1 INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
1.1 Transport Scotland is an agency of the Scottish Executive, and is accountable to the public through the Scottish Parliament, with the Chief Executive reporting directly to the Minister for Transport.
1.2 The Trunk Roads: Network Management Directorate within Transport Scotland is responsible for the operation and maintenance of Scotland’s trunk road network.
1.3 The trunk road network plays a key role in sustaining Scotland’s economy. The constraints and pressures on this network will inevitably be affected by land use policies and the consequent development impacts. Efficient land use and the role of development management therefore have a major role to play in ensuring that the effectiveness of the road network is maintained. With this in mind, transport issues including land use allocations require to be considered at the earliest stage of the development planning process. This document seeks to provide general advice and guidance on Transport Scotland’s role throughout the planning process including development planning from inception and all aspects of development management (formerly development control) including consideration of all development categories and pre application enquiries. In particular it aims to clarify how Transport Scotland will engage with development management stakeholders.
WHO SHOULD READ THIS DOCUMENT?
1.4 This guidance is intended to assist all parties involved in the development management process where there is a potential for impact on the trunk road network, in particular local authorities (both planning and transportation officers) but also including:
- applicants, developers and their agents, and
- planning and transport consultants.
1.5 The guidance covers the key areas in which Transport Scotland is likely to be involved. Users of the guide may only have need to be familiar with one aspect, however, it may be helpful to be familiar with the overall approach. It is intended to be brief but also to address, in one document, the primary interests of those involved in the development management process.
PLANNING AND TRANSPORT POLICY
1.6 For further details on specific elements of the process reference should be made to the appropriate policies and guidance issued by the Scottish Executive and available at http://www.scottishexecutive.gov.uk/Topics/Planning/AdviceGuidance/PANs. In particular PAN 66: Best Practice in Handling Planning Applications Affecting Trunk Roads and the associated A and B Appendices (pages 12 and 17) refer to the requirements of applicants when considering development proposals likely to affect the trunk road network. SPP 17 Planning for Transport refers to the policies relating to these matters.
1.7 The Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 received Royal Assent on 20 December 2006. It contains widespread reforms which will be implemented through Commencement Orders laid over the next two years. Aspects which will affect this guidance and Transport Scotland’s role include a new development plan system, new development management procedures including a hierarchy of planning application types, new requirements on developers for pre application consultation and strengthening of the enforcement powers including a new duty on developers to notify the planning authority by a Start Notice before work commences.
Contents « Previous Next »
