Urban Planning Exam Flashcards
What is the planning system?
- Determines future developments. controls the way in which Scotland’s land is used and to determine what developments need to be built/removed. Also considers developments effect on the environment.
- The system balances competing demands to make sure that land is used and developed in the public’s long-term interest.
- Example: All countries have their own planning system and in Scotland the people are very involved however in China the planning system discourages public opinion and decisions are mainly state controlled. This also increases public investors because something state controlled is more reassuring and unlikely to fail.
Why is the planning system important?
- The way land is used are essential to help the economy grow and meet the need for homes, jobs, shops, leisure and mobility.
- The system follows the NPF aims and the governments long-term environmental goals and so it promotes sustainable growth, community satisfaction and more.
- The system aims to encourage positive change while protecting historic buildings and considering environmental impact of developments.
What are limitations to the planning system?
- Expensive: The planning system as a whole is rather expensive due to the range of different components incorporated into it such as the collection, analysis and evaluation of different information.
- Time consuming: A lot of steps! A 2 month wait for local and 4 month for national must be waited to see if anyone appeals against the plan. Case offer must finally evaluate if the development can go ahead or not.
- Not suitable during emergency or crisis when quick decisions are needed to be made.
What is NPF’s role in development management?
- NPF stands for national planning framework.
- They set out long-term vision for development across Scotland over the next 20-30 years to promote national sustainable development.
Their aims are: (They are statutory)
- Successful Sustainable place
- Low carbon place
- Natural resilient place
- Connected place
What is SDP’s role in development management?
- SDP stands for strategic development plans.
- They are responsible for setting plans for the 4 large cities of Scotland. They focus on spatial strategies to support growing populations.
- SDP’s gotta be up to date as they set the context for LDP to follow along in their own plans.
- SDP uses the use the government center for housing market analysis (GCMHA) to look at housing demand in large regions.
- Example: If Glasgow’s SDP state a lack in housing the local councils must implement in this in their LDP on the next review.
What is LDP’s role in development management and their review process?
- LDP: Local Development Plan
- Used by each council and refers to the legislation set by the Scottish government and follows the NPF aims.
- LDP is where councils write development plans and use of land for the local community.
- 32 councils all over Scotland that handle planning in their surrounding area. (One such council is in Dunbartonshire).
- LDP’s are reviewed every 5 years
- LDP’s follow the governments statutory rules while taking into account SPP’s policies and having an understanding of SDP’s plan in their review process.
- Example: For instance sudden increase in population may ask for more residential homes to be built and so the local planning authorities consider this.
What is SPP’s role in development management?
SPP: Scottish Planning Policy (Policies are recommended)
- SSP is guidelines created by the Scottish government but its not been approved by parliament. So they are just recommendations.
- SPP will overturn decision if a development doesn’t follow the development plan properly.
- If Aaron wants to build a cinema in the river then the SPP must step in as there is no guidance.
- If the development is over 5 years old the SPP will quickly contact the particular council.
What is the Scottish governments role in development management?
- The leaders of the coordination of planning all over Scotland.
- Maintaining and developing planning legislation
- Preparing and monitoring the delivery of the NPF
- Providing advice to councils
What are the main parts to the planning system?
- Development Plans: Set out how places should change and also set out the policies used to make decisions about planning applications.
- Development Management: The process for making decisions about planning applications.
- Enforcement: The process that makes sure that development is carried out correctly and takes action when development happens without permission or when conditions have not been followed.
What is the LDP review process?
Monitoring statement → (Assessment of current LDP + any influencing factors)
Main issues report → (Starting point for new LDP, main consultation stage)
Proposed plan → (First draft LDP)
Examination → (Examined by government officials)
Adoption → (Finalized LDP)
When must you apply for planning permission?
- Planning permissions is needed when wanting to build something new and make major changes to existing buildings, change building use.
- Smaller building projects that don’t impact the surrounding area may not require a planning application and this is called permitted development.
- Example: A new cinema to be built on free land requires permission however a small outdoor lounge being built in your backyard may not require permission.
Why is it important for community to be involved in planning?
- Ensures community needs are being met as opinions are shared. EX: New playground needed for kids leisure, new gym needed as population rise has filled up the others.
- Planning authorities gain approval if everyone is involved reducing chance of appeals and time saved.
- Opinions shared on certain ways of sustainable development contributing to the countries eco goals.
- Stakeholder: Anyone who has an interest in a project and can influence it’s success (Authorities, customers, residents, etc)
When can you appeal against a planning decision?
- Appeals can be made against the council when they are requiring someone to carry out a specific action that they don’t want or for particular activities to be stopped.
- The appeals can be made by a developer or someone affected by the development. Decisions are made by the Scottish ministers.
They have 3 months after the decision date to appeal.
EX: Is a housing shortfall and they wanted to destroy a historical site in order to built more housing, people could appeal that decision because it’s category A listed
Building categories:
Category A: Of great importance.
Category B: Beneficial local importance.
Category C: Buildings less important could get rid off or upgrade to category B.
How does the planning system address key issues like sustainability, environment, historical conservation, etc?
- The planning system raises awareness of the importance of sustainable development, without it people would not consider the environmental impacts of developments.
People are educated by the Scottish government’s legislative rules, and people realize that the LDP’s follow the national planning framework aims in their plans.
- Historical buildings are conserved as they will be placed in category A for building significance so the system offers protection too.
Why is it important for environmental managers to have an understanding of the planning system?
- It is important for environment managers to have a practical understanding of the planning system of the country they work in so they can engage in communication with key agencies such as SEPA, SNH, Scottish Water etc.
- They also need to know this so they can achieve low carbon places, natural resilient places, successful sustainable places and connected places. These are all incorporated in the balance of economic, environmental and community priorities.
