Issue - meetings

Motion by Councillor Osler - Non – Determination

“Committee

1.    Supports and encourages communities to engage within the planning process

2.    Notes the volume and complexity of applications having to be considered in Edinburgh by the City of Edinburgh Planning Department in comparison to other Local Authorities 

3.    Notes and the supports the rights of applicants to have planning applications considered within a timely manner as set out by the Scottish Government

4.    Notes that there is an option available to an applicant to appeal to Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) for the non-determination of an application if it has passed its time period for decision as set by planning legislation via the Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 or a time period that has been otherwise agreed by officers and the applicant

5.    Recognises that the determination of an application can be delayed by the granting of a request for a hearing  

6.    Notes that some applicants choose to withdraw an application from consideration by the Development Management Sub Committee on the basis of non determination when a decision is delayed due to a hearing being granted  

7.    Therefore requests the Planning Convener write to Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth asking that consideration be given to extending the time limit for determination in cases where an application has been continued for a Hearing to allow for communities and other interested stakeholders to have their voices heard.”