attending please e-mail Angela Gray

There are also are a whole raft of presentations here