URGENT NEWS: Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan - UPDATE

From THC News Release:

...Today (16th May 2013), The Highland Council has launched a focused consultation looking at further alternatives that are being considered for the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan. The consultation closes on 30th June 2013. 

Between April and July 2012 the Council carried out a consultation on the first stage of the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan, known as the Main Issues Report. The Main Issues Report gave details of sites that were considered to be suitable and unsuitable for future development. During the consultation the Council received comments from around 900 individuals, groups and organisations. Some people who made comments promoted sites that had not previously been considered through the Call for Sites process (which preceded the Main Issues Report) or through previous Development Plans. Other people proposed alternative land uses on certain sites that had been included in the Main Issues Report. In addition comments were received suggesting further changes to the Hinterland around Towns boundary; likewise to the Special Landscape Area (SLA) boundaries as well as suggesting entirely new SLAs.

The consultation includes suggestions relating to the following settlements; Alness, Beauly, Cawdor, Conon Bridge, Contin, Cromarty, Dingwall, Drumnadrochit, Evanton, Fortrose, Invergordon, Inverness, Muir of Ord, Munlochy, Nairn, North Kessock, Seaboard Villages, Strathpeffer, Tain, Tore. The consultation also considers the suggested changes to the Hinterland around Towns and Special Landscape Areas.

The Highland Council have made initial preferences and assessments but we would like you to tell us what you think about these initial preferences and your own.

To aid the decision making process an addendum to the Strategic Environmental Assessment has been prepared and we are welcoming expressions of opinion on this as well.

The consultation document is available online using our Interactive Online Local Development Plan.

This is available on the link www.highland.gov.uk/additional-sites-consultation or visit the Inner Moray Firth Local Development Plan webpage at www.highland.gov.uk/imfldp

Comments submitted will be considered alongside others submitted during the Main Issues Report and will help us to prepare the next stage of the Plan, known as the Proposed Plan. The comments received will help us to decide whether any of these alternative sites or land uses are suitable and should therefore be identified as additional or alternative sites to those included in the Main Issues Report. 

Don't forget Events in Inverness on Tuesday 14 May

Scottish Government web site tells us:

We are holding a series of events around the country during May and June to support the public consultation on the NPF3 Main Issues Report and the draft SPP.

Drop In Events

At each location, there will be an opportunity to see what the Government is proposing for the development of Scotland over the next 20-30 years.  The events will be informal ‘drop-in’ sessions – anyone can come along for a discussion with the team during the hours below.

Scottish Government Staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Inverness

Eastgate Centre

Tuesday May 14, 2013

9 am – 6 pm

Much of interest on the forthcoming PED agenda

From THC web pages here

'A meeting of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday, 15 May 2013 at 10.30am.'

Amongst the agenda items:

10. Update on National Planning Framework 3 and Scottish Planning Policy

11. Highland-wide Local Development Plan – Annual Update on Action Programme 

12. Planning Appeals – Annual Summary of Decisions

15. Nairn South Strategic Masterplan

16. Scottish Government Consultation: The Legislative Framework Governing Allotments

It certainly looks like THC is pushing on 'Full Steam Ahead' 

Mountain Areas; 'Islands' surrounded by Windfarms...

Well, here is the first newspaper item that I have picked up arising from the publication of the Draft ( Main Issues) NPF3:


'...What has been described as the UK's first map of wild land has been published by Scottish Natural Heritage.

...The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) said the map could lead to mountain areas becoming "islands" surrounded by wind farms on nearby land not designated as wild.

...The map forms part of the Scottish government's new National Planning Framework (NPF3) and draft Scottish Planning Policy (SPP).

Article here

'NPF3 and SPP Public Consultation Live'

News just in from Scottish Government:

'Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government & Planning, launches National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) & draft Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) today.

 This is followed by a 12-week period of public consultation, ending on Tuesday 23 July 2013.

Questionnaires are available to provide a response to the consultation.

Questionnaire - consultation questions for National Planning Framework

Questionnaire - consultation questions for Scottish Planning Policy

Keep up to date with updates by following us on twitter

@NPF3Team

@ScotGovPlanning '

Government says 'Tornagrain' not to be designated as 'National' in NPF3

4.46 Several large-scale national developments have been proposed by developers and local authorities. These include the suite of Sustainable Communities Initiative projects (Map 22) and some other housing development and regeneration proposals. Meeting our housing requirements will need delivery of a great many development proposals, from small to large, right across Scotland. Given the scale of this requirement, we do not think it is appropriate for NPF3 to single out for priority any particular developments on the sole or principal basis of their contribution to meeting housing need. We do not, therefore, propose to designate these proposals as national developments in NPF3. (APTSec highlight)

'Map 22' shows 'Tornagrain' and 'An Camas Mor' as among the 11 SSCI projects.


[4.46 is an extract from page 51, 'Scotland’s Third National Planning Framework: Main Issues Report and Draft Framework'

'West Link', 'Option 6', now a key political issue.

Well, it is in black and white, 'Inverness and the Inner Moray Firth' is identified in the 'Draft' (doubling as a 'Main Issues Report') for the 'Third National Planning Framework' as being an 'Area of Coordinated Action'.

What does this mean?  Well according to the introductory paragraph in Chapter 6 of Draft NPF3:

...NPF2 set out regional spatial perspectives to guide implementation of the national strategy in different parts of Scotland.  NPF3 will develop this further by focussing on areas where major change is happening or anticipated in different parts of the country. These areas were identified in NPF2, but the narrative surrounding them has been updated to reflect the newly emerging spatial strategy. The following paragraphs summarise main issues for each of these areas. They will be developed further in the Proposed Framework.

Full Document here

So, what is reflected in the, '...newly emerging spatial strategy' for Inverness?  

What 'key issues' have been singled out?  

Amongst the 5 'issues' called out, this, was the one that caught my eye 

...Recognition of the role of Inverness as the Highland capital, and the key developments, 

such as the West Link, that will support this in the future. (APTSec highlight)

What is so special about the 'West Wink' I hear you ask?  What about other transport improvements in NPF3?  

Well, NPF3 identifies the need for airport improvements - including Inverness Airport.  Then, there is some general discussion around railway improvements  (mentions Highland mainline and Aberdeen to Inverness line) and road transport (A9 and A96 dualling) and there is mention of various Ports around the country (Ardersier and Nigg locally).

There doesn't seem to be any specific mention of a 'Nairn Bypass' or of completion of the 'eastern' end of the TLR around the Inverness Campus.

But what about the 'West Link'?

Well THC's PED Committee 'highlighted' the 'West Link' for inclusion in NPF3 (Link to Report here, third page) back in November 2012 alongside some other areas previously included in NPF2.   Surprisingly, in the Committee Report, there is no specific mention a bypass for Nairn or of completion of the eastern end of the TLR in terms of what THC was putting forward for inclusion in NPF3.  The submission was duly made to the Scottish Government.  

The Highland Council had already confirmed the 'preferred' route for the Inverness 'West Link' Road as being 'Option 6' back in March 2012.

It is difficult not to conclude that Highland Council will now be pulling out all the stops to get Option 6 of the 'West Link' through planning as easily and efficiently as possible, and inclusion in the Third National Planning Framework of the term 'West Link', in my view, will certainly aid that purpose.

In the Words of the Derek Mackay MSP, Minister for Local Government and Planning:

"...The National Planning Framework is a long-term strategy for the spatial development of Scotland...This is an important document, one that will influence development plans across the country and provide leadership to deliver change...By providing a clear vision, it should also be a document that is used to guide future development and decisions..."

The newly published 'Scottish Planning Policy; Consultation Draft' states that the NPF:


"...provides a statutory framework for Scotland’s long-term spatial development. The NPF sets out the Scottish Government’s spatial development priorities for the next 20 to 30 years..."

IT IS THEREFORE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT THOSE WITH A VIEW MAKE IT KNOWN THROUGH THE CONSULTATION ON NPF3 AND SEEK CLARITY ON THE ISSUE OF A 'WEST LINK'.  

Note: No where is the term 'bypass' used.

This is it Folks!!! NPF3 and Planning Policy Consultations start tomorrow

Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) Consultation

Start date 30/04/2013 - End date 23/07/2013

The SPP is a statement of Scottish Government policy on how nationally important land use planning matters should be addressed across the country. A review of the SPP was announced in September 2012. The SPP Consultation Draft has been informed by a period of pre-draft engagement from October 2012 to early January 2013.

National Planning Framework 3: Main Issues Report consultation Start date 30/04/2013 - End date 22/07/2013 The National Planning Framework (NPF) provides a framework for the spatial development of Scotland. The third NPF (NPF3) will set out the Government's development priorities over the next 20-30 years. The Main Issues Report sets out the Government's preferred option plus reasonable alternatives. The consultation paper seeks the public's views. National Planning Framework 3 Scottish Planning Policy Strategic Environmental Assessment Environmental Report Start date 30/04/2013 - End date 22/07/2013 A consultation on the Environmental Report covering both the consultation draft Scottish Planning Policy and the National Planning Framework 3: Main Issues Report and prepared under the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. It seeks the public's views on the assessment of the potential impact of the documents on Scotland's environment.

"The NPF3 Main Issues Report and draft Scottish Planning Policy will be published shortly."...

...According to the Scottish Government's 'Planning and Building' newsletter which arrived teatime yesterday.

Significant drop in APT blog traffic; very worrying

Morning all

I have just got around to checking the stats for the blog and April 2013 has been a very slow month so far in terms of blog traffic; in fact, to date, I have seen only 10% of the number of visits that the blog received for April 2012.   

It could of course be that April 2012 was a bumper month - it was pre-election - but it does give me cause for concern.

This is a very significant time for planning with the publication of two exceptionally important Government documents imminent and none of us can afford to take our eyes of the ball now.

I would appreciate the help of readers in encouraging as many people as possible to follow the blog in the next few months.

Thank you

Please feel free to add some useful comment


UPDATE:

I have checkedthe relevant Scottish Government web pages to see if there is any further information regarding either the consultation on the 'Third National Planning Framework' or 'Scottish Planning Policy' and there is no indication of a publication date for either.  Each page simply states that the document will be published after the Easter Parliamentary Recess.

I thought a quick telephone call would help but sadly the Government's 'Planning and Architecture Division' could provide no further detail -  other than to refer me to the statements on the web site.

Let us keep checking

BBC Radio - Highland News - reports APT 'West Link Consultation' Concerns

To listen to the short report click here

(It was the news bulletin just before 7am today; the whole bulletin is around 10 minutes long, the APT concerns item starts at around 2 minutes in  - at 02.43 - and is just a sound bite; original interview was longer)

No Councillor; the 'West Link Process' was not totally transparent

Take a look at this extract from yesterday's (17/04/2013) BBC News Highlands and Islands webpage:

...On Tuesday, BBC Scotland revealed that house builder Tulloch Homes and supermarket chain Tesco lobbied Highland Council to pursue that route.

But council leader Drew Hendry denied the local authority had been unduly influenced by commercial companies, and he said the West Link process was transparent.

Tulloch Homes said it had not lobbied councillors or council officials. A spokesman also said that it had been the company's understanding that its submission to a public consultation on the road in 2011 was a public document.

In reply to Cllr Hendry; if the process was totally transparent then why am I able to pose these two questions:

• Why weren't all the consultation responses available on line for everyone to read, just as they would have been if the responses had been submitted as part of a Development Plan consultation?

• Why was there only a summary of responses, dated 12/02/2012, displaying a selection comments (with reference numbers and not names)?

THC needs to pay more attention to public concerns and put all of the consultation comment from all the consultations  onto their web site.  The responses from the first consultation should have been available at the time of the second consultation.  

The Inverness West Link page is at THC web site HERE

"...a life and death situation on the west coast"

According to the BBC web pages:

An MSP has said that Highland Council should make upgrading the A890 Stromeferry bypass a priority over the controversial Inverness West Link.

Rob Gibson MSP is quoted as saying:

"Highland Council must see its priorities in a Highland-wide setting.

"I believe Highland Council has been sitting on the money that it's got for development of this West Link and in the meantime, whilst arguing over avoiding 10 minute traffic jams, there is a life and death situation on the west coast at Stromeferry."

Link here

Senior members of The Highland Council refute '...that the Council was influenced by either Tesco or Tulloch'

...Council Leader Drew Hendry (SNP) said: “To question the integrity of all the Councillors and senior officers who have examined and considered this matter over the past 12 years is highly regrettable, deeply offensive and probably actionable. 

Much More HERE

Follow the Inverness Courier's on-line discussion HERE

Out goes Whiteness and in comes the 'Inverness Western Link' into the Second National Planning Framework????????? But at least there's mention of a Nairn Bypass

As a preamble to the much anticipated arrival of consultation on a Third National Planning Framework, why not take a look at this extract from the Second NPF 'Monitoring Report'  -  published by the Scottish Government in June 2012.

It says:

'....The proposed Highland-Wide Local Development Plan makes provision for significant housing and other developments in and around Inverness, including a major urban extension of Inverness at East Seafield and Stratton, and substantial residential development at Nairn and at a new settlement at Tornagrain. The Inverness Campus is one of the sites in the Life Sciences Enterprise Area. Further development of the 
Inverness Airport Business Park is also a priority. Development will be supported by substantial investment in transport and other infrastructure. A design study for the upgrade of the A96 between Inverness and Nairn, including a Nairn bypass, is being undertaken by Transport Scotland and is currently examining design options and their impacts. The Highland Council is also progressing proposals for a western link road crossing the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal. (my underline)

Highland Council is working with Architecture and Design Scotland (A+DS) to prepare an Inverness City vision...'

Now take a quick look at the relevant paragraph in the Second NPF itself:

214. The A96 corridor between Inverness and Nairn is the main focus of growth in the Inner Moray Firth. Highland Council's A96 Corridor Development Framework includes proposals designed to accommodate an additional 30,000 people in the area over 35 years. These include significant expansion to the East of Inverness and at Nairn, the creation of a new settlement at Tornagrain, and a residential and marina development at Whiteness. Development on this scale will require substantial investment in transport and water and drainage infrastructure and the creation of supporting green infrastructure. The STPR has identified the need to dual the A96 between Inverness and Nairn and provide a new rail station, airport interchange and park-and-ride facilities at Dalcross. It has also identified a package of improvements to the Aberdeen - Inverness rail line which would reduce journey times between the two cities by 20 minutes and improve the connectivity of communities along the route.

So why is this local distributor road now referred to in the Monitoring Report?

This is a bit rich given that NPF is a National Strategy and the STPR informed the second NPF and the western end of the Link Road was not considered 'worthy'  of Government money as a 'Strategic road' in the STPR (and still isn't far as I am aware).