Mediation in Planning
We are delighted to have been awarded a contract by the Scottish Government to conduct a pilot study in the use of mediation in planning cases.
The Government is now looking for cases in the planning field to benefit from the pilot funding which is available. Contact graham.robinson@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
Two of the three pilot case studies currently being conducted by Core on behalf of the Scottish Government are well under way with very useful feedback.
Parties involved (including community groups, local authority planners, consultants and developers) are reporting positively on the value which mediation can bring to difficult planning issues.
The perceived benefits included: “Open dialogue” “Breaking down barriers” “Different views leading to convergence” “Consensus on the sites” “Trust” “Focus” “Opening door to engage” “Interesting to hear different views” “Common ground” “Clear next steps” “Value of neutral umpire” “Realistic” “Changing perceptions” “A natural way to proceed to get people to operate together to achieve outcomes in planning”.
The awarding of the contract followed Core's engagement by the Scottish Government to prepare the Guide to the Use of Mediation in the planning system. Launched by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth in March 2009, the Guide is available here.
John Sturrock was the keynote speaker at both the launch in London in early October 2009 of the RICS Mediation Panel and at a conference arranged by Planning Aid in Edinburgh in November 2009. Charlie Woods has also presented at conferences on this topic.
In April 2010 the Scottish Planner published an article by John Sturrock, looking at the role of mediation in planning.