A consultation paper seeking views on implementation of the changes and recommending a reduction in the time limit for appeals to be lodged from six to three months is published today.

The paper also recommends that appeals against most decisions delegated to planning officers will be heard by councillors rather than the Scottish Government, creating a faster and more efficient planning system.

At present, all appeals are referred to the Scottish Government for determination. However, under the Planning Act 2006, appeals against decisions taken by planning officers - usually for small-scale, local developments - will be heard by local review bodies comprising councillors.

Planning Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "This government wants to see a planning and development regime which is joined up, combining greater certainty and speed of decision making with achieving good quality, sustainable places and supporting sustainable economic growth.


"The proposals contained in our Modernising Planning Appeals consultation are intended to encourage greater efficiency in the planning system, without reducing the high quality of determinations provided under the present arrangements.

"Where applicants are not satisfied with a decision taken on a local application delegated to officials, it is more appropriate that they seek a review of that decision from local councillors, instead of appealing to Scottish Ministers. This will enable planning appeals to move more swiftly through the system.

"This forms part of our package of reforms to the Scottish planning system, which will enable all tiers of government to focus on our core purpose of creating a more successful country."

The 2005 White Paper 'modernising the planning system' signalled the intention to introduce a step change in the process for reviewing planning decisions, while the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 provided the powers necessary to introduce the changes.

This new consultation document 'Modernising Planning Appeals' now seeks views from stakeholders on the detailed procedures that should apply to review local planning applications, planning appeals and preparing schemes of delegation.

Planning officers are often able to rule on an application under Delegated Powers. This is most often applied when there are no complex issues and the matter need not be referred to committee.

The consultation runs until May 14. Finalised regulations are intended to be in place early in 2009.

(VB)