Council Planning Procedures

ARGYLL AND BUTE PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Argyll and Bute Council has become one of the first in Scotland to propose changes in its planning procedures in response to new legislation. The move comes following the Scottish Government’s introduction of a new three-tier hierarchy of planning applications – National, Major and Local - from August. Councillors have now agreed both the establishment of a new Planning, Protective Services and Licensing (PPSL) Committee and a new scheme of delegation to cover the three new types of application. In addition, a central unit based in Dalriada House in Lochgilphead has been set up to oversee the registration and validation of all planning applications, and to manage the Council’s new responsibility of carrying out neighbour notification. Such a hub was a key recommendation of a previous Best Value Review carried out into how best to prepare for the revised legislation. Argyll and Bute’s planning services department has already started training sessions with Community Councils, agents, other consultees and members to prepare them for the new ways of working. Some preliminary information is already on the Council’s website, and this will be updated regularly between now and August to advise all those involved in the planning process of the detail of the changes, how this will affect the requirements for a planning application and how it will be dealt with. Councillor Daniel Kelly, Chair of the new PPSL Committee, said he was delighted with the way the Council had responded to the new requirements. “I welcome the changes which are being introduced, and the challenges they present to the Council in terms of service delivery,” he added. “Argyll and Bute has responded extremely positively, and I understand we are one of the first authorities to pass our new scheme of delegation to the Scottish Government.” Councillor Kelly stressed that the new unit in Dalriada House will ensure a consistency of approach to all applications, and no delays in neighbour notifications. “We hope that what has now been put in place, coupled with the additional information and advice being made available, will ease the changes for all those involved in the planning system,” he said. “I am confident that the new scheme of delegation will help speed up decisions in terms of Local applications, and provide an appropriate forum in which members can discuss and concentrate the larger scale, more complex proposals.” The new arrangements will see the vast majority of Local planning applications determined at officer level, without ever going in front of Councillors. However, should an applicant wish to appeal this delegated decision he or she will have the right to have the decision reviewed by a panel of Councillors. Decisions made by Councillors at the PPSL Committee, as at present, can be appealed to Scottish Ministers.