Current Petitions

The next petition is PE479, from W E Campbell, which calls on the Parliament to take the necessary steps to allow local communities to become more involved in the planning process.The petition was prompted by a sand and gravel quarry development at Strathnairn, near Inverness. The petitioners believe that the initial refusal to grant planning permission for the quarry development is likely to be overturned following an appeal by the site developers and a subsequent public inquiry.The committee agreed to seek the Executive's views. A fairly detailed response has now been received on how the current planning process works, the role of the parliamentary ombudsman in the planning process and the role of ministers and their accountability to the Parliament for their final decisions. The response also gives details of procedures that are followed in respect of development near archaeological sites. The committee has been informed that the reporters are to re-open the inquiry to consider new material evidence that has come to light since they issued their letter of intention to grant the appeal.It is not appropriate for us to become involved in individual planning cases and the petitioners' specific concerns about the planning application for a development in their local area can be taken into account only as part of the established planning process. That process is still on-going and if any party is concerned about the decision that is finally reached, they can take it before the courts.The Executive has made it clear that the issue of improved community involvement in the planning process was addressed in its recent "Getting Involved in Planning" consultation, the results of which will be published in the summer. It appears satisfied that the current role of the ombudsman system in planning matters is satisfactory and that the procedures for dealing with development near archaeological sites are adequate.In the light of the Executive's response, it is suggested that the committee may wish to agree to defer a final decision on the petition until the Executive's response to its recent planning consultation is published and its proposals for improved community involvement are announced. That may take some time, but it is suggested that it would not be appropriate for any further consideration to be given to the petition while the Executive is actively considering the key issue that has been raised about the involvement of individuals in the planning process.

I agree. I read the "Getting Involved in Planning" document the other week and am disappointed about the consultation process and some of the feedback from that. I was disappointed to read that the intention appears to be to continue with the plan not to have third-party rights of appeal.

That is true. We have received lots of petitions on that issue, but PE479 is not directly about that—it is about individuals becoming involved.

A similar situation is on-going in Aberdour in my constituency. I agree that this is an important issue.

The Executive's response to its consultation is critical. The Executive claims that it wants to improve the system so we should wait to see what improvements are suggested. Is that agreed?Members indicated agreement.