Issue 155 - Royal Town Planning Institute

Report sets out blue printto help build thousands ofnew homesA new report from RTPI sets out a blueprint to help build thousands of newhomes, and outlines 15 key measuresneeded to boost house building. Thereport highlights how the new homescan be built in the places where they aremost needed by unlocking existing largescale housing schemes and potentialsites across England and Scotland.

The recommendations focus on fivepinch points – community engagement,land, infrastructure, finance, andleadership and governance.

Dr Peter Geraghty, RTPI President, said:

”These are bold but achievable proposalsto try to help to break through veryserious barriers which are preventinglarge housing schemes from significantly

contributing to the delivery of the verylarge numbers of new homes wedesperately need in the UK. Whilstsolutions involving existing stock andsmaller scale development will clearlyplay a key role in resolving the housingcrisis, our report concentrates on thepart which could be played by locally-inspired large scale housing schemes –schemes and sites with thousands ofhomes on them.

Our research focus was on large scalehousing because this is most likely tohave the greatest impact in deliveringhomes and sustainable communities butwe believe that many of therecommendations would also helpsmaller scale developments happen andensure we get the right housing in theright place at the right time.”

The study refers to ‘large scale’ housingdevelopment in terms of sites and

schemes consisting of thousands ratherthan hundreds of houses, which eithersignificantly expand a settlement orcreate a new one, and which have majorinfrastructure requirements.

The following recommendations aremade within the report, recognising thatthere is not a “one-size fits all” approachto housing delivery, and that a range ofapproaches will be necessary, withdifferent methods appropriate indifferent localities, sites and situations.

Community engagementRecommendation 1: Local and nationalpoliticians and campaigning groups aswell as planners need to make the casefor large scale housing schemes byemphasising the consequences forcurrent and future generations of failingto build enough houses, and theopportunities represented by large scaleschemes to delivery quality healthycommunities.

Recommendation 2: Local councils,practitioners and developers need to domore to ensure that communityengagement reaches a wider crosssection of the community, includingpotential future residents.

Recommendation 3: Local authoritiesand developers should ensure that thepre-application engagement processand local plan consultation are of a highstandard, which means that they shouldbe comprehensive, straightforward,accessible and represent good value formoney.

ScottishplannerThe Journal of RTPI Scotland

No 155 : Oct 2013mediation of space • making of place

Thanks to our sponsor:

Delivering Large Scale Housing:Unlocking Schemes and Sites to Help Meet the UK’s Housing Needs

Continued on page 4

© image courtesty RTPI Scotland

OCTOBER 2013 Scottishplanner

02 www.rtpi.org.uk/scotland

03 Convenor’s Comments

Update04 Delivering Large Scale Housing: Unlocking Schemes and Sites

to Help Meet the UK’s Housing Needs(continued from front page)

05 New Context, New Approaches – Craig McLaren

06 The Disappearing Front Garden – Sarah McIntosh

07 State of the Nation – Scotland’s Transport Networks –Sara Thiam

08 A Call for a More Efficient and Effective EIA – Zoë McClelland

09 Talkin’About a Regulation – Nikola Miller

Energy

10 Electricity Market Reform – David Gilchrist

11 Planning for Energy in Fife – Michael Westwater

12 Drilling Down into Unconventional Gas – Sarah Baillie

13 Planning’s Role in Supporting the Development of DistrictHeating Systems – Amy Smith

14 Unlocking Scotland’s Offshore Renewable Energy Potential –Chris Collins

News15 Planning Aid for Scotland News

15 Jim Boyack Trust Call for Trustees

16-17 Scottish Government Update

18 Policy Briefing

19 RTPI Scotland Update and Immaterial Considerations

20 Directory

contentsEditorial

�

Welcome to the October edition ofScottishplanner. The theme of this issue is Energy,and our articles look at a range of different issuesfaced by planners in Scotland in relation to energyconsenting, as well as emerging methods of energygeneration including unconventional gas, solar PVand offshore renewables potential.

As usual, we have tried to provide a mix of thoughtpieces as well as articles looking at how energypolicy and developments work on the ground tohelp develop practice, from a range of authors andprojects across the country.

A reminder that the RTPI needs your views! As weget ready to celebrate the RTPI Centenary in 2014,the RTPI has launched an online survey to find outwhat you think of the RTPI and how you view yourmembership. The findings of the survey will helpus to continue our commitment to providing ourmembers with the best possible services, benefitsand support to assist you at every stage ofyour professional career. The RTPI MembershipSurvey is open for all RTPI members tocomplete by 25th October 2013, atwww.rtpi.org.uk/membership/membership-survey

Thanks must go to our sponsors DWF BiggartBaillie for their continued support towardsScottishplanner. I’d also like to thank ouradvertisers.

Nikola MillerCo-Editor

Co-editors: Craig McLaren and Nikola Miller

Potential articles and photographs are welcome.The Editors reserves the right to amend articles as necessary.

Enquiries to: the Editor, Scottishplanner, RTPI Scotland,18 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh EH3 8HQ.Tel: 0131 229 9628; email: [email protected]

The opinions stated are the contributors’ own unlessotherwise stated. The RTPI is not responsible for statementsmade or views expressed in this journal.

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Scottishplanner is the Journal of the Royal TownPlanning Institute Scotland, and is distributed freeby direct mail to all Members in Scotland. It is alsoavailable on the web at www.rtpi.org.uk/scotland

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From pre-application right up to any appeal, our highly-focused, partner-ledteam advises on all aspects of planning. Specifically, our experience covershousing, business, retail, leisure, industry, transport, waste, energy and minerals,as well as natural and built heritage matters.

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06 11 14

From near flight experiences I leftto speak at Saturday morning’sSummer School in Leeds. The sessionexamined planning in EnglandWalesand Scotland (joke in heresomewhere). It brought home thereal divergence taking placeparticularly within the Englishsystem and the rest of the country.TheWelsh Minister for Planningspoke recently at aWelsh RTPIconference about planning being anenabler. The need forWales to havea strategic spatial plan linked tooutcomes and the need to createnot new houses but homes andcommunities seem to mirrorScotland. One delegate did ask whycan’t the other nations adopt theScottish system. In conversationafterwards it was noticeable theviews between the delegates andthe UK Government. This was notparty political but included thosewhose parties were currently inpower.We cannot allow ourselves tosit back, and need to continuallythink how our roles can improvethe effectiveness of planning in allits guises.We have governmentsupport and need to ensure that wecan continue to receive thisencouragement through our actions.

I spoke at a recent Institute ofLighting Professionals Conference on

the subject of Lighting UrbanCommunities International (LUCI).Peter Hughes from ScottishEngineering gave a very entertainingtalk on the value of engineering toScotland. He particularly emphasisedthe role of young people and theneed for more candidates.Who willadvocate for planning? I hope thatour young planners are getting thesupport they need to further theircareers and that as a profession weare engaging and promoting withyoung people on how dynamic andinfluential planning can be. It’s an artand a science. Many don”t at firstunderstand its purpose and how allencompassing it can be if usedproperly not only in a regulatorymanner.

I had a short holiday in Dundee –yes Dundee, and yet anotherbusman's holiday. I really enjoyedtaking time to walk through the city.It's changed so much over the lastnumber of years. The hand ofplanning is there guiding its successwith huge infrastructure movestaking place along the waterfront. Ido hope the City succeeds in its bidto be City of Culture.

I did visit one town of 24,000inhabitants with a high street thatwas showing signs of distress. It didhave 3 large superstores. Is there aconnection? I'm not naïve enough toignore how shopping habits haveand will continue to evolve. Howeversomewhere no doubt there is aroom or desk filled with a variety ofreports which may state why eachshould be granted, no doubt basedon a wide catchment areaemphasising the need for even the‘ferm sheep dug’ to have range ofchoice food available. All letters toCraig please. I look forward toactions which will flow fromthe recent Town CentreReview. It may needradical change for sometowns to arrest decline,planning should be inthe forefront of leadingthese anticipatedchanges.

The RTPI President visited Scotland in September and Falkirk and Fifelocal authorities hosted 2 memorable days examining work whichplanners and their collaborators, both public and private sector, arepursuing .The level of partnership working is incredible to witness andis happening not just within these two authorities.The visit culminatedin a trip to the top of the Forth Rail Bridge to learn of Network Rail’shopes for a new visitor experience. Craig smuggled what appeared tobe a cape under his coat and claimed that he could fly.Adequaterestraint was used and we all got back safely on terra firma.

03

Alistair MacDonald, Convenor,RTPI Scotland

Convenor’sComments

Alistair MacDonald © RTPI Scotland.

© image courtesy of Alistair MacDonald



: UPDATE

Delivering Large Scale Housing: Unlocking Schemes and Sites to Help Meet the UK’s Housing Needs continued from the front cover

LandRecommendation 4: There needs to bepublic access to information on whoowns land and who owns options onland.

Recommendation 5:Local authoritiesshould take a larger role in landassembly, for example by the use ofexisting powers of compulsory purchase.

Recommendation 6: Share risks aroundpotential future land uplift in landvalues more evenly between localauthority, developer and landowner soas to bring sites to market now.

Recommendation 7: Governmentdepartments and agencies should berequired to dispose of their surplus landholdings in a way which takes accountof the wider community value ratherthan maximising the capital receipt, andto do so with alacrity.

Recommendation 8: In view of thelonger lead-in times involved, centralgovernment should incentivise largescale housing schemes, for example,through finance mechanisms or nationalplanning policy.

Infrastructure

Recommendation 9: Link togetherinfrastructure expenditure, policies andplanning with policies and planning forhousing in order to unlock potentialsites, for example through budgetaryprocesses or guarantees against futureincome streams.

Recommendation 10: Local authoritiesshould be empowered and encouragedto use existing or innovative fundingsolutions and utilise central governmentsupport through existing fundingstreams or policies. This could involvelocal infrastructure funding or forms ofdevolved pooled resources.

FinanceRecommendation 11: Local authorities,infrastructure providers and governmentagencies should develop means to pooldepartmental and European resources inorder to deliver the infrastructure whichsupports housing schemes.

Recommendation 12:Where fundingisn’t available, central government

should consider underwriting a certainproportion of the site investment.

Leadership and governanceRecommendation 13:Where required,local authorities and agencies should begiven much greater incentives to workcollaboratively across borders tostrategically plan for housing andinfrastructure sites.

Recommendation 14: Leaders, ChiefExecutives and chief planning officers oflocal authorities need to use planners’skills more broadly in the design anddelivery of corporate plans for growth.

Recommendation 15: Governmentsneed to explore how, where they are ofnational significance, proposed majorhousing developments should beacknowledged nationally and whatspecial delivery processes may assisttheir delivery.

Scottish ContextThe report focusses on both theScottish and English perspective,providing commentary on contrastsbetween the two systems. The studyhighlights the importance of Scotland’sStrategic Development Plans infocussing housing and infrastructureprovision for the four City Regions, andproviding a context for the LocalDevelopment Plans of planningauthorities within these regions.

The clear Scottish planning hierarchy ofnational, major and local developmentis discussed out within the report, andthe role of the National PlanningFramework 3 (NPF3) emphasised,particularly in relation to setting thecontext for future development in

Scotland over the next 20-30 years.The report outlines the opportunity forNPF3 to be ambitious and for itsNational Developments to potentiallyinclude large scale housingdevelopments.

Infrastructure is highlighted as a keyissue in housing delivery, and the reportrecommends that infrastructureexpenditure, plans and policies should belinked together with planning policiesand guidance. It says: “In Scotland, theInfrastructure Investment Plan sets outwhy the Scottish Government invests, howit invests, and what it intends to invest inup to 2030 by sector. However there is aneed to better link infrastructureinvestment to development and so there isa need for the Infrastructure InvestmentPlan to be more explicitly linked to NPF3.This would allow NPF3 to influence howinfrastructure will be developed and howthis can be best used to ensure thathousing is developed in the mostsustainable locations. If infrastructureprovision was viewed in this wider way, itwould also lead to associated rises in landvalues which could be used to supportfunding of housing and otherdevelopments.”

A further issue highlighted within thereport for Scotland is the need forgreater links between spatial planningand Community Planning and SingleOutcome Agreements in a meaningfulway, which would “connect decisions oninvestment to particular places which, inturn, could help communities gain abetter understanding of the implicationsof Community Planning for their area”.

To access the full report, see the RTPIwebsite: http://rtpi.org.uk/housing-project

UK housingcompletionsfrom 1919 to2011

Source: British HousingStatistics-Cambridge:1988(years1919-1948), LiveTable 421-DCLG(years1949-2011)

05

After introductions by AlistairMacDonald, Convenor of RTPI Scotland,Derek Mackay, Minister for LocalGovernment and Planning, discussedhow planning had been put at the heartof the Scottish Government’sprogrammes. He wanted planning to bepart of the corporate approach andoutlined how he thought that plannerscould become local leaders throughdevelopment plans. The Ministeremphasised that resources are importantand the need to link this to improvedperformance.

Pete Daw from Siemens then gave anoverview of the megatrends affectingcities across the world saying that theywere looking to be more efficient as wellas self sufficient, especially in terms ofwater and waste. Other issues includedclimate change, quality of life,globalisation and competitiveness.

Chief Executive of Improvement Service,Colin Mair, outlined how the demand forpublic services continues to outstripresources. Planning had to target andimprove vulnerable areas and we need toembed spatial planning into big thematicpartnerships through integratedengagement with communitiescombining outcome, spatial and serviceplanning. He made the point thatplanning helps to achieve manyoutcomes that are often taken forgranted and urged planners to workbetter to show how they delivereddemonstrable improvement in people’slives. There was a good story to be told.

Malcolm Macleod, Chair of Heads ofPlanning Scotland (HOPS) and Head ofPlanning in Highland Council made thepoint that as well as financial pressuresthere was also increased scrutiny,transparency, customer expectation andcross service working required. He talked

about planning acting corporately and theneed for support form the private sectorto make an impact on outcomes.Malcolm talked about the need to speedup updating development plans; the needto engage the right people in right way; toimprove customer service; to get it rightfirst time and to improve how we learnfrom one other.

Steven Tolson, Consultant andVice Chairof RICS Scotland, said planning hasbecome more regulatory and less projectorientated whereas in other parts ofNorthern Europe planners are facilitatorsand are active in planning and delivery.He said that the State should participatein joint ventures with community andprivate business partners and should be a'prime mover’ that shapes the market.This needs proper partnerships such asthose taken forward in the Dutch VINEXprogramme which was led nationalgovernment and delivered by regions.

Malcolm Fraser said that we need topush decision making upstream. He saidthat we need to take old buildings anddevelop them joyfully bearing in mindthat our existing cities and towns are infact our original eco towns given theywere originally designed to be integratedand nor dependent upon cars. We needto strike a balance between the integrityof space and modern use.

A panel and discussion on the future roleof planners and what need to changeinvolved John McNairney, Chief Plannerin Scottish Government who said theprofession needed to be more confidentand had to become a bigger part incorporate approaches through beingmore outcomes-focussed and workingwith Community Planning. MargaretBochel from Aberdeen City Councildiscussed how we need to changeplanners' image and help people

understand what outcomes we canachieve. Andy Inch of SheffieldUniversity asked if there was a threat oflegitimacy of planning interventions andwhether we need to use ‘betterment’ todeliver high quality outcomes. MikeMacKenzie MSP said that planners needto get better at demonstrating theadded value they bring and work morecollaboratively.

Dan Macdonald, Chief Executive ofMacDonald Estates discussed the needfor Central Government, local authoritiesand the development industry to worktogether to deliver development.Weneed to work beyond silos.

Yolande Barnes, Head of Global Researchat Savills, said having a long term interestin land, and development on, it is keyto delivering a quality product.Neighbourhood making is about streets,not architecture and about fine grain, notbig boxes. Her research demonstratedthat people value places that arepermeable and interconnected to widersurroundings. Residential is more thanhousing – it needs to contain otherthings communities need and want

Professor Duncan Maclennan of StAndrews University thought that weneed to plan properly for infrastructureby creating a system where the nationalspatial plan is explicit on priorities andthese are linked to resources to deliver.We need to ensure politics is informedand rises above narrow, local and shortterm interests and so should look tomodels in Canada and Australia establishwhere expert boards select proposals forMinisterial approval. He felt that weshould be exploring the potential of CityDeals model for city regions in Scotland

Thanks go to sponsors Burness Paull,Scottish Government and Glasgow CityCouncil.

New Context,NewApproachesCraig McLaren reports on the recent RTPI Scotland Annual Conferencewhich looked at how the profession can respond to the changingenvironment that we work within.



: UPDATE

Urban housing has not always had front garden spaces andmany of our historic towns are appreciated because of theirattractive narrow and interesting street layout. In the rapidlygrowing cities of the industrial revolution front gardens orgardens per se became a luxury and many of the terracedhousing and tenements were built without front gardensand only backyards if they were fortunate. The development ofGarden Cities and later NewTowns were a response to theovercrowding and lack of green open space in the industrialcities. Gardens were a very strong component of thesettlement layout, each house having its own front andback garden.

What is the purpose of a front garden?A front garden provides an entrance and a setting for the homein the same way that it could be argued that the green beltprovides a setting for a town or city. It is the first impression avisitor gets of the house and it can provide a statement ofindividuality for example by the provision of lavish hangingbaskets or even garden gnomes.

It also provides a buffer from the public area, giving thehouseholder a sense of privacy and security. It can also help toreduce the impact of street noise and disturbance. It provides aclear boundary from the public street to the private home. Thefront garden also offers an opportunity for the resident tocommunicate with their local community for example throughconversations over the front gate.

An increasing use of the front garden is to provide private andoffstreet car parking. It is also used as storage space for rubbishand recycling bins especially if there is no access to the rear ofthe house.

Planning guidance on the provision offront gardensPlanning guidance on the need and purpose of domesticgardens is limited. Gardens are not directly referred to inDesigning Places and PAN 67 really only refers to the need forprivacy and security for rear gardens. Designing Streets doesconsider the role of the front garden and states that “on-plotparking should be designed so that the front garden is not overlydominated by the parking space”. The environmentalimportance of gardens is referred to in Green Infrastructure:Design and Placemaking as part of the green network.

Many local authorities have now published supplementaryguidance on the layout and design of new housing

development that in particular set out the minimum size ofgardens although this mostly refers to rear gardens. Guidance isalso frequently provided on the need to provide curtilageparking spaces and this can refer to minimum depths of frontgardens to accommodate this use. It is encouraging to note thatthe recently published Edinburgh Design Guidance makes manyreferences to the role of front gardens in the street scene andalso states the aim of providing well defined, functional, goodquality private gardens to all houses and ground floor flats.

Much of the recent design guidance on front gardens has beeninfluenced by the environmentally and visually damaging use ofexisting front gardens as car parks, often involving the removalof planting and boundary walls or fences with subsequent visualand environmental damage. Research for the RoyalHorticultural Society has estimated that 31% of Scottish frontgardens have been substantially paved. In 2008 the DCLGremoved permitted development rights for hard non permeablesurfacing of front gardens while this may address water run-offand pollution issues it still leaves the problem of visual impact.

Surveys by CABE have shown that purchasers would prefer landbetween the street and their house but perhaps we need tothink more about the purpose of this land and how it can notonly enhance the natural and built environment but alsobenefit the resident.

Is there a greater role to promote and celebrate the front gardento support the benefits of a green and active street frontage?Could the increased interest in gardening and growing our ownfood be put at the front of our houses and celebrated and sharedwith the wider community by encouraging people to moreactively cultivate their front garden?

The Disappearing Front GardenSarah McIntosh, Course Leader for the MSc in Urban and Regional Planning at Heriot Watt University,concentrates on one particular use of land that is a prominent feature of suburban Scotland. Is the future ofthe front garden threatened from a combination of urban design guidance eschewing private gardens onstreet frontages and the evident desire of residents to convert existing front gardens into car parkingspaces? How should the planning system address the future role of front gardens in urban areas?

© image courtesy of Sarah McIntosh

07

Planners are well aware of the vitalimportance of an efficient, integratedand reliable transport network to oureveryday lives and the value of goodconnectivity to the economy. ‘Gettingtransport right’ is crucial to creatingsuccessful places.

ICE latest State of the Nation reportfocuses on the condition andperformance of Scotland’s transportnetworks. It welcomes governmentaspirations to reduce journey times,improve connections, and tackleenvironmental and climate changeconcerns as well as encourage morepeople to use public transport overthe car.

While most built environmentprofessionals can agree on what amodern transport network should looklike, closer joint working on what weneed to do to achieve the vision, andhow we make it happen in a difficulteconomic climate is required.

Our report makes a series ofrecommendations which build on theachievements to date and make themost of both new and existing assets.The recommendations echo theprinciples outlined in the ScottishGovernment’s proposals for the next

national planning framework (NPF3);decarbonising our transport networks,better linking our cities and their regions,supporting economic growth andenhancing our links with internationalmarkets.

At their heart is an ambition to betterconnect people with places and toensure that our plans for the transportnetwork are both affordable and delivervalue for money.

In common with other stakeholders inthe development process, civil engineers’focus is on project delivery so theywelcome recent advances in speeding upthe planning process and improvedcertainty. Early delivery of infrastructureis vital to keeping costs down.We’vealready seen notable achievements, forexample, in the delivery of the M74extension and in the new QueensferryCrossing, and the Government has anambitious pipeline of work identified forthe coming years.

However some respondents felt thatmore could be done to improveintegration between transport andplanning processes in many instances,citing examples where transport hadbeen considered ‘as an afterthought’ incertain developments. A potentialsolution is the creation of integratedregional transport and planning bodies.These bodies would have greaterresponsibility for the planning andperformance of the network in their area.Such a move would represent abreakaway from the one-size fits allstructure we currently have, go someway towards integrating andstreamlining the process and help toprovide greater strategic oversight andempower longer-term decision making.

While it is safe to say that there havebeen many notable improvements in thecondition and performance of ourtransport networks, we also feel thatthere are a variety of steps thatGovernment can take to maximisetransport’s potential to support long-term, sustainable economic growth.

So take a look at our report and let usknow your views - we’ll look forward todiscussing and debating these issueswith you and others over the comingmonths.

ICE Scotland’s State of the Nation reportis available to download atwww.ice.org.uk/scotland

Sara Thiam is the Regional Director for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)Scotland. In this article, she discusses the main findings of the Institution’srecently launched State of the Nation Transport report, and what it meansfor planning in Scotland.

State of the Nation –Scotland’s Transport Networks

© image courtesy of ICE

At their heart is anambition to better connectpeople with places and toensure that our plans forthe transport network areboth affordable and delivervalue for money.

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A potential solution isthe creation of integratedregional transport andplanning bodies. Thesebodies would have greaterresponsibility for theplanning and performanceof the network in theirarea.

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OCTOBER 2013 Scottishplanner : UPDATE


The Scottish Government has updatedits Planning Advice Note (PAN) onEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA)advocating more effective and efficientways to carry out EIA and assist all thoseinvolved to ensure that EIA reportingdoes not form a barrier to informeddecision making.

The main premise of the new advicenote is a call for EIA to be moreintegrated with the developmentmanagement process, moreproportionate, or in other words, ‘fitfor purpose’, and for approaches to bemore efficient.

There is an emphasis on earlyengagement with Planning Authoritiesand the EIA Consultation Bodies toensure the full benefits of EIA can berealised such as improvements in designand integration of mitigation measures.Proportionality should be achieved byfocusing on the significantenvironmental effects.

As someone who has been involved in arange of EIA projects over the past 10years, the call for proportionality andefficiency is important, however, it willrequire a change in mind-set from thecurrent precautionary stance for bothdecision makers and practitioners. It isclear there is no benefit to be gainedfrom excessively long EnvironmentalStatements (ES) that cover everypossible impact and which areinaccessible to the public and decision

makers. Developers and the EIAconsultation authorities tend to becautious though, and often topics arecovered in more detail than required andmore than the significant effects areoften reported. This precautionarystance stems from a fear on behalf ofdevelopers that further information willbe requested post submission and onbehalf of the authorities that not alleffects can be identified early in theprocess. The new PAN seeks to tacklethis though by advocating earlyconsideration of potential issues andearly engagement with planning

authorities and EIA consultationauthorities through non-statutory pre-application discussions which go beyondthe current EIA Screening and Scopingsteps. Processing Agreements aresuggested as one way to help identify allinformation that will be required and insetting agreed timescales. Identifyingthe key issues quickly and effectivelyshould help to ‘scope out’ issues unlikelyto have significant effects and lead to‘proportionality’ in EIA.

The PAN addresses efficient resourcingsuggesting more integrated approacheswith Habitats Regulations Appraisal(HRA) and Strategic EnvironmentalAssessment (SEA). Duplication can beavoided where HRA is required byensuring the ES provides the necessaryinformation to help the planningauthority make its appropriate

assessment. There is also considerablepotential for strengthening the linksbetween SEA and EIA for example byusing a preceding SEA where availableas a starting point for screening andscoping for EIA and also by providingan opportunity to explore cumulativeeffects at EIA project level drawndown from SEA.

Multi-stage consents are addressed inthe PAN advocating that EIA shouldcontinue to be undertaken at theearliest possible stage before theprincipal decision is made. It alsoprovides guidance on dealing withuncertainly when applying for planningpermission in principle when detailedproposals are not available. By applyingthe principles of an approachcommonly know as the ‘RochdaleEnvelope’ it is possible to undertake anEIA which takes account of the needfor flexibility in the future evolution ofthe detailed project proposal, withinclearly defined parameters.

In summary, the new PAN provides anoverview of the steps to be takenwhen carrying out an EIA but with anemphasis on an effective approach.Proportionality through focusing onthe significant effects is theresponsibility of developers and theiragents, planning authorities and theEIA consultation bodies. It asks thoseinvolved to be a little less risk averse,to engage early in the processes andto report more succinctly. It willrequire courage and clarity from thoseadvising at the outset what an EIAshould cover and confident EIA projectmanagers to identify only thepotential significant impacts early inthe process.

A Call for a more efficientand effective EIAZoë McClelland, Principal Planner and Member of RTPI ScottishExecutive Committee, looks at the Scottish Government’s recentlypublished Planning Advice Note (PAN 1/20a13) on EnvironmentalImpact Assessment.

Identifying the key issues quickly and effectively

should help to ‘scope out’ issues unlikely to have

significant effects and lead to ‘proportionality’ in EIA. ”“

The title of the Regulatory Reform Billmay mean that it doesn’t quite grab theheadlines, however it does contain someimportant issues for planners, planningand the planning system acrossScotland. The Bill contains a ‘penaltyclause’ that will enable ScottishMinisters to alter planning fees for thoseplanning authorities that they considerare not, or have not, performedsatisfactorily. RTPI Scotland ConvenorAlistair MacDonald gave evidence to theScottish Parliament’s Economy, Energyand Tourism (EET) Committee on this inJune on this, pointing out we are of theview that a consistently excellentplanning system can only be deliveredthrough continuous improvement which,amongst other things, involves supportfor poorer performing planningauthorities to learn from those that areperforming well and that, given this, RTPIScotland does not think that theproposal will work.

The EET Committee has recentlypublished its report on this. It haswelcomes the commitment from theMinister for Local Government andPlanning to consider including adefinition of satisfactory performance inthe guidance or in a future statutoryinstrument which will provide necessaryclarity for planning authorities andstakeholders. The Committee outlinedhow it feels that is essential to collectreliable qualitative and quantitative data

to measure planning authorityperformance to understand the reasonsfor delays and to accurately determinewhen there is an undue delay. They alsowelcomed clarification that performancemeasurement will include qualitativemeasures. Given this, the Committee hasrecommended that the ScottishGovernment clarify what measures itwill undertake to improve theperformance of agencies accountable tothe Scottish Government, to avoid anyundue delays in the planning process.

In looking to resources, the Committeehas recommended that Audit Scotlandundertake an analysis of the cost ofprocessing planning applications forplanning authorities to gain anunderstanding of the impact of a lack ofcurrent resources on performance and toassist in measuring unsatisfactoryperformance.

The Committee recognised that a highquality and effective planning serviceshould benefit the economy, businesses,the environment and our communitiesand is the aspiration of both the ScottishGovernment and stakeholders It statedthat some of the witnesses they heardfrom raised concerns that reducing feescould adversely affect the performanceof a planning authority and the rangeof services that it could provide.However, they have also been reassuredby the Minister for Local Governmentand Planning that linking planning fees

to performance, as well asundertaking other measures in the firstinstance, should provide the necessaryincentive and support to improveplanning authority performance andthat the measure to reduce fees will notbe necessary. On this basis, they havesaid that they are content that theBill remains as drafted but recommendthat the Scottish Government monitorperformance and reports back to theCommittee a year after policyimplementation.

The Committee welcomes theagreed performance markers as aqualitative and quantitative method ofassessing the performance of a planningauthority. However, they also noted theconflicting views received from theMinister for Local Government andPlanning and COSLA on the use of theagreed performance markers as the basisof reducing planning authority fees andrecommend that the ScottishGovernment continue to work withCOSLA to resolve this issue and reportback to the Committee, preferablybefore the conclusion of the Bill’sparliamentary passage.

And finally the Committee haswelcomed the Minister’s confirmationthat the Scottish Government wouldprovide assistance to improve theperformance of a planning authoritybefore resources are removed. They do,however, want clarity on the type ofmeasures that it will undertake, and inthe cases where fees are reduced, theproposed level and duration of anyreduction.

At the time of writing ScottishGovernment has not responded to thereport’s recommendations.

The report can be read athttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/68597.aspx#p

Talkin’ About A RegulationNikola Miller, Planning Policy and Practice Officer at RTPI Scotland, discusses the

Scottish Parliament report on the planning clauses of the Regulatory Reform Bill.

09

The Committeerecognised that

a high quality andeffective planningservice shouldbenefit the economy,businesses, theenvironment and ourcommunities...

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www.rtpi.org.uk/scotland10

: ENERGY

With the Energy Bill expected to receiveRoyal Assent later this year, proposals forElectricity Market Reform (EMR), aimedat helping the UK address energysecurity and decarbonisation goals, havereceived much attention. EMR will havea major influence on the futuredevelopment of low carbon and fossilfuel electricity generation in the UK

EMR is a key government policy whichwill completely overhaul the regulatoryenvironment for the UK electricityindustry. With Ofgem predicting around20% of existing electricity generation toclose by the early 2020s and electricitydemand expected to increase over thesame period, the Government hasrecognised the need for action.

EMR will introduce an entirely newincentive framework for renewable andlow carbon generation, comprising fourmain elements:-

1. Carbon price floorEMR will impose carbon taxes on fossilfuels used in the generation of electricity(by way of the climate change levy).This will increase the cost of generatingelectricity using fossil fuels with theexpectation that will encourageinvestment in low carbon technologies.

2. Emissions performancestandard (EPS)The EPS places a cap on the amount ofcarbon dioxide that can be emitted fromnew fossil fuel power stations over50MW. The EPS effectively rules out anynew coal plant being developed in theUK without carbon abatement measuressuch as carbon capture and storage (atechnology which is expensive andunproven).

3. Capacity marketThe transition to low carbon electricity

raises issues in relation to security ofsupply. Low carbon technologies such aswind are intermittent whilst nuclear isinflexible. The capacity market isdesigned to address this risk byencouraging investment in new gasplant, ensuring that the lights will stayon at times of high demand.

Capacity payments will be made toincentivise both generation “demandside response” where large consumers ofelectricity can contract to take a supplyof electricity at times of lower demand.

4. Contracts for difference(CfDs)EMR will phase out the RenewablesObligation (RO), the current keyincentive for low carbon development,by 31 March 2017. The contracts fordifference (CfD) regime come into forceon 1 April 2014. CfDs are targeted atlarge-scale low carbon generation.

A CfD is a long-term (typically 15 yearcontract) entered into between a lowcarbon generator and a body to be setup by Government. CfDs for nuclearprojects are the subject of ongoingdebate due to the significant costsassociated with nuclear.

The CfD creates long term pricecertainty on electricity prices by payinggenerators a top-up payment calculated

by reference to the difference betweenmarket prices and a strike price set byGovernment. The strike price should beset at a level which will make low carbongeneration projects attractive toinvestors.

EMR has been the subject of muchdebate over the past two years. It willbe interesting to watch how this four-pronged approach to electricity reformunfolds over the coming years andwhether it succeeds in its objective ofcreating the conditions required forthe £110bn investment that Ofgemestimates is required in the UK energysector between now and 2020. Bothindustry and government recognise theenormity of the challenges that lieahead, highlighted recently by the LiberalDemocrats dropping their opposition tonuclear power.

Nuclear and offshore wind are likely tobe two of the biggest winners as a resultof EMR. However, even although thefundamental reform of the electricitymarket that will occur as a result ofEMR should result in an increase indevelopment, there are other significantchallenges that need to be addressed,including whether the current planningand consenting regime is able to addressand resolve the issues that arise inrelation to such developments.

Electricity Market ReformDavid Gilchrist is a Partner atDWF Biggart Baillie. In this articlehe discusses the impact thatElectricity Market Reformproposals will have for electricitygeneration in the UK.

© imagecourtesyof DWFBiggartBaillie

11

The Kingdom of Fife has a long-established relationship withenergy production with a major coal mining legacy as well asbeing the location of Scotland’s largest power station atLongannet.

The energy sector continues to be important to Fife and itseconomy, embracing changing circumstances and emergingnew technologies. The Scottish Government enshrineddevelopment of renewable energy in national policy, and theenergy sector is recognised as a key growth area that canassist in delivering sustainable economic growth. Fife is thefirst Scottish Local Authority to develop its own RenewableEnergy Routemap, setting out a positive vision and identifyinghow Fife is contributing to meeting national targets.

The Council has also produced a suite of planning policy andguidance documents supporting the development of energyprojects in the region. This includes specific guidance on windenergy development, other renewable technologies,microgeneration and community benefits. The council is on itsthird iteration of itsWind Energy Supplementary Guidance,approved in June 2013, providing up to date guidance, policiesand areas of search. The document aims to strike the balancebetween positively accommodating development whilstrecognising the limitations in Fife’s environment capacity andaddressing cumulative impacts. Fife Council’s SustainabilityChecklist encourages energy efficient developments thatenable renewable energy generation.

The Council is supportive of a broad range of energytechnologies being developed, including the establishment ofdistrict heating. Fife is one of three authorities in Scotland tohave produced a heat map identifying areas of heat demandand supply, used to assist energy generation projects to comeforward with encouraging outcomes.A district heat network isoperating in Dunfermline utilising methane gas from a nearbylandfill site. Proposed expansion of the Dunfermline networkfuelled by anaerobic digestion aims to heat the local hospitaland council owned properties. Project viability for otherdistrict heat networks are actively being explored for othersettlements in Fife.

Major biomass power stations have been developed at theTullis Russell and Diageo plants reducing the carbon emissionsof those companies and assisting them in mitigating risingenergy costs. Further biomass plants are proposed at theQuaker Oats facility and at Rosyth docks. Fife has seen theapproval of 100 wind turbine developments over the last 5years. Larger schemes include a 21MW windfarm at Little

Raith with a second 20MW windfarm approved at Earlseat. A10MW wind farm is operational atWestfield.

Beyond a planning remit Fife is supporting the energy sectorin its Economic Strategy. Fife aspires to be the centre ofexcellence for the renewables industry in Scotland, and inparticular the offshore wind sector. Being within 25 nauticalmiles from the closest of the proposed wind arrays in theNorth Sea Fife is well-positioned to take advantage of theemerging opportunities. The area is already home to a wealthof companies with expertise across the energy sectorincluding offshore engineering and installation experts BriggsMarine in Burntisland, marine environmental consultantsSMRU Ltd in St Andrews and Burntisland Fabrications (BiFab),based at the Energy Park Fife. The Hydrogen Office at Methil issupporting the accelerated development of hydrogen, fuel celland energy storage industries in Scotland facilitating R&D andenhancing educational opportunities. The recently completedFife Renewables Innovation Centre provides low carbonwork/innovation space and is designed to enable technologyand knowledge transfer. Samsung Heavy Industries haverecently established their UK offshore wind HQ at the EnergyPark where they are developing the model for their offshorewind turbine. The project involves the installation and testingof a 7MW offshore wind turbine at Energy Park Fife over thenext five years. Employment land is also being serviced forsupply chain, manufacturing, engineering and R&D purposesat various locations across Fife to support the sector further.

Fife is actively embracing the energy sector and it is likely toform a key part in delivering sustainable economic growth forthe locality in the foreseeable future.

Michael Westwater, Planner within Fife Council’s Development Plan team discusses Fife’saspirations to become the centre of excellence for the renewables industry in Scotland and Fifes’energy planning strategy, with contributions from Barbara Whiting, Invest in Fife RenewablesTeam, and Shona Cargil, Fife Sustainability Team.

Planning for Energy in Fife

©image courtesy of Fife Council

OCTOBER 2013 Scottishplanner : ENERGY

www.rtpi.org.uk/scotland12

© images courtesy of Gillian Black

Drilling Down intoUnconventional Gas

Whilst the rapid development ofunconventional oil and gas resources inNorth America, notably shale gas, hastransformed the world gas-marketoutlook, the uptake has not beenreplicated here. Many consider that shaleoil production was actually pioneered inScotland in 1850 but the golden era forScottish shale oil companies endedwith the import of cheap crude oil.Predictions suggest that by 2020 wewill again be relying on imports, withestimates for natural gas at over 90%.It is not expected that unconventionalgas development will ever be on thesame scale as North America butcoupled with rising prices of oil and gasand economically viable reserves, it isbecoming a potential attractive sourceof energy.

Development of an unconventional gasfield usually involves drilling a series ofboreholes from a well site vertically thenhorizontally, to draw gas from a widearea. Surface area development is oftenrestricted to wellhead and associatedinfrastructure with the distributionnetwork, treatment or pressurisationprocess. A wide variety of extractiontechniques are used - coal bed methaneinvolves de-pressurising coal seams,usually by de-watering, to releasemethane gas without any furtherextraction processes whereas as shalegas, which is found in deeper formations,often involves hydraulic fracturing or“fracking” by injecting fluids underpressure into the host rock and therebyreleasing the methane gas. Controversyassociated with extraction includes thepotential for leaked or irregular releasesof gases from wells (fugitive emissions)which contribute to climate change butit is almost exclusively aimed at fracking,

with claims that it causes earth tremorsand groundwater contamination.

The overall extraction and productionprocess takes a number of years,commencing with site identification,exploration and commercial appraisal;followed by initial and then fulldevelopment and production; endingwith abandonment by sealing the wellby “plugging” and restoration. Manystages involve development and requireplanning permission but, in addition, ahost of other consents are requiredincluding a petroleum exploration anddevelopment licence (PEDL) from DECCand authorisation from SEPA (such as aCAR Licence and possibly a PPC permit).

To date, there has been no fulldevelopment and production ofunconventional gas in Scotland.However, the Directorate for Planningand Environmental Appeals currentlyhave a non-determination appealregarding full field development andproduction of coal bed methane beforethem and it is likely that other planningauthorities may soon face applications.

A developer will likely only proceed toplanning if it holds a PEDL. Explorationand appraisal is likely to be the initialfocus of development activity withproduction, processing and transmissioninfrastructure probably requiring afurther application later. Developmentphases and extraction techniques shouldtherefore be the focus of any pre-application discussions. In some cases,EIA is mandatory so applications shouldbe screened and a waste managementplan submitted if fracking is involved. Itis also likely that applications will extendacross planning authority boundaries, socollaborative working ought to be

encouraged to provide a consistentapproach.

In policy terms, The ScottishGovernment’s Draft ElectricityGeneration Policy Statement supports adiverse and balanced energy portfolio,including 2.5 GW of thermal generatedbase load power. This was echoedthrough NPF3 MIR and the draft ScottishPlanning Policy, stated that there “areemerging opportunities to utilise ouronshore reserves of ‘unconventional’ gas,such as shale gas and coal bed methane,in ways which are compatible with theprotection of the environment.” It isunlikely that a planning authority inScotland will have a specificdevelopment plan policy and may wellturn to existing sections on minerals.

The focus of determination ought to beclearly on the associated land useimpacts of the development phase inquestion. Whilst there is no definitivelist of what is a material consideration,certain types of issue have been held bythe courts not to be and should beignored.

Akin to all energy source developments,unconventional gas exploration isinvoking passionate and polarised views.The debate highlights challenges in bothpolicy and public perception in terms ofreconciling Scotland’s green energycredentials with fossil fuels. There willobviously need to be wide public andstakeholder engagement, based on arobust evidence base, if unconventionalgas is to have successful growthprospects.Whilst Scotland has a strongregulatory framework, new processesand unconventional technologiesinevitably will test it together withnational and local planning policy.

Sarah Baillie is a Senior Associate in the Planning & Environment team atAnderson Strathern LLP. She practices as a planning lawyer but is also aqualified planner and chartered member of the RTPI. In this article shediscusses unconventional gas development in Scotland.

13

Aberdeen Heat and Power, a companyset up by Aberdeen City Council todeliver affordable, low carbon heat tocouncil tenants and other properties,celebrated its 10th birthday recently.Since 2002, three Combined Heat &Power (CHP) schemes have beendeveloped, providing heating to 1600flats in multi storey blocks and 9 publicbuildings. CHP was developed in thesemulti storey blocks as they wereidentified as “hard to heat”, with manyhouseholders in fuel poverty (spendingmore than 10% of their income on fuel).Carbon emissions from these buildingshave reduced by 45% and typical fuelcosts to tenants have been reduced by50% over the previous heating systems.

CHP is designed to be an efficient, cost-effective, low-carbon technology whichcan provide heat at an affordable price.The technology has an efficiency rate ofaround 85%, in contrast to conventionalpower stations which operate at only35-40% efficiency. CHP significantlyreduces the use of fossil fuels andreduces CO2 emissions.

Recently, Aberdeen City Councilapproved the proposal for AberdeenHeat and Power to establish a separatetrading company to allow non-Councilproperties to be connected into thecombined heat and power (CHP) district

heating schemes in the city. Thesubsidiary company is being set up withthe intention that any profits madefrom the commercial arm will be usedto keep heating payments affordable forsocial tenants and/or used to fundfurther infrastructure.

Because of this, the Council wanted toencourage developers to considerdecentralised energy systems early inthe development process in order tocontinue to expand the decentralisedheating network. Therefore a heatmapping tool was developed using aGeographical Information System (GIS)for Aberdeen City which identifies areaswith potential for decentralised heatgeneration.

The development of the GIS toolinvolved identifying and mapping thedemands for heating, cooling and power,of buildings and different localitieswithin the City, and initial identificationof priority areas for further analysis.This was undertaken by consultantsfrom Halcrow Ltd and part fundedthrough a European project - North SeaSustainable Energy Planning (North Sea- SEP) which focused on the specificproblems municipalities and countiesface in the field of renewable energyand energy efficiency. For furtherinformation go to:http://www.northseasep.eu/.

However it was limited to mappingCouncil properties and businesses. It isintended that this will be expanded Citywide with the help of the ScottishGovernment, who is currentlyundertaking a Scotland wide heatmapping exercise, due early 2014.

To help embed this concept further,Energy Mapping is being highlightedas part of the Local Development PlanMain Issues Report which will beconsulted on in the coming months. It isour intention that the energy map will

be included in the Local DevelopmentPlan in supplementary guidance, settingout that major development must giveconsideration to linking into the energynetwork with exceptions only acceptedwhere it is demonstrated that links arenot feasible.

The use of heat or energy networks canreduce emissions, improve fuel securityand offer economic opportunities.Energy mapping is valuable inpromoting the creation of linkagesbetween waste heat, high heat demandand new development areas. It identifiesanchor heat loads, existing networks,areas in fuel poverty, areas of high heatdemand and areas of waste energy.With a complete map of sources andhigh demand users, developers andcompanies can plan development tohelp expand the network of locallygenerated, low carbon energy forAberdeen City.

Amy Smith is a Sustainable Development Officer at Aberdeen City Council. In thisarticle she discusses recent developments of district heating systems in Aberdeen.

Planning's Role in Supporting theDevelopment of District Heating Systems

© image courtesy Norman Adams –Aberdeen City Council

© image courtesy Norman Adams –Aberdeen City Council

CHP is designed tobe an efficient, cost-effective, low-carbontechnology which canprovide heat at anaffordable price.

“

”



: ENERGY

The race to harness the vast renewableenergy resource located off Scotland’scoastline is underway. Scotland is spoiltwith wind, wave and tidal powerpotential and the ability to takeadvantage of these resources willundoubtedly play a major role in shapingand influencing the future success ofthe nation.

To take advantage of the great potentialwithin Scottish territorial waters, a hugeamount of new land-based infrastructurewill also be required. Ports infrastructurewill need to be significantly upgradedwhilst onshore substations for offshorewind farms, wave and tidal arrays will allbe required. New and upgradedelectricity transmission lines both aboveand underground may also be required.

The need to deliver this infrastructureplaces the Scottish planning systemand planners at the forefront of thisrenewables race. Planners in the publicsector, Key Agencies and ScottishGovernment will be required to engagewith a wide range of proposals eitherdirectly or indirectly related to theinfrastructure which will unlock therenewable energy potential off ourcoastline with the expectation that thesystem is ready to deal with theseproposals effectively and appropriately.

For the planning system this raises anumber of challenges. The system mustbe fully engaged and responsive to theseinfrastructure requirements, whilst at thesame time attempting to guidedevelopment to the most appropriatelocations. This in itself will representsomething of a challenge given the longtimescales and potentially shifting andevolving needs associated with someof the largest offshore projects. Theplanning system also needs to maintainactive engagement with the offshorerenewables industry to ensure that it is

responsive to its needs. At the sametime, legislation must be joined up suchthat onshore infrastructure can beconsented alongside or indeed inadvance of offshore projects. The Growthand Infrastructure Act 2013 hasaddressed some of these issues. Whilstattempting to guide development toappropriate places, it will also benecessary to balance needs against therelatively inflexible siting choices forinfrastructure such as new electricitysubstations, overhead lines and otherinfrastructure improvements. The fixednature of the best tidal resources forexample means that the nearestshorelines are likely to be the preferredlocation for new infrastructure and someof these locations are in the moreprotected parts of Scotland such as theWestern Isles and the Moray Firth. Theplanning system and Key Agencies mustcontinue to liaise closely with therenewables industry to identify potentialconflict in early course and provideappropriate resources such that thesenationally important developments canbe considered. The test in a decade or sowhen we look back at this crucial periodfor the offshore renewables industry willbe whether the Scottish planning systemhelped or hindered the unlocking of thehigh quality, modern and sensitivelysited infrastructure that is need tocapitalise on the vast offshore renewableenergy potential that we are sofortunate to have in Scotland.

Planners at all levels will be expected toengage positively with developers andtheir consultees. At the same time,much of the infrastructure required suchas onshore substations and newelectricity transmission lines is by itsvery nature industrial in appearance andunlikely to win any beauty contest! Thechallenge for public and private sectorplanners is to find a way to deliver this

infrastructure in the locations requiredwhilst at the same time reducing visualand environmental impacts. The abilityto communicate effectively with thepublic, clearly stating the need for theinfrastructure, its benefits and at thesame time remaining as responsive aspossible to the needs and wishes of localcommunities will be a significantchallenge for the planning profession.This is an area where the private sectormay increasingly need to step up to theplate, ensuring that communication is anintegral part of development strategies,also considering innovative designapproaches that minimise impacts whilststill achieving the technical requirementsof the infrastructure in question. Toooften in the past large infrastructureprojects have taken an inordinate timeto be delivered as developers, localcommunities and other stakeholdersonly identify the middle ground andcompromise after many years of intense,heated debate. Perhaps this is a role forthe strategic planning guidance ofNPF3?

More open and transparent engagementbetween the private sector, localcommunities and other stakeholdersfacilitated and overseen as appropriateby planners may be one way of ensuringthe delivery of the extensive newinfrastructure in the timescales requiredwhich will unlock Scotland’s hugeoffshore energy potential.

Chris Collins, Development Project Manager at RES, looks at thevast opportunity of offshore renewables for Scotland.

Unlocking Scotland’s Offshore RenewableEnergy Potential

© image courtesy of Chris Collins

15

NEWS

© imagecourtesy ofImprovementService.

SP=EED VERIFICATION

SP=EED (Successful Planning = EffectiveEngagement and Delivery) is Planning AidScotland’s free practical guide to effectiveengagement in planning. SP=EED ismentioned in the Scottish Government’sPlanning Advice Note (PAN) 3/2010 and is avaluable framework for understanding,preparing, delivering and assessingengagement in planning. It assists goodpractice and raises standards in engagement.

Over the coming months, PAS will be takingforward a new SP=EED ‘Verificationprogramme’. This will verify an individual’shigh level of professional competence in theprocess of engagement in planning, and:

• give public assurance that engagement isbeing done to an appropriate level and tothe highest standard;

• allow individuals to develop a greaterunderstanding of SP=EED and its practicalapplication; and

• allow individuals to have their engagementmethods verified by independent planningprofessionals.

SP=EEDVerification will be a two stageprocess, starting with individuals completinga one-day CPD programme, followed by anapplication/interview process todemonstrate a thorough understanding ofSP=EED, its principles and its practicalapplication. To find out more, contact JuliaFrost at [email protected].

ADVICE SERVICE VOLUNTEERS

We are on a recruitment drive for moreMRTPI-qualified planners to volunteer forthe Advice Service, which deals withhundreds of enquiries annually frommembers of the public and communitygroups. Advice Service volunteering is avaluable way to gain additional CPD, newperspectives, and use professional skills to‘give something back’. Many of our advicevolunteers spend just an hour or two eachmonth helping clients and find that it fits

easily into their busy schedules - contactRobert Pickles to find out more,[email protected].

NEW WEBSITE & INFORMATION SHEETS

As of the start of October, PAS has a newwebsite which will make it easier formembers of the public, community groupsand local authorities to find the informationthey need on our advice, training and otherservices. The new site will provide real-timeupdates on PAS projects and events.Visit thenew website:www.planningaidscotland.org.uk.

A new set of updated and consolidatedinformation sheets on the planning systemhave been published on the new website, inparticular a new information sheet formembers of the public – ‘Rights andChallenges’ - a basic guide to the avenuesavailable to anyone who does not agree witha planning decision.

PLANNINGAID SCOTLAND UPDATE

We are looking for enthusiastic, committed people tobecome Trustees of the Jim Boyack Memorial Trust.This will give you the opportunity to broaden yourexpertise and skills and to help planners of the future.It will also bring the Trust closer to younger membersof the profession and for its future to be consolidatedand secured.

The Trust was established in memory of Jim Boyack,Senior Vice-Convener of the Scottish Branch of theRoyal Town Planning Institute, who died on 31stAugust 1990. The purpose of the Trust is to make anannual award to students undertaking or extendingtheir studies in Scotland of Town and CountryPlanning. The Royal Town Planning Institute Scotlandsupports the Trust as a part of its effort in theeducation of professional planners. Since its inception20 awards have been made. For the past 4 years theannual award has been £1,500.

The Trust currently meets three times each yearin Edinburgh:

• The spring meeting (February - March) is usuallyshort and has focussed on fund raising andinvestment strategy when accumulated funds allow.

• A mid-year meeting (June - August) the Trusteesdecide the scale of the annual bursary/award, thenature of how that would be publicised, closing dateetc. – so appropriate distribution of applications canbe made.

The winter meeting (November - December) is alsothe AGM. The meeting deals with the appointmentof office bearers, consideration of annual report andfinancial statement, and importantly, the selection ofthe beneficiary of the award.

A Chance to SupportPlanners of the Future!

If you want to discuss this please contactAlan Russell, Convenor of the Trust, on [email protected]



: NEWS

In Parliament on 4 September 2013, Derek Mackay MSP,Minister for Local Government and Planning, announced arevision to the timetable for the publication of the finalisedScottish Planning Policy. The publication date will now bealigned with that of the finalised National Planning Framework3, which remains on track for publication in June 2014. In themeantime, written responses to both documents have beenpublished online with the analysis of responses to be publishedshortly.

The Scottish Government published the latest guidance onStrategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) on 30 August. Thisnew guidance replaces the original SEA Toolkit and has beenprepared collaboratively with the support of SEA Practitionersand the Consultation Authorities. It offers practitioners, andthose preparing public plans, advice on undertaking an SEA,while covering other practical points such as achievingproportionality, selling the values of the assessment process toothers and considering what is good practice. It is available onthe Scottish Government website at:www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2013/08/3355

A research team will shortly be appointed to carry out theScottish Government’s review of Strategic Development Plans(SDPs). The study flows from a Ministerial commitment inPlanning Reform: Next Steps (March 2012) to ensure thatcurrent arrangements and approaches are fit for purpose.Ministers are keen to establish whether the new plans aremeeting their aspirations for SDPs, in particular that they areconcise, visionary documents that set clear parameters forsubsequent Local Development Plans and inform decisionsabout strategic infrastructure investment, as set out in Circular1/2009. The study, which will gather views from a wide rangeof parties both preparing and using the plans, is expected toconclude around February 2014.

PlacemakingWith the publication of Creating Places, and the publicconsultations on the National Planning Framework 3 MainIssues Report and draft Scottish Planning Policy, there has beena focus on placemaking and its interaction with the planningsystem. The following contains updates on three specificprojects putting policy into practice.

Polnoon – a new neighbourhoodPolnoon was created to champion good design. The projectwas about designing a residential development that was

inspiring and raised standards - by challenging people to thinkabout street layout and architecture. On 18 September, DerekMackay MSP, Minister for Local Government and Planning,attended the opening of the first phase of the development.For more details contact Susie Stirling (E:[email protected]). Further Information on thePolnoon project can be found at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/AandP/Projects/Polnoon.

Charrette updateThe Minister also announced on 16 August the availability ofgrant funding from the Scottish Government for carrying outdesign charrettes in support of the creation of LocalDevelopment Plans (LDPs). This is an extension to the SSCICharrette Mainstreaming Programme which makes grantfunding available to planning authorities for design charrettesto take place before the end of March 2014 which support thepreparation of LDPs.

The charrette projects may be undertaken at any suitablestage in the development of the LDP, but there needs to be astrong benefit from the use of charrette-style working. Theproject proposer will be responsible for selecting andappointing a specialist design team to devise and deliver thecharrette. The maximum grant awarded will be for 50% of thecost of the professional services required for the project. Themaximum grant awarded to any one project is expected to bein the order of £15,000-£20,000. Proposals will be consideredon a ‘first come first served’ basis. Total funding available is£100,000. Further details of the scheme can be obtained fromJim Mitchell (T: 0131 244 7476 E:[email protected]).

Next steps to better street designAs well as for urban travel, streets are the main public placeswhere people interact and streets can help achieve a positiveidentity for a place. To shift the emphasis towards people andaway from the dominance of motor vehicles, Designing Streetswas launched in 2010 as the Scottish Government’s first policydocument for street design.

But feedback was suggesting fewer than expected examples ofnew places with high quality new streets and that outdatedroads design approaches persisted. So the ScottishGovernment appointed Anderson Bell Christie last Novemberas researchers to move beyond anecdotal evidence on to how

ScottishGovernmentUpdate

17

© image courtesy of Smith Scott Mullin Associates

the policy was being implemented. Beginning with a‘healthcheck’ of local guidance, they carried outquestionnaires and interviews with local authority planners,engineers and developers to evaluate the current picture ofDesigning Streets.

The research has come up with recommendations that cover:improving local and national guidance; defining a simplerprocess to align consents; and refining a method to helpreach agreement on whether a proposal meets the sixqualities of successful placemaking. An analysis ‘tool’ hasbeen tested by applying it on case studies that illustrate goodpractice in street design.

Acting on the research will involve many who design, developor make decisions that affect streets, so next steps arepractical actions to promote better processes and widen goodpractice across professional or organisational boundaries. Itmust become better understood that streets should not beabout applying one design solution, such as shared surfaces.Instead, good streets integrate many design aspects to makewelcoming neighbourhoods that are well-connected, havedistinct character, are safe and are pleasant places.

The research report was published in August and follow-onwork is underway that includes the Society of Chief Officersof Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS), Transport Scotland,Construction Scotland and local authorities. If you want toget involved in helping to create higher quality streets inScotland, have a question, or want more details, pleasecontact StuartWatson on 0131 244 7077, or email:[email protected].

OPPORTUNITIESTO HELP SHAPETHE FUTURE BUILTENVIRONMENT OFSCOTLANDThe Scottish Government is looking for

individuals from diverse backgrounds who

have business or project delivery skills and

would like to help shape the future built

environment of Scotland.

Architecture and Design Scotland, the nationalchampion for good architecture, design,placemaking and planning in the builtenvironment, requires two new Board memberscommitted to driving forward the development ofthe organisation.

The Board has a crucial role in determining thestrategies, policies and priorities of the body andin overseeing the work of the management team.Scottish Ministers would like to ensure that theBoard carries broad geographical representationand a range of backgrounds and experience.Applications from groups currently under-represented on Scotland’s public bodies, such aswomen, disabled people, and people aged under50, are particularly welcomed. A professionalqualification is not essential.

Architecture and Design Scotland is a public bodyaccountable to Scottish Minsters and funded bythe Scottish Government. Further information isavailable at www.ads.org.uk. An application packand full details of the appointment can be foundat the Scottish Government public appointmentswebsite from 18 October: www.appointed-for-scotland.org. The closing date for applications is15 November.


Policy briefing

�

PUBLICATIONS

CONSULTATIONS

8 May 2013 and 31 July 2013 on a HistoricEnvironment Strategy for Scotland and theMerger of Historic Scotland and the RoyalCommission on the Ancient and HistoricalMonuments of Scotland (RCAHMS). Responsesfrom individuals and organisations have beenpublished where we have been givenpermission to do so. (04/09/13

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTPUBLICATIONS

� SB 13-61 Draft Budget 2014-15: LocalGovernment 20 September 2013This briefing summarises the LocalGovernment settlement in Draft Budget 2014-15, with a focus on the Local Government andRegeneration Committee’s stated remit for itsscrutiny of the Draft Budget.

� SB 13-58 Draft Scottish Budget 2014-1513 September 2013

� SB 13-57 Scottish IndependenceReferendum Bill11 September 2013

The Scottish Independence Referendum Bill isthe second piece of legislation introduced bythe Scottish Government in relation to thereferendum on Scottish independence to beheld on 18 September 2014.

Details of Scottish Government publications andconsultations are reproduced courtesy of CrownCopyright.

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENTPUBLICATIONS� Low Carbon Behaviours Framework -Key Behaviour AreasThis report brings together data on theuptake of the Scottish Government's 10 keylow carbon behaviour areas. It covers housing,transport, food and waste. (04/10/13)

� The Potential of Existing Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Surveys toSupport the Commonwealth Games 2014Legacy Evaluation The review focusses ondata sources not already in use in theevaluation (eg in the baseline report or onthe Assessing Legacy website) that couldshed insight into the extent to whichScotland’s games legacy ambitions are metover time, especially in the areas of sportsparticipation; volunteering; culturalengagement and civic pride. (27/09/13)

� Current state of knowledge of effects ofoffshore renewable energy generationdevices on marine mammals and researchrequirementsThe report describes the current state ofknowledge of effects of offshore renewableenergy devices on marine mammals and thenidentifies a prioritised list of research gaps.(25/09/13)

� Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill - analysisof consultation responsesThe consultation paper ‘Making JusticeWork:Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill’ set outproposals and reforms and invited views onproposals to restructure the way civil casesand summary criminal cases are dealt withby the courts in Scotland. It included a draftCourts Reform (Scotland) Bill. This papersummarises the responses to theconsultation. (13/09/13)

� Scottish Budget Draft Budget 2014-15Scottish Government's spending plans for2014-15 and indicative spending plans for2015-16. (11/09/13)

� Scotland's Carbon Footprint 1998 –2010 This publication provides estimates ofScotland’s greenhouse gas emissions on aconsumption basis; that is emissions that areassociated with the spending of Scottishresidents on goods and services, wherever inthe world these emissions arise together withemissions directly generated by Scottishhouseholds. (05/09/13)

� Consultation Responses for a JointConsultation on a Historic EnvironmentStrategy for Scotland and the Merger ofHistoric Scotland and the RoyalCommission on the Ancient and HistoricalMonuments of Scotland (RCAHMS)The Scottish Government consulted between

CONSULTATIONS FROMTHESCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

� Sectoral Marine Plans for OffshoreWind,Wave and Tidal EnergyThe Scottish Government has implementeda system of Sectoral Marine Planning forOffshore Renewable Energy. The Draft Plansidentify options for offshore wind, wave andtidal energy developments. Deadline: 13November 2013

� Consultation on Priority MarineFeatures The National Marine Planproposes that Priority Marine Featuresshould be specifically taken into account infuture planning and decision making. Therecommended list of PMFs represents 80habitats and species of marine conservationimportance which should be betterprotected. Deadline: 13 November 2013

� National Marine Plan (NMP)consultation

The National Marine Plan (NMP) will introducestatutory marine planning in Scottish watersout to 200 nautical miles. It will provideintegrated management of marine resourcesensuring they are managed sustainably for thelong term. The NMP will set out marineplanning policies for key marine industries andactivities (renewable energy, fishing,aquaculture, recreation/tourism, shipping, oiland gas and CCS) supporting their economicgrowth while ensuring growth occurs inbalance with the protection of natural andhistoric heritage. Deadline: 13 November

� Draft Planning Circular: The relationshipbetween the statutory land use planningsystem and marine planning and licensing

This circular explains the relationship betweenthe terrestrial and marine planning systems,including related regimes such as marinelicensing and consenting for offshore energygeneration, ports and harbours developmentand aqauculture. Deadline: 13 November 2013

� Nature Conservation Marine ProtectedAreas in Scotland's SeasViews are sought on the possible MarineProtected Areas (MPAs)presented in thisconsultation. Deadline: 14 November 2013

� Implementation of the Land Registrationetc. (Scotland) Act 2012

Scottish Ministers are going out to consultationon the rules they will make to bring in the LandRegistration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012. This Actwill provide more certainty to the process oflegally recording who owns what property inScotland. Registers of Scotland, the governmentdepartment charged with delivering land andproperty registration for the people of Scotland,is encouraging all with an interest in thisspecialist area of law to participate in theconsultation. Deadline: 9 December 2013

OTHER CONSULTATIONS� Inquiry on Lobbying – call for evidenceThe Scottish Parliament Standards, Proceduresand Public Appointments Committee hasagreed to conduct an inquiry into lobbying,examining whether there is a problem, actual orperceived, with lobbying and, if so, how this canmost effectively be addressed. Deadline: 10January 2014

Current consultations to which the Institute may wish to respond are listed below.They can also be viewed on the Scottish Government website athttp://www.scotland.gov.uk/Consultations/Current

We are keen to receive comments frommembers on these. Please send any comments toNikola Miller, RTPI Scotland’s Planning Policy and Practice Officer at [email protected]


19

OnTop oftheWorld

The RTPI Scotland team pulled out all the stops for the RTPIPresident’s recent visit to Scotland, with the help of FifeCouncil, taking the President to the top of the Forth RailBridge for panoramic views across Fife and Edinburgh, aprivilege very few people have ever had.

We resisted the urge for a collective singsong of theCarpenters hit song, but only just!

PlanningNursery

You’re never too early to think about a career in planning!It has come to the attention of the IC team that the formerRTPI Scotland office on Melville Street is now the UK’s Nurseryof theYear 2013. With all the history steeped in that office,could it be an extra early start for young planners’ education inEdinburgh?

What’s next, reading Development Plans as bedtime stories?

IMMATERIAL CONSIDERATIONS

POLICY

In the last few months the following policy papers have beenpublished:

• Consultation on review of Local Air Quality Management inScotland – Submission by RTPI Scotland to the ScottishGovernment on its consultation paper

• Scottish Climate Change Adaptation Programme –Submission by RTPI Scotland to Scottish Government on itsconsultation paper

• Scrutiny of Draft Budget 2014-2015 –Written evidence byRTPI Scotland to the Scottish Parliament's LocalGovernment and Regeneration Committee

All can be read at www.rtpi.org.uk/scotland

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

Recent blogs include:

• Can Planning Deliver the HomesWeWant in the PlacesWeWant? JohnWalls discusses a RTPI fringe event at theLiberal Democrats Conference

• Planning in Tayside: A Culture for Creativity Lorna outlinesher thoughts following an event on Dundee's V+A, City ofCulture Bid and Creative Scotland

• What is the Future for Our Town Centres andWhat Role canPlanners have in Making it a Positive One? Catherine Elliotoutlines her thoughts

• AWorld-class Planning System Can Help Achieve NationalAspirations Alistair MacDonald writes in The Herald

• Making the Most of Opportunities NickWright outlineswhat he has got out of representing RTPI Scotland on theTown Centres Advisory Group

You can read these at http://rtpiscotland.wordpress.com

You can follow RTPI Scotland staff on Twitter: Craig McLaren on@RTPIScotland and Nikola Miller on @NikolaMiller

UPCOMING EVENTS

The RTPI Scottish Young Planners’ Network is holding aScottish Career Development Event on 31st October,supported by Scottish Government, bringing all youngplanners in the first ten years of their career, includingstudents, graduates, licentiates, and full members together todiscuss what employers look for, tips on CVs and how theRTPI can help you. We’re delighted that Derek Mackay,Minister for Local Government and Planning is supportingthis event, and will speak to delegates at the beginning of theafternoon, setting the tone for a motivational eventsupporting young planners in their career development.Places are FREE but must be booked in advance –see link for more details and to book -https://rtpiscottishcareerdevelopmentevent.eventbrite.co.uk

RTPI SCOTLAND UPDATE

ConsultantsRPSP L A N N I N G & E N V I R O N M E N T

Scottishplanner Directory

DistributionEach edition reaches:• almost 2200 RTPI Members across Scotland; and

• 300+ organisations/individuals across Scotlandincluding universities, local authorities, centralgovernment,MSPs, organisations working in thebuilt and natural environments, professionalbodies, national and professional press/media.

Scottishplanner is also available in an electronicversion, which includes the advertisers, on ourpublic web-pages – the Scottishplanner web-pageaverages 350+ hits per month.

OCTOBER 2013 : Scottishplanner Directory

Size of advert:Single Entry (Size 45 x 25mm)Mono: £145 +VATColour: £200 +VAT

Double Entry (Size 45 x 52mmor 90mm by 26mm)Mono: £250 +VATColour: £325 +VAT

Advertise hereCONTACT THINKTASTIC ON 0131 202 1669

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE ON:

• Development Plan Representations

• Masterplans

• Environmental Impact Assessments

• Landscape Design

• Planning Applications

• Planning Appeals

Contact Alan Pollock on0131 555 5011Ocean Point One, 4th floor94 Ocean Drive Edinburgh, EH6 [email protected]

Advertising Ratesfor a year

Contacts:Baxter Allan & Gordon MacCallum

160 West Regent Street • Glasgow • G2 4RLTel: 0141 204 0066 • Fax: 0141 226 4571

Glasgow Edinburgh Perth Inverness Aberdeen Belfast

www.keppiedesign.co.uk [email protected]

KeppiePlanning&Development

Hargest Planning LtdAdvising Public and Private Sectors

Planning Applications & AppealsTown Centres & Retail Planning

Environmental Assessment

Keith HargestMRTPI MRICS MIHT

0131 443 881307977 982357

[email protected]

www.peterbrett.com

Issue 155 - Royal Town Planning Institute

Documents

Transcript of Issue 155 - Royal Town Planning Institute