Planning: Proportionality of Assessments Short Life Working Group minutes: November 2024

Attendees and apologies

• Fiona Simpson, Scottish Government (chair) 

• Craig McLaren, National Planning Improvement Champion 

• Stephen Tucker, Stantec 

• Roger Bainbridge, Whiteburn Projects 

• Kevin Treadwell, Fife Council
• Tom Barratt, Scottish Government 

• Lyndsey Murray, Scottish Government 

Items and actions

Welcome and introductions 

 The Chief Planner thanked everyone for their continued interest. 

Case examples

• discussion on information requirements for applications for planning permission in principle (PPiP) – Stephen Tucker led the group through a case and referred to other cases as good examples
• process and requirements from a Small Medium Enterpris (SME) developer’s perspective - Roger Bainbridge led the group through an example of one of Whiteburn’s   developments and shared the experiences (good and bad) of the planning application process, highlighted issues with delays and pitfalls and the impacts of certain planning requirements increasing the challenges in relation to financing

Group discussion 

• the group covered pre-application discussions, validation, responses from statutory consultees and delays and challenges faced in the determination process
• it was agreed that requests for further information should ideally be co-ordinated rather than piecemeal. Such requirements should be clearly justified and necessary - it should not be simply a ‘tick box’ exercise
• the merits of ‘front loading’ vs ’back loading
• It was agreed that the value and purpose of PPiP should be better recognised, with a better understanding between the applicant and authority on the purpose of the PPiP sought (e.g. to help a non-developer landowner to market or sell a site with development potential)
• the importance of having planning case officers with sufficient confidence, experience and skills was discussed, as was the importance of building trust between applicants and planning authorities
• it was suggested that good practice should be highlighted, to help achieve a consistent approach across Scotland. As part of this, exemplars of good practice or quality development were mentioned (e.g. Polnoon and the Athletes’ village) – group members considered that in those cases, there was a focus on and facilitation of outcomes by all involved (including the developer, planning authority and consultees)

Next steps

The group is to reconvene in the first quarter of 2025 to agree next steps around conveying key principles and best practice.