Mediation and Planning in Scotland

We have now completed our work on the User's Guide to Mediation in Planning.

Carried out in association with the Scottish Government, the Guide was launched at a special event in March at which the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP, was the key speaker. Our work in the preparation of the Guide and the accompanying report to the Scottish Government has revealed the extensive possibilities for the use of mediation in planning from the pre-development stage right through to appeals.

Mr Swinney said: "Planning applications often spark passsionate debate, with people expressing strong-held views both for and against development proposals.

"In some cases, the involvement of a thrid party mediator can resolve differences, bring in impartiality and help parties identify common ground on a way forward. By avoiding, narrowing and ending disputes and achieving consensus, the time and cost taken to determine applications can potentially be reduced, contributing to the more effective and efficient planning system we all want to see.

This is a key aim of our work with local government, agencies and the development industry to ensure the planning system acts as an aid rather than a hindrance to economic development. That is particulalry important in the current climate, which is why it is at the heart of our Economic Recovery Programme.

"Already, interesting possibilities are emerging as real examples of mediation in planning in Scotland, on which to build experience and confidence in a process which can be a real asset to a more creative and cost effective approach to the use and development of land in Scotland.