'Planning Aid Scotland - new website and information sheets"

News just in

"Planning Aid Scotland launches new website and information sheets

Planning Aid Scotland recently launched its new website.  The aim is to make it easier for members of the public, community groups and local authorities to find the information they need.
A new set of updated and consolidated information sheets on the planning system have been published. You can visit the new website at: www.planningaidscotland.org.uk "

At last a 'little something' on 'NPF3 and SPP'

Extracts from emails received this week - PLEASE NOTE WELL THE SENTENCES I HAVE HIGHLIGHTED


The responses to consultations on Draft SPP have been analysed independently and the
reports of this analysis are available at:

 Full analysis: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0043/00437083.pdf
 Report of main findings: http://scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0043/00437087.pdf

Following initial consideration of the responses, it is clear that the intention to include
separate principal policies on ‘sustainable economic growth’ and ‘sustainable development’
raised a number of issues, with calls for clarification on the relationship between both
policies and on how economic considerations were to be balanced against social and
environmental factors. To address this, the Scottish Government is now consideringreplacing these separate policies with a single principal policy on ‘Sustainability andPlanning’ and introducing a presumption in favour of sustainable development into the SPP.

A further public consultation on this change began on October 28, 2013 with copies of the
consultation paper plus associated documents available on the Scottish Government website
at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/10/3406.

Responses are requested by December 16, 2013. Should you require further information onthis consultation, please e-mail the SPP Review Team at SPPReview@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.


The public consultation on the National Planning Framework 3: Main Issues Report closed
on 30 July 2013. The responses have been analysed independently and the reports of this
analysis is now available on the Scottish Government’s website at:

 Full analysis: http://scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0043/00437094.pdf
 Report of main findings: http://scotland.gov.uk/resource/0043/00437093.pdf

Individual responses to the consultations are also available to view by following the links at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/NPF3-SPP-Review.

'...the Proposed Planwill be laid before Parliament in January 2014, and as soon as possible after recess ends on5 January. As you will be aware, the NPF3 Proposed Plan is subject to 60 dayParliamentary scrutiny. The Minister has been keen to take on board comments aroundtiming expressed by the Committee and also in responses to the public consultation.

We will contact those who responded to the NPF3 public consultation again once the Proposed Plan has been laid before Parliament.

Extended timescale for the finalisation of Scottish Planning Policy

The Minister has also recently announced that the timetable for the completion of work on
the review of the SPP is to be aligned with the publication of NPF3. The expected

publication date of the SPP is now June 2014.

Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan (Proposed Plan)

Extract from a THC press release HERE

'...A 6 week public consultation on the Proposed Plan will run from 1st November – 13th December 2013.  The Council has designed the Plan as an interactive online document that can be accessed through the Council’s website www.highland.gov.uk/imfldp where comments on the Plan should also be made.'


More on this at a later date...

Proposed amendments to Highland Council Service structure

 Extract from HC Press Release HERE

...Highland Councillors will be asked next week to amend the Council’s Service structure to align teams into five Services rather than the current seven, delivering year-on-year savings of £350,000 from 2014/15.

...The proposed new Services are:-

•  Children, Education and Adult Services
•  Finance
•  Corporate Development
•  Capital and Development
•  Community Services

 ...“The need to focus on improving the economy and creating jobs underpins the proposal to create a new Capital and Development Directorate in which all of the resources of the Council delivering capital developments are aligned with our teams which are supporting economic improvement.


Where will 'Planning and Development' fit?


Well this is Item 18 on the Agenda for next Thursday's Full Council meeting

18.  Proposed Amendments to Service Structure
Atharrachaidhean air am Moladh do Structar nan Seirbheisean

There is circulated Report No. HC-51-13 (990kb pdf) dated 14 October 2013 by the Chief Executive which details proposals to amend the Council’s Service structure to align teams into 5 Services rather than the current 7. The paper also describes the reasons for the changes and notes that a saving of £350k per annum will be delivered.

The Council is invited to agree:-

i.  the amendments to the Service structure as contained in Paragraphs 2.3 to
    2.8 and also summarised in Appendix 2 and that these be implemented in 2
    phases by 30 September 2014;
ii. that consultation with Trade Unions and Senior Managers should take place
    from 25 October 2013 and that detailed proposals relating to the deployment
    and responsibilities of posts in Service Management Teams be brought to the
    Council on 19 December 2013; and
iii. that the remits of Strategic Committees be reviewed to achieve better
    alignment with the revised Service structure and that a report and
    recommendations be brought to the Council on 19 December 2013.

The Committee Report  indicates in Appendix 2 (on the last page) that 'Planning' will sit in the new Directorate of 'Capital and Development'

Director of Capital & Development

Planning 

Capital 

Projects 

Housing Devt 

Design 

Energy Mgt. 

Economic 

Devt 

Europe 

Environment 

Assets 

Update - 'Biodiversity Offsetting'

For more info on the topic see item from 'Planning Resource'

How We Did It - Developer 'offsets' housing's impact on nature

(Project: Oxfordshire biodiversity offsetting scheme)

'Biodiversity offsetting'

News from South of the Border; the proposals for 'biodiversity offsetting' 

"Biodiversity offsets are conservation activities that are designed to give biodiversity benefits to compensate for losses - ensuring that when a development damages nature (and this damage cannot be avoided) new, bigger or better nature sites will be created. They are different from other types of ecological compensation as they need to show measurable outcomes that are sustained over time."

Views expressed on the subject include those from;

The Wildlife Trusts - who also say that they, "... are engaged in the Government’s six pilot schemes and believe that the lessons learned from these pilots will be critical in informing the design of any offsetting scheme."

The Country Land and Business Association - whose President states, "We are very glad Mr Paterson has today published this paper and we agree with his view that there is no reason why wildlife and development cannot flourish side by side" and "There are currently huge limitations on public funding for biodiversity and so the creation of environmental markets to fund this work is an excellent idea. It would be good news for the environment and for the rural economy."

And some believe that the offsetting proposals would be, '...a licence to trash nature'

Whilst others are quoted as saying;

...Tom Tew, chief executive of the Environment Bank, the company acting as the independent broker between planners and developers, told the paper: “I think FoE and others completely misunderstand how biodiversity offsetting works. It is not a licence to trash, it is the complete opposite. When you put a value on biodiversity, you are putting a financial incentive for developers not to trash it.”  Link HERE

...John Slaughter, director of policy at the Home Builders Federation, praised the way Defra was approaching the issue, after it pledged that biodiversity offsetting would not be introduced unless there was consensus that it would not add to development costs, slow down the planning system, or result in a net loss to the environment. 

Imperial College Conservation Society, ICCS, has produced this information

We live in interesting times, but one thing is certain, for any initiative to work everyone involved must be aware of all the implications and possibilities; there must be no difference in interpretation by any side.  There should be no scope for what ICCS refers to as, 'inappropriate application of the approach'.

Strictly Come Dancing - back again next week!

At last my annual dose of escapism; the glitter and froth of 'Strictly Coming Dancing' is back next week!

Web page HERE

Supporting older people and disabled people at home - Case Studies

From the Government's web site:

'The Scottish Government is working to support older people and disabled people to live independently at home in their communities. Housing and housing-related support services have a key role to play in supporting independent living, both through the provision of housing that is physically suitable and through the delivery of support services. Housing-related support services range from information and advice to adaptations and handyperson services to social and community activities.'

More details HERE

A Guide for Mobile Home Owners in Scotland – Your Rights and Responsibilities - Scottish Government

This leaflet outlines the law on mobile homes that will apply from 1 September 2013. It does not cover all the details of the law, and you should contact your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, or a solicitor, before making any decisions based on the information in this leaflet.

LEAFLET HERE

'Community and Enterprise in Scotland's Town Centres' - Report

Report HERE

Housing Bill - Programme for Government 2013-2014

"Better outcomes for communities will be secured through a number of provisions in the Bill. By ending all right to buy entitlements for social housing tenants, the Government  will protect the existing stock of social rent homes, enabling social landlords to help the many people in need of social housing. This will prevent the sale of up to 15,500 houses over the next 10 years. By increasing flexibility in the allocation and management of social housing, landlords will be able to deliver improved outcomes for their tenants and the communities they live in."

More details on Scottish Government web pages HERE

Draft Scottish Government Budget; Impact - homes for rent and A9 Acceleration

'We have accelerated our £3 billion plans for the A9 between Inverness and Perth, which will start in 2015-16.'

"The Scottish Government has committed to provide at least 30,000 additional affordable homes over the five years to 2015-16, of which at least 20,000 will be for social rent, including 5,000 new council homes. All affordable homes delivered with direct Scottish Government support in the form of subsidy, loan, guarantee or waiver of receipts are counted towards the target. In July 2013 we announced an increase in grant subsidy of £16,000 for every new council and housing association property for social rent. We have also boosted our budgets for new affordable homes considerably and will now invest over £970 million over the three year period to March 2015. These steps will maintain momentum in the programme, and deliver vital support for construction and house building companies throughout Scotland."

DRAFT Budget HERE

Councillors miss opportunity to help public influence plan?

Well I have just finished watching the PED - via the webcast of their meeting today - discussing  agenda item 10 regarding the Proposed Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan.

The excellent comments made by Councillor Davidson regarding communities and the intervention by Councillor Crawford notwithstanding I must admit I am disappointed.

Why I am disappointed?

Well, Councillors seem to have failed to ask the question, even if only 'for the record', as to what exactly is meant by the term 'Settled View'.  

Why is this important?

It is important because the Councillors of the PED were being asked in part to;

iii. acknowledge that, as the settled view of the Council, the Proposed Plan as approved will be treated as a material planning consideration for development management purposes as of 18 September 2013.

As far as I am aware, a 'Proposed Plan' actually represents what a Council feels the final content of the Plan should be and in reality (according with my previous experience) there is little that can be done (if the Council wishes to simply 'stick to its guns') with respect to achieving any change to that final content through any consultation or Examination by a Reporter.

There was some discussion at the PED  meeting about encouraging the public to put forward their views via a consultation on the Proposed Plan. However all parties failed to explore the effect that the Plan being a 'Settled View' might have on the way in which public submissions through the Proposed Plan consultation could be treated both by the Council and by the Reporter at examination.

Whilst I would not do anything other than encourage full participation in the consultation on this Proposed Inner Moray Firth LDP I contend that the further along in a Plan process you go the less likely you are, as a member of the public particularly, to be able to influence any substantial changes to a 'Proposed Plan' which is a 'Settled View'.

How could we improve this situation?

I would like to see an additional period of time (say 2 weeks) before a 'Proposed Plan' goes before Committee Councillors, whereby all parties and all Councillors can read over the 'Proposed Plan', and, if necessary, the public can ask questions of their elected members so that they can fully understand the implications of the land allocations and Policies in the PP. Councillors could then have the opportunity to raise concerns or to ask for changes to be considered before the Committee Councillors are asked to adopt a PP as a settled view.


I would also like to see a  little extra time set aside - the Government's wishes as expressed in point 58 below notwithstanding - for the Councillors on the Committee and in the areas affected by the plan to read over and digest how the consultation comments on the 'Proposed Plan' have been considered and whether any changes have been made to the 'Proposed Plan' before Councillors agree to send the plan to a Reporter for Examination. 

I am further disappointed that no one questioned, as far as I can remember, why the consultation period was only the minimum 6 weeks and why it was to take place in the run up to Christmas? (Consultation starting late October presumably will go through November and early December?)



Notes

From 'Circular 1 2009: Development Planning'

55. Scottish Ministers expect the proposed plan to represent the planning authority's settled view as to what the final adopted content of the plan should be. This stage should not be used to 'test the water': new or controversial elements of plan content should already have been aired at the main issues report stage (at least as options). Representations by stakeholders and the general public should be concise (no more than 2,000 words plus any limited supporting productions), but should fully explain the issues that people wish to be considered at the examination. There is no automatic opportunity for parties to expand on their representation later in the process. Authorities may therefore wish to consider offering a longer period, of up to 12 weeks for complex plans, to give parties sufficient time to formulate the entirety of their case.

58. From the proposed plan stage, Scottish Ministers expect the authority's priority to be to progress to adoption as quickly as possible. Pre-examination negotiations and notifiable modifications can cause significant delay and so should not be undertaken as a matter of course, but only where the authority is minded to make significant changes to the plan. The examination also provides an opportunity to change the plan, so if authorities see merit in a representation they may say so in their response to the reporter, and leave them to make appropriate recommendations. However, if authorities wish to support a significant change to the plan, especially one that would entail further neighbour notification, this should be done by means of a pre-examination modification.

'Owenstown'

A very potted history...

'...After years in preparation, the official planning application to build Owenstown was lodged with South Lanarkshire Council on Wednesday (2012) with the promise of 6000 jobs being initially created to construct 3200 new homes in the Douglas Valley.'

'...A decision is expected in 2013.'

"There are some wee snags..." Says Lesley Riddoch, 

"...Owenstown isn't part of the official development plan – it's currently neep fields. Will South Lanarkshire Council bend the rules and approve the planning submission? That's not certain. On the one hand there's no other way half a billion pounds of investment will pour into this declining, de-industrialised area. If the Hometown guys had bought development land they'd have forked out a hundred times more - such is the crazy way planning rules and speculation combine to halt development. But councillors may fear Owenstown is too clever by half – a private world within a world that will raise big hard-to-answer questions amongst existing council-tax payers...'  (Continues at link)

'...Around 1200 people from all over the world are interested in moving their families to Owenstown...However, there are still a number of people in the area objecting to the Owenstown project...' (Apr 2013)

'Owenstown plans under threat' 

'Is the Council about to score an Owen goal?'

'Scottish Screen Archive'; ' Homes for a Highland Town' - Inverness

I found a fascinating short film today dating back to the 1950s

Please click HERE

I wonder who the people in the films were?

There are a few other video clips available on the site plus lists of other films - several for the Nairn area.

So, it all comes down to money then, this NPF3?

A quick selection of quotes from several NPF3 Consultee responses to encourage readers to delve deeper and gain further insights 

NB - keep going to the end to find a little 'local flavour'

RICS

'...Some of our members felt that the NFP3 fell short of their expectations.  Throughout the  document, there are too many references to “aspirations”.  Aspirations to make something  happen cannot, by definition be a “Plan”.  Therefore, the Scottish Government must make NPF3 more than aspirational; it should be evidenced-based.'

Full RICS response HERE

RTPI

'...The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is the champion of planning and the planning profession. We work to promote the art and science of planning for the public benefit.  We have around 2,200 members in Scotland and a worldwide membership of nearly 23,000.'

'...RTPI Scotland believes that planning has an important role in supporting Scottish Government’s ambitions on sustainable development, sustainable economic growth engagement, climate change, place making and well located new development.  We are pleased that Scottish Government is committed to the 3rd National Planning Framework (NPF3) and revised Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) and that it recognises the key role 
they can play and the added value that they can bring.' 

'...We are pleased to hear that the finalised NPF3 will include an Action Programme along the lines of those in strategic and local development plans.  This should help ensure that the document promotes development which is deliverable. 

However, there is still a need to make the connection between aspirations set out in NPF3 with resources that can enable these to be delivered.  This is why it is vital that the document is embedded across Scottish Government and used in the forward planning of 
Key Agencies, utility companies, investors and communities.  It also means that we need to look beyond the planning system as the only tool in delivering development - NPF3 should better link together development proposals with resourcing and paving initiatives including Tax Incremental Financing, Compulsory Purchase Orders and Prudential Borrowing.  This will also require a more explicit link between development and infrastructure provision.' 

Full RTPI response HERE

COSLA

'...Whilst we note that NPF3 is not a spending plan, in our view it needs to be aligned with other investment strategies and policy frameworks – National Transport Strategy, Second Report on Proposals and Policies, Zero Waste Plan etc. There is no reference to the broader context of demographic change and the impact that this will have on land use planning, whether in relation to an increasingly ageing population, areas of potential population growth and population decline. All plans should be evidence based. By providing this contextual information NPF3 can ensure that its proposals will achieve its aspiration as a statement of ‘Ambition, Opportunity and Place’.'

Full COSLA response HERE

CBI - The Voice of Business Scotland

'...We welcome the draft NPF3’s overriding acknowledgement that all planning should be considered through the prism of the need for economic recovery.'

Full CBI response HERE

Architecture+Design Scotland


'...We welcome the strong commitment within the NPF3 to high quality placemaking and we look forward to playing our part in supporting local and central government and other practitioners in the implementation of the policy once it is published by Ministers.'

Full A+DS response HERE

WWF Scotland

'...The NPF3 should describe the duelling of the Perth to Inverness railway line as a 
national priority. The current single track line with limited passing places does not allow the rail line to compete with the road network and offers a poorer alternative for freight movement. If journey times are to be significantly reduced then duelling the line is 

necessary....'

'...Emissions from aviation and shipping are included in the Climate Change Act, so any expansion of capacity in these sectors must not be allowed to undermine the delivery of 
this important legislation. WWF Scotland therefore does not support the inclusion of national developments that will result in an increase in the number of flights from Scotland’s priority airports.'

Full WWF response HERE

SCDI

'...While the intentions set out in the MIR are generally supported, the ability to finance and deliver NPF3’s ambitions is a concern. The final document should make links between the aspirations identified and the expected resources, including where further information on access to finance and funding mechanisms can be found. Public sector investment alone will be insufficient to match the ambitions. Private sector investment and partnership will be necessary to stimulate and deliver many key projects. The final version of NPF3 should identify and explore innovative ways of securing additional private capital to fund Scotland’s infrastructure at a reasonable 

long-term cost.'

'...Paragraph 4.22 of the MIR recognises that “connections and transport infrastructure are key to a successful future for towns and cities”, and the recognition of some of the key infrastructure challenges facing cities is welcome and could be expanded upon. In particular, Inverness (which is currently missing from this section) and its efforts to accommodate significant growth and respond to the challenges of infrastructure constraints should be included alongside Scotland’s other cities.'

Full SCDI response HERE

Planning Democracy

'...Planning Democracy's NPF2 research identified several communities who did not know about proposals for large-scale national developments on their doorstep, or who did not understand that a development's designation as a 'national' would mean they could not question the need for the development later in the process. Although improved in some ways, the methodology remains much the same.'

Full PD response HERE

Cycling Scotland

'...Cycling Scotland feels that the NPF3 should, indeed, provide a more tangible vision of what future cities and town centres should look like. As discussed above, the vision and policies are in place (Designing Streets, Creating Places, Town Centre Review process, Cycling Action Plan for Scotland, etc.). However, there remains a gap between the actual delivery of places and development that adheres to the policies and aims set out in these documents.'

Full Cycling Scotland response HERE

Scottish Property Federation

'...The NPF3 is ambitious as its title states and this is welcome. One note of  caution however is that the fiscal crisis has produced a very risk averse modern investment environment and it may be difficult to attract inward investment into perceived secondary market areas...'

'...The impact of the fiscal crisis upon the economy and financial services is well documented. For the property industry the impact of the fiscal crisis was already apparent in late 2007 to early 2008. However the sector had become heavily leveraged with lenders. The impact of the crisis was to reduce commercial property values by some 44% between 2008 and late 2009. This loss of value has not been recovered in many instances and indeed, has been under further pressure for secondary property since 2009 while prime property has begun to recover.The market is therefore becoming more polarised in terms of value. Consequently there has been an enhanced emphasis upon prime properties and this may well have a considerable bearing on development investment in the near future. At the same time new restrictions upon lending to real estate and a continued reluctance to take the risk of speculative development will inhibit the willingness of the private sector to take the risk of commercial property development or investment. This may have a direct consequence for the willingness of private investors to venture much beyond well-known and safe areas of investment.'

'...No plan is effective unless it is delivered, even if the plan is subsequently adapted. The NPF will therefore not materialise without a realistic plan for investment in infrastructure. Constraints upon both public and private sources of finance will mean the aspirations of NPF will be challenging for years to come, but it is still important for NPF to link to the Infrastructure Investment Plan.' 

Full SPF response HERE

And a little more 'Local Flavour'

HITRANS

'...It is disappointing that the ‘reasonable alternatives’ to the preferred options in the proposed framework are set out separately in the Environmental Report. Development Plans must present reasonable alternatives up front in the development plan and we would therefore expect a national planning framework to do the same to aid the transparency of the process.'

'...NPF3 does not identify any road or rail improvements (except High Speed Rail which will have little or no direct benefit for the North of Scotland) as proposed national developments. HITRANS is disappointed that these strategic transport projects have not been identified as proposed national developments and continues to press for their inclusion as national developments (with support from the partners identified 
above) for the reasons outlined below.'

'...HITRANS also welcomes the continued identification of Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth as an Area for Co-ordinated Action. It is, as stated, an area identified for major change and investment. The specific, additional reference to West Link is welcomed but this should perhaps be broadened to include other strategic, Inverness City, transport improvements. For example the STPR and National Infrastructure Plan includes an A9/A96 connection improvement. All these strategic City transport improvements are to facilitate sustainable economic growth without compromising place making objectives. For example, West Link 
will allow peripheral expansion of the City without increasing city centre congestion and its environmental quality impact.'

Full HITRANS response HERE

Turnberry Consulting

'...I write...to provide comments on behalf of Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd. (HIAL) and Inverness Airport Business Park Ltd. (IABP)...we request that the Draft NPF3 is amended to identify Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) as an initiative for business investment in conjunction with enhancement of Inverness Airport...we request that the draft NPF3 is amended to carry forward the commitments in NPF2 (para 214) to dualling of the A96 Nairn and creation of a transport interchange at Dalcross.'

Full TC response HERE

Moray Estates

'...Tornagrain should be specifically recognised in NPF3...request... identify Tornagrain for its contribution to delivering new homes and setting the standard for new community design in the region.'

'...Tornagrain in located adjacent to Inverness Airport and Inverness Airport Business Park.  The level of development planned for the A96 Corridor is dependent on infrastructure  improvements coming forward, particularly the dualling of the A96 and creation of a new rail halt at Dalcross.  The link between planned growth and a commitment to delivering these infrastructure projects was clear in NPF2.  The loss of that link within the current draft of NPF3 is of concern to the estate as it suggests that these projects are no longer priorities for the Government.  The Estate considers that these infrastructure projects are of national importance and need to be aligned with the spatial strategy for the region...we request that the draft NPF3 is amended to reaffirm the Government's commitment to bringing forward the dualling of the A96 and the creation of a new rail halt at Dalcross over the short to medium term'

Full ME response HERE

Nairn West CC

'...Regarding key airports, the inclusion of Inverness airport as a national development is essential (para 5.36). 

This is not just a matter of capacity. Both Inverness and Aberdeen airports illustrate a failure of strategic planning in the past. Neither has an appropriately-located rail link for the terminal. Neither has efficient and convenient trunk road access. Neither has any kind of multi-modal interchange.

...It is unrealistic to turn the sow's ear into a silk purse. But Inverness airport seriously needs major improvement .

...On High Speed Rail, an upgraded service between the Central belt and London would be of indirect benefit to the Highlands. But improvements in the Highland mainline and in the Aberdeen-Inverness service (as noted in para 5.2 and map 23) would be of greater direct value.

 ...Highland the increasing growth and centralisation of services in Inverness is exacerbating the depopulation and decline of the rural hinterland. 

Full NWCC response HERE

[List of NPF3 MIR Consultation Responses here ]

"At a local level population growth has resulted mainly from the building of new homes."

Received the other day from Research Officer at THC:

'We have published Briefing Note 57:  Census 2011 - Population Change in Highland 2001-2011 on our website at:

Briefing Note 57

The main findings are:

o   The population of Highland has “aged” much as expected since 2001.

o   We have a large number of people in the 55 to 65 age group and should see a steady increase in the number of retired people.

o   The strongest population growth has been in Inverness South and Aird & Loch Ness Wards.

o   The population of Wick, Inverness Millburn, Thurso and Culloden & Ardersier Wards have declined.

o   At a local level population growth has resulted mainly from the building of new homes.

o   Despite strong growth overall the population in 96 out of 292 data zones has fallen.

o   The future publication of results starting on 26th September will give detailed information at a local level.

'...90 houses a year...' at Tornagrain

I came across this on the internet:


'...Given that at Tornagrain the plan is to build 90 houses a year, Duany has no expectation of seeing the scheme completed in his lifetime. However, that is a situation with which he seems quite content. “As you become an urbanist you become a futurist. An architect finishes in five years; our Scottish projects may take 50 years to build out,” he says.'


The article, by Ellis Woodman also states:


'...In the case of his three permitted Scottish projects, he is not expecting — nor even particularly hoping — that all the architecture will be of high quality. The likely outcome certainly sounds far removed from a project like Poundbury.


Link to full article here

And I thought that the 'New Town', near Tornagrain, was supposed to 'echo' Prince Charles' Poundbury principles?

Well at least that is the impression I formed all those years ago when I attended the 'Charrette' events

[See also Tornagrain - the first 200? ]

INNER MORAY FIRTH PROPOSED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN - 6 Week Consultation

The Proposed Plan for the Inner Moray Firth is go to the Planning Committee Next week


Committee Report is HERE


[IMPORTANT - SEE SECTION HIGHLIGHTED IN BOLD BELOW]

PED Committee is asked to 

(i) note the comments received on the Main Issues Report and the proposed responses as set out in Appendix 3;

(ii) agree the Proposed Plan and Action Programme as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 for a 6 week public consultation subject to minor post-Committee changes, including formatting, typographic and illustrative amendments agreed in consultation with the Chair of this Committee;

(iii) acknowledge that, as the settled view of the Council, the Proposed Plan as approved will be treated as a material planning consideration for development management purposes as of 18th September 2013.

More posts on this Proposed Plan soon 

"INVERNESS AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK – ANNUAL REPORT" put before PED

EXTRACTS:

'This report provides Members with updated information on the current financial position of Inverness Airport Business Park Limited. Members are invited to note the report.

The Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) Limited company was established in May 2005 and is a joint venture between Highlands and Islands Airports Limited, Moray Estates and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Inverness Airport Business Park Ltd issued Loan Stock of £1.175m to the Council to reflect the cost incurred by the Council in building the new access road to the airport from the A96. The repayment of this Loan Stock will allow the Council to recover its costs in constructing the road, albeit over a period of
time. The Council is currently represented on Inverness Airport Business Park Ltd. Board of Directors by Councillor Thomas Prag, whilst the Director of Planning and Development currently attends an executive group in an advisory capacity. This provides the Council with the ability to closely monitor the financial situation of the Inverness Airport Business Park Ltd.

As reported to the Planning Environment and Development Committee in January 2011, Inverness Airport Business Park Ltd opted to defer the first repayment of the Loan Stock, amounting to £587.5k, due to be received by the Council in May 2010. This deferment was made in accordance with the Loan Stock agreement which allows the Company to defer the payment if they believe the repayment would have a prejudicial impact on their business proposals for the Business Park. Under the deferment arrangements, the
2010 repayment now becomes payable to the Council in May 2015 unless independent reviews of the Company’s accounts indicate the deferred amount can be paid earlier. The company has no option but to repay the loan stock if these independent reviews provide an opinion that the repayment can be made without prejudicing the development.

...Inverness Airport Business Park Ltd continues to have insufficient funds to repay the Loan Stock without the payment having a prejudicial impact on their business proposals for the Business Park...

The Balance Sheet to March 2013 indicates the net worth of the company as £317,799 (£392,782 as at March 2012) and the Profit and Loss Accounts report a loss of £77,983 (loss of £21,475 for the year to March 2012) over the same period. These figures reflect that the company has still to fully commence its trading activities and is at an early stage in developing the business park

Extract Ends


Report can be found here


More details about IABP


iabp.co.uk

Video

From 2009 Press and Journal item;

"Plans for a multimillion-pound business park next to Inverness Airport could be approved next week.

The 500-acre development on land south and west of the airport is expected to boost the region’s economy by more than £100million a year and create 1,250 jobs by 2021.

The scheme at Dalcross would also include conference facilities, hotels, industrial units, restaurants and shops.

Construction could begin in 2011."

Airport's 500-acre business park is cleared for take-off

"Over the life of the project the business park is expected to extend over 550 acres.

It will include offices, hotels, conference facilities, shops, restaurants and industrial units covering an area 34 times the size of the current Tesco store at Inverness Retail Park.

Over the next decade it is expected to create in the region of 1200 jobs and generate millions of pounds for the local economy."

From 07 April 2011

A development company has said it would expect to spend £30m in creating the first phase of a new business park at the main airport in the Highlands.

IABP said the deal was one of the most significant for the Highlands in years and could lead to more than 1,200 jobs.

Work on the first phase could start by the end of this year.

From June 12 2013

'Bristow Boss Tours Inverness Airport Business Park'

From 19 March 2013 Inverness Courier

"PATIENCE will be needed as efforts continue to attract companies to the Inverness Airport Business Park, the organisation’s new chairman has warned.

More than three years after the 250 hectare project received planning consent, Bond Air Services remains the only tenant and no operator has come forward to run a hoped- for hotel."

I wonder how much time it will take for the Council to get its Loan Stock repaid?