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Wednesday, 9th December 2009

Planning panel for capital

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Published Date: 08 April 2009
By BRIAN FERGUSON
A TASK force is being set up to help head off damaging rows which have dogged major developments in the historic heart of Edinburgh.
An expert panel will be called in to rule on high-profile schemes and projects before they enter the planning process, in a drive to curb controversies and delays for developers.

Architects, conservationists and heritage experts will sit on the new body, which has been instigated by the city council following criticism of the handling of major developments and fears that the city's planning process is too protracted and risks driving away investors.

The council has unveiled plans for the new body, as it confirmed that the capital's controversial "design champion", Sir Terry Farrell, will not be replaced once his tenure comes to an end next month.





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  • Last Updated: 08 April 2009 1:08 AM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Architecture
 
1

Jim A,

08/04/2009 08:34:22
Another panel, more of the same arguements, the people on this panel will disagree on issues and nothing will get done. People being people.
2

Moluscus Maximus,

08/04/2009 09:36:53
What! 10.40 and no comment from Butress yet.
3

Yonthing!,

08/04/2009 12:49:00
"fears that the city's planning process is too protracted"

So what do we do - add another layer of complexity.

Brilliant!
4

Fraz 0810,

Dunfermline 08/04/2009 13:12:29
Have to agree with all above comments. Scottish Exec/Govt were tinkering with the idea of 3rd party rights of appeal a few years ago, but luckily saw the light and booted it out. The simple fact is that the more people you have involved in these projects, the more arguments and delays will ensue. Even amongst those conservationist and heritage conscious architects, we cant get agreement, so how in the h*ll will another body speed things up?
That's before we even get onto the new planning regulations, with their definition of local, major and nationally important development schemes. Whilst undoubtedly well-intentioned, with each attempt at simplification we just seem to add more complexity to our already unwieldy, cumbersome and, as it relates to development plans, out of date planning system.
A better balance has to be struck between the needs/wants/ambitions of the planners and an understanding of the economics of development. Without it, we can say goodbye to any future development and related jobs.
5

Seb,

08/04/2009 13:24:27
But you've all missed the good news that Terry Farrell will no longer be our utterly pointless Design Tsar.
6

Old Town Resident,

edinburgh 08/04/2009 13:45:40
Interesting read here on it all -

http://www.architecturescotland.co.uk/news/1361/Wilson%27s_Weekly_Wrap:_Thinking_out_of_the_box,_or_just_out_of_the_box?_Realpolitik_in_
Charlotte_Square_&_Another_cunning_plan.html
7

Old Town Resident,

edinburgh 08/04/2009 13:49:53
"There is no nonsense so gross that it cannot be justified by the creation of jobs." George Monbiot

8

Buttress,

21/04/2009 12:46:11
Mr Wilson is all very well, and very amusing, shame he wasn't better informed.

 

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