RTPI calls for creation of a cabinet secretary for planning
April 1 2011
The document articulates the need for government to ensure that the planning system shapes the future of the country by further calling for the creation of both a planning committee in parliament and a Scottish planning forum.
David Suttie, RTPI Scotland convener, said: “Planning ensures that we put the right things in the right places at the right time. It can help achieve economic growth, sustainable development and successful places. The changes made to the system over the last few years have reinforced this, so we do not need radical change but we do need politicians to fully embrace the positive steps that have been made.
“A confident planning system can only help the beleaguered property sector. We know all too well the shortage of affordable homes in Scotland, and many of our members in the private sector are suffering acutely from the recession. The planning system can enable us to achieve the economic growth required whilst protecting our unique environmental and heritage assets for future generations by bringing certainty to communities and to investors.”
3 Comments
#1 Posted by Auntie Nairn on 5 Apr 2011 at 13:43 PM
The planning system at the local level spectacularly fails to achieve any of these stated aims, so what evidence is there that a parliament planning forum would fare any better. Or is the prospect of a damn good Holyrood lunch just too good to pass up?
#2 Posted by Mumstheword on 8 Apr 2011 at 21:39 PM
Yes, as much as I think the planners get blamed for too much of development's bad choices and there is a lack of acknowledgement from the general public on its visionary heritage, I do not think ANY profession can provide 'certainty' - the future is not past or present but open. And when it's open, it's uncertain, indeterminate and anticipatory. The problem is that there is too much focus on the property sector, and I am wary of the dominant belife that forging the nexus between aspirations and assets is not how we should progress. We've just had a 20 year hedonistic orgy on property and the outcome? We've shafted younger generations and the gap is even wider, in my view, between older, mid-aged and advanced old - when it comes to the 'property sector' and assets. We need a rethink planners.
#3 Posted by Keith Geddes on 11 Apr 2011 at 10:18 AM
If every professional body called for a specific minister and committee there would be more ministers than MSP's and more committees than would be maneagable. there is a need to improve the planning system but what is needed is acultutral change at local government level that recognises that the system should facilitate development rather than thinking of reasons to stop development.
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