Wild Land News no 64, Autumn 2005

Modernising the Planning System Article

Alistair Cant

The Scottish Executive has published its White Paper outlining its plans for streamlining the planning system in Scotland. It has two key negatives. Firstly the Executive have not taken on board the concept of a 'Third Party Right of Appeal' after consultation on the issue. Secondly the White Paper proposes a severe curtailment of public rights for schemes identified as 'National Developments'. If the changes were implemented, then such schemes could not be challenged on their 'need' if Ministers deem them to be of National importance.

The Scottish Wild Land Group Steering Team sees this crucial proposal of 'National Developments' as hugely important to defeat, as otherwise citizens in Scotland will be rendered impotent in respect of commenting on key planning proposals. The full details are on the web at www.scotland.gov.uk, and for Scottish Environment LINK's views, see www.scotlink.org