Coupar Angus, Ardler and Bendochy community council

Working for a healthy, happy and prosperous community

New planning system, comes into force 3 August 2009

Information from David Wood of Planning Aid Scotland regarding changes to the planning system coming into force on 3 August 2009 (based on the Planning Act 2006).

Development plans

Instead of a Structure Plan and a multitude of Local Plans, there will be a single ‘Local Development Plan’ to cover the whole county. The council is required to carry out local consultation.

There will also be Strategic Development Plans for the four “city regions”:-

Glasgow & the Clyde Valley;
Aberdeen City & Shire;
Dundee, Angus, Perth & North Fife; and
Edinburgh & South East Scotland

Development Plan Scheme - gives schedule and participation statement – how the Council proposed to consult stakeholders and members of the public. Once the local plan has gone through various drafts, the Council will send it to the government including a participation statement, detailing the type of consultation they have done.

Development management (formerly 'development control')

CCs remain statutory consultees. The big change is the hierarchy of planning applications. There will be three types:

National – e.g. new Forth Road Bridge
Major
Local

Appeals against rejection of a local planning application will be heard by the Council under a Local Review Body.

Major applications - a major application in terms of housing is more than 50 houses. There are also rules relating to electrical power and length of roads. PAN81 on community engagement will be revised. (PANs are 'material considerations'). N.B. PAN = Planning Advice Note = advice from the government to local authorities on how to make planning decisions.

For National and Major Applications the applicant will be required to undertake Pre-application consultation with the local community/Community Council – one event is required

Note – National Planning applications will go before Full Council for determination; Major applications which are contrary to the Development Plan will also go to Full Council. National planning Framework 2 details proposed National developments.