Monday 24 February 2014

NPF3 - 'What the Committee heard'


Further to the previous post on NPF3 progress, 


I have not read through all of the submissions to the latest stage of scrutiny (see below for the list of submissions on NPF3 to the Local Government and Regeneration Committee - and others - and how I located this list) but it appears that some groups are not too happy with quite a few things in and about the Proposed NPF3 (they are not happy with the 60 day parliamentary scrutiny period particularly) and are telling the Parliamentary Committee just that.

'Planning Democracy' remains very concerned as does  'The John Muir Trust' and 'RSPB Scotland'.  'Planning Aid Scotland' expresses some concerns too.  All these submissions are well worth a read.

Regular readers will recognise the sentiments expressed here, taken from the list response '10' from 'Nestrans':


"...However, very little consideration is given in the Proposed Framework to the implications of the projected growth, particularly as it applies to infrastructure requirements to facilitate that growth. "


Responses '4' and '6' on the list (Holder Planning and Brodies LLP) put forward the idea of merging National Planning Frameworks and Scottish Planning Policy, NPF and SPP, into one document.

I will need to read the RTPI response more thoroughly as well as that from the 'Heads of Planning Scotland' which was submitted by their chairperson, Malcolm Macleod.


[I clicked on the link Scottish Parliament's 'Committees' page then visited the 'Local Government and Regeneration Committee's' web page.  

From that page I clicked on the link to NPF3 and SPP under 'Current Business' and then clicked on 'Written Submissions Received' - which is under the 'Evidence' section.

The list below can be found at the 'evidence' link 

Submissions received as part of NPF3 and SPP Inquiry






Progress on National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3)


Latest just in from Scottish Government newsletter:


...Over the past month four Parliamentary committees have been taking written and oral evidence as part of their scrutiny of Proposed NPF3.  This has included evidence sessions with Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government and Planning, Keith Brown MSP, Minister for Transport and Veterans and Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Environment and Climate Change.

The written and oral evidence can be found on the four committees on the Scottish Parliament's Committees page.

For those with a hard copy Proposed NPF3 please note an erratum was published on February 5, 2014. 

Online versions of Proposed NPF3 have already been amended.


ALSO FROM SG NEWSLETTER

Chief Planner - Change to contact e-mail address


You should be aware that the new email contact for the Chief Planner, John McNairney is Chief.Planner@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

We would be grateful if all future correspondence for Mr McNairney's attention, be sent to the Chief Planner mailbox.


PAD Introductory Event


Planning and Architecture Division's Introductory Events are held over the course of a day. The free sessions are open to all and are designed to build an awareness of, and offer an opportunity to discuss, current Scottish Government planning policy initiatives.
If you are interested in attending please email Iain McLeod.


Stakeholder Survey

Thank you to everyone who took part in our stakeholder survey.  The feedback is invaluable and will help inform our service improvement plan for 2014-15.

Friday 14 February 2014

Remember! Remember!


Well, my word, is it really more than 3 months since I have posted anything?  I must admit signing in today I had almost forgotten what to do!

It seems a little too late for 'Happy New Year', but, there, I have said it anyway.

There has been a lot going on planning wise and I have been quite busy with various responses.


Here is a quick 'catch-up' and a few links to some items that readers might find interesting.


  • For the latest information on the 'Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan' click here

  • Latest on the Development Plan Scheme click on the Planning, Environment and Development Committee link just below


Extract from committee agenda


13. Development Plan Scheme Update
Fios as Ùr mu Sgeama Plana Leasachaidh

There is circulated Report No. Ped-15-14 (464kb pdf) dated 24 January 2014 by the Director of Planning and Development outlining the content of the Development Plan Scheme (DPS), attached as Appendix 1 to the report, which provides an up to date position on the Council’s timescales for preparing its Development Plan documents.  This includes the steps toward adoption of the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan and the initial stages of the Caithness and Sutherland Local Development Plan (CaSPlan).  This year the DPS has been updated to illustrate how the Council proposes to incorporate the Scottish Government’s focus on an outcome driven planning system in its emerging Development Plans.

The Committee is asked to agree the content of the 2014 Development Plan Scheme in order that the document be submitted to the Plain English Campaign and subsequently submitted to the Scottish Ministers.


  • Latest info re 'The Third National Planning Framework' at link here

Extract:
Following consideration of the responses to the public consultation on the Main Issues Report (MIR) for NPF3, a Proposed NPF3 was laid in the Scottish Parliament on January 14, 2014.
The Proposed NPF3 is subject to Parliamentary scrutiny for a 60 day period until March 24, 2014.  Further details of how the Parliament will scrutinise the Proposed NPF3 and you can get involved can be found on the Parliament’s website.





  • From 'Planning'


Extract, 

'...It was submitted that the inspector placed too much emphasis on the developer’s desire to make a profit and, whilst he had observed that it was "not the role of the planning system to insure the landowner against loss", he had effectively done just that.
 However, in upholding the inspector’s decision, the court ruled that he had been entitled to focus on the substantial shortfall of housing land in the City...'