The Importance of Planning Policy

A message from Barbara Cummins, Chair of the Cockburn Association

As we rush towards the general election on 4 July, we have been barraged with claim and counter claim by all political parties.  I find it interesting, and frustrating, that almost all discussions and manifesto statements do not talk about the importance of place-making in any meaningful way.  Also, whilst housing is a huge issue across the UK, and no more so than in Edinburgh, there is a tendency to blame “red tape” and regulatory systems like planning for the failure of others to deliver.

In fairness, for many laypersons, including politicians and prospective politicians, it is easier to criticise the planning process rather than seek to understand it.

Indeed, in my career as Professional Planner in both local and national government, I have always found it a struggle to get people, other than other planners, interested in the development plan process and the crafting of planning policies. That is a real shame and a missed opportunity as this is what will ultimately guide development.

The process of making a development plan or writing policy lacks the immediacy of a planning application.  It is somehow an abstract concept that isn’t as “real” as something in about to happen in “my back yard.” Yet, when a development proposal, be it a small kitchen extension by a neighbour or major new housing development which has the potential to directly impact on you, you may feel moved to comment directly on the planning application.

Put frankly, the decision on that proposal is already half made because the policy or policies in the local development plan on which the proposal will be assessed has already been adopted. Of course I am slightly over-simplifying the process, but the key consideration will always be: does the proposal comply with the development plan?

The Planning Act requires that all decisions “shall have regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the application, and to any other material considerations” (section 37(2) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997).

Development plans guide all decisions on applications for planning permission in Scotland. The development plan for any given area of Scotland consists of the National Planning Framework (NPF4 was adopted in February 2023) and the relevant local development plan. In the case of Edinburgh that is the Edinburgh Local Development Plan, soon to be replaced by City Plan 2030.

Policy making takes a long time because the process of creating new Development Plans takes time. That can also mean that policies which are poorly crafted can last for a long time. Ambiguous wording can mean that the policy intent is lost through later interpretations or even challenges at appeal. When Scottish Government appointed Reporters determine appeals into refused planning applications, it will always be the policy that is uppermost their mind, not whether it is unpopular locally or even at odds with what may be emerging through a change in views as a new plan is developed.

I know that this can be particularly frustrating, for local objectors and for the Cockburn Association.

We have worked hard to influence policy at national level in National Planning Framework 4 and the new City Plan 2030, which we hope will be adopted by the City Council shortly. Even as this happens, the City Council planners are already thinking ahead to the next Plan; this is a never-ending process but one we know really matters and where we can add value.

We will only see good decisions being made on the issues that are now prevalent in Edinburgh when the policies are in place to support those decisions. As the market changes or new fashions for particular kinds of development emerge, we will need to be alert to the need to recraft the policies that no longer work to maintain and improve the amenity of the City of Edinburgh and its neighbourhoods and protect, preserve and conserve the City’s landscape and its historical and architectural heritage just as Lord Cockburn originally advocated.

This is in part why we are such strong advocates for the Scottish Planning System and of the need to have coherent, relevant and up-to-date policies in place.  We also need to have the system adequately resourced by professional, committed staff with the right skills and aptitude to serve this fine city.  Good decisions need good policies implemented by skilled staff with good advice and support from the community. It is that simple.

So, now is the time for our political leaders to stop bashing the planning system and using it is an excuse for failures in other public policy areas, such as housing. We need to invest more in planning and good place-making, increasing awareness and reinforcing community and neighbourhood accountability, thereby ensuring Edinburgh’s unique architectural and landscape heritage is available to future generations to enjoy.