| Description | Circular 32/1996 |
|---|
| ISBN | n/a (Web Only) |
|---|
| Official Print Publication Date | |
|---|
| Website Publication Date | September 25, 1996 |
|---|
Circular 32/1996
Previous Circular Cancelled: 7/1985
The Chief Executive
Local Authorities
Our ref: PGB/5/3/1
25 September 1996
Dear Sir
TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR LOCAL PLAN
INQUIRIES
1. This Circular introduces a revised Code of Practice
for Local Plan Inquiries in Scotland. The new Code replaces
that issued under cover of Circular No 7/1985, which is
cancelled.
Citizen's Charter
2. Ten copies of the Code are enclosed with this
Circular (for Chief Executives only). In accordance with
the principles of the Citizen's Charter, the Code is
intended to be a user-friendly guide through the local plan
inquiry process for businesses and individual members of
the public. The Secretary of State hopes that all planning
authorities and other parties concerned with local plan
inquiries will follow the new Code to help ensure that the
process operates as efficiently and effectively as
possible.
3. I should therefore be grateful if authorities would
make copies of it freely available to interested bodies and
members of the public whenever and wherever a Local Plan is
deposited for inspection in accordance with Section 10(2)
of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1972.
Code of Practice
4. The new Code takes account of changes in
administrative practice which have taken place over the
past 10 years. It has been prepared in consultation with
the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA),
authorities themselves and a number of other interested
organisations. It should be read in conjunction with the
Structure and Local Plans (Scotland) Regulations 1983,
Planning Advice Note 49 "Local Planning" and the Local Plan
Service Standards Document issued under cover of Circular
1/1996.
5. The Code aims to provide fuller detail than before on
the whole process of preparing for local plan inquiries for
new or updated Local Plans. In particular, the Code
stresses the benefits of encouraging early and full public
participation in the local plan process and sets out good
practice guidance on the arrangements for pre-inquiry
meetings and exchange of documents and for the inquiry
itself, and discusses reporting and other arrangements
following the inquiry. A revised Model Form of Objection to
local plan proposals is included as an Appendix to the
Code. Again, authorities are asked to make copies of such
forms freely available at places where plans are deposited
for inspection.
Comments
6. The opportunity will be taken to adjust the advice in
the Code based on experience gained in the processing of
local plans. The Secretary of State would therefore welcome
comments from planning authorities and others with an
interest in local planning on the possible future
development of this Code.
Enquiries
7. Enquiries about the operation of the Code,
particularly in relation to specific inquiries, should be
addressed to Mr Iain MacLeod, The Scottish Office Inquiry
Reporters Unit, Room 402, 2 Greenside Lane, Edinburgh, EH1
3AG (Telephone 0131-244-5649). General enquiries about the
content of this Circular and comments on the further
development of the Code should be addressed to Mr Keith
Main, Room 2-H32, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ
(Telephone 0131-244-7062). Further copies of the Code and a
list of planning Circulars may be obtained from Miss Kelly
Wood at this address (Telephone 0131-244-7066).
Yours faithfully
M T AFFOLTER
Code
of Practice for Local Plan Inquiries
September 1996