PLEASE READ TO END TO FIND 'WARNING'
Here is the first of several items arising from my first very brief look at the Council's 'Development Plan Scheme',DPS (which is going before the PEDC on March 13 2013)
To start with, what is a DPS?
Well, according to the statement at the start of the Council's document:
...A Development Plan Scheme sets out how we will be preparing our plans for using
land over the next year. This document makes it easier for you to find out how far we
have developed our plans and how you can get involved...
The first thing that caught my eye is the progress on the 'Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan', IMFLDP.
The relevant section reports that:
...During the first stage of producing this plan, we asked landowners and communities in the area to submit details of land that they would like to see developed or if there are areas they feel should be protected. This is known as the ‘Call for Sites’ stage.
...The call for sites was launched in late January 2011 and ran until late April 2011. Based on the results from this and with information for the existing Local Plans, we published a Main Issues Report in April 2012. The purpose of the Main Issues Report is to set out what we think are the best options for development and give reasonable alternatives. As part of this an extensive public consultation was held during which time we held almost 40 consultation events and received almost 900 responses.
We are approaching the end of the summary and analysis of the comments made during this consultation. We will consider these and decide on the contents of the Proposed Plan which is the next main stage in the local development plan process and which we expect to publish in autumn 2013. The Proposed Plan sets out a firmer view on the proposed strategy, locations and uses for future development and safeguarding in the area
...Consult on new sites which have emerged Summer 2013
...Publishing the proposed plan and holding public consultation
Revised environmental report Autumn 2013
...Submit to Scottish Government Reviewing and making necessary amendments
Summer 2014
Now, I was somewhat bemused to see a line saying:
...Consult on new sites which have emerged Summer 2013
This reminded me of the old style local plan process. It seem to be adding back in a plan stage that was removed through planning reform. I thought the whole point was to speed up the plan process?
This rings alarm bells because the only place I can see time now being saved is at the examination stage on the basis that the consultation has all been 'front loaded' ('Front Loading' consultation was a key part of the point of reforms all along of course but in my opinion this does not justify a potential shortening examination stage)
So people, make very, very sure that you have your say in the most detailed way you can at every possible opportunity in the planning process. Expect to get feedback and make sure you can see EXACTLY where your views have influenced the plans.
AND; MAKE SURE YOUR COUNCILLORS TAKE THE UTMOST CARE WHEN REVIEWING EACH STAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS IT IS SET BEFORE THEM.
AND; REMEMBER THERE IS A THIRD NATIONAL PLANNING FRAMEWORK ON THE WAY. WHATEVER APPEARS IN THAT WILL HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT ON THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN LOCALLY.
MORE ON what the DPS says about NPF 3 in the next post.
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