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Town Planning and Development Consultancy
Dave
Macdonald Tigh na Greine, Quebec Bridge, Tain IV19 1NG
Tel : 01862 892209 Mob : 07778 194976
Welcome A native Highlander, Dave graduated in Town
and Country Planning from Glasgow School of Art in 1978. He spent 12 years working in local authority Planning Departments
within the Highland Area and Aberdeen City. A combination of Planning Consultancy and other business interests followed.
His 'hands-on' experience in the 'outside world' have afforded valuable insight into the development issues
facing individuals and the business community, allowing him to draw upon a unique perspective in bridging the modern day needs
of the Highland people and the demands of an evolving, seemingly ever more complex yet often under-resourced Planning system. You may be starting out on a project or have began
to lose control of a pending development proposal. You might even have ideas for a future use of land but are not
sure how to progress. Whatever your situation, Highland Planning will work with you, first by listening to your needs
and aspirations, then by moving your proposals forward or putting them back on track through relevant channels, ultimately
striving towards a successful conclusion in the shortest possible time.
Highland Planning can offer the
following services :
Policy
and Planning Law Interpretation Development Appraisals Planning Applications and Mediation Local Plan Submissions and Representation Planning Hearings and Appeals Sustainable Design Statements Project Management
Whatever your needs, and for for an informal consultation to establish how I
might be of assistance, you may reach me by e-mail or by telephone. Please use the contact details at the top
of the page. Thank you for viewing my website. Dave Macdonald Dip TP MRTPI
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Whatever your needs, and for for an informal consultation
to establish how I might be of assistance, you may reach me by e-mail or by telephone. Please use the
contact details at the top of the page. Thank you for viewing my website. Dave Macdonald Dip TP MRTPI
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Friday, May 8, 2009
Higher planning fees ?Apparently, the Scottish Government is considering whether to raise planning fees as early as August in return for speedier
decision making. It is reported that up to 20% of a hike could be justified as present fees only cover 83% of Planning System
costs (not sure if thats an uptodate recession-affected figure). Understandably, on the basis speedier decisions and better
attention saves money all round, the larger developers are keen on the idea but point out, getting their money back if
their decisions are delayed, would not be unreasonable ! Unless planning authority resources are increased dramatically,
it would seem such an arrangement might not be the most straightforward streamlining idea to implement in practice. Chances
are we will get the fee increase, and soon, but merely alligned to some further committment to performance examination.
6:47 am est
ePlanningAs part of Scottish Government's attempts to streamline the planning System, enhance the service and provide more openness
and accountability, Highland Council has recently launched its ePlanning system whereby planning applications can be submitted
and existing applications can be viewed, tracked and commented upon online. Simple searches can be conducted by address, postcode
or application reference or more advanced searches via applicant name, community council/ward area, Committee date etc. A
slightly irritating aspect I have found so far is, unless you know the applicant's name, it will not accompany the application
details once found, nor will the decision date (delegated or Committee) if the application has been determined. These are
useful details in providing comprehensive 'at a glance' information. Google the determined application reference number
and eventually you ought to find the Planing Officer's report but I would have thought it easier to have provided that
basic info as part of the initial search. Maybe, the info is there and it just my initial attempts to access the system but,
if these advances are to be a success, they must be quick, efficient and user friendly. I have no doubt a tremendous amount
of work has gone into creating the system and the general philosophy is to be welcomed. Hopefully, any initial teething problems
will be be quickly overcome. Personally, my biggest problem will be trusting the accuracy of the data base but maybe that
confidence will come through continued use over time. To get started the initial link to check out and register
as a user is http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/planning/eplanning/
6:18 am est
Friday, April 24, 2009
Housing in the CountrysideHighland Council has recently undertaken a review of
the existing Housing in the Countryside Development Planning Policy
Guidance. The review examined the effectiveness and fit for purpose of the existing houisng in the countryside
policy as set out in the Structure Plan, Local Plans and associated Development Plan Policy Guidance. The interim guidance
provides the Council’s policy approach to Housing in the Countryside in advance of the Highland wide Local Development
Plan. The Council now invites feedback on the document
and changes to policy approach to housing in the countryside. The document is available at Council Headquarters, Inverness
and online from Friday 24th April for a period of 4 weeks. The closing date for responses is Friday, 22nd
May 2009.
Check http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/planning/consultations.htm
This policy will be of particular interest to those seekiing to develop a house
or houses in those areas of the Highland countryside currently subject to the over-prohibitive Hinterland policy. Once
reviewed, the policy will dictate the pattern of rural housing development for many years to come.
Personally,
I believe there was little or no justification for a policy which restricts development purely in terms of its distance
relationship with Inverness. Its limitations were expressed at its conception and my gut reaction is these appear to have
been passed over and the inpression now is we are dealing with a review to an established policy whose foundations
are beyond question. I think this is presents a basic weakness in the new policy. Also, I do not believe it goes
nearly far enough to meet the spirit of the guidance issued by the Scottish Government. The areas of 'relaxation''
only serve to confuse and, as they are currently presented, may result in denying some of the best opportunities the countryside
has to offer for accomodating new housing whilst seemingly encouraging the potential for some misplaced and less than ideal
development .
I'd be interested to know other perspectives on the new policy and , of course, if I can help
you present your observations to Highland Council, just get in touch.
10:52 am est
Development Plan SchemeHighland Council has updated its Development Plan Scheme which explains what future local
development plans for Highland will contain; when they are likely to be produced; and how individuals, communities and organisations
can be involved in making these plans.
The Scheme may be viewed at http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/planning/developmentplans/developmentplanscheme.ht mShould you be at all interested in the forthcoming round of Local Development Plans then
it is well worth a read in order to understand the processes and procedures being pursued by Highland Council in tems of strategic
planning
10:19 am est
Friday, March 6, 2009
Major DevelopmentsFrom 6 April 2009, the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 obliges potential major development applicants to engage
in pre-application discussions with local planning authorities. Highland Council has published its Guidelines on this new
procedure and these can be found at ;
http://www.highland.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3356F297-5C65-4B93-8F9B-D444ED740846/0/maj_dev_SPG_Feb09_forWEB.pdf
The objective is to help make the planning process more efficient by encouraging early and effective
consultation thus avoiding some of the difficult situations that may arise during the application process.
A Major
Development team will meet on a monthly basis in Inverness and a pre-application request form must be lodged with the Council
at last 4 weeks before the meeting date sought.
Highland Planning is available
to accept Major Development pre-application commissions.
9:23 am est
Friday, February 13, 2009
Web site newsSomewhat fittingly, on Friday 13th, I learnt the web host, Register.com, had lost my original webpage. I have commenced reconstruction
and will hopefully have everything updated before too long. Thank you for your patience.
Dave
7:08 am est
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