Equal Rights of Appeal – Planning Democracy

Please find below some info on our current lobbying and campaigning and how people can help to keep the pressure around Equal Right of Appeal at these crucial stages of the new Planning Bill.

We are asking you if you can contribute… There are 5 options:

1) respond to the Bill

2) write and lobby your MSP (sample letter attached)

3) Go and visit your MSP (see the blue email below, good example of how to set this meeting up)

4) send your MSP an ERA postcard or get everyone you know to send one

5) attend our big protest at the Parliament which will most likely take place on one of these dates

1.)   Responding to the Bill – guide attached!

So we are at stage 1 of the Bill and the Local Government and Communities Committee are overseeing the Bill. They have put in a Call for Evidence which has a deadline of Feb 2nd. There are 12 questions which seem to be quite well considered.

This website gives you the details of the Bill (we recommend reading the explanatory notes rather than the Bill): http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/106768.aspx

This website gives you the questions they are asking:

 http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/107202.aspx

And here is what has been submitted already by individuals and groups: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Cur rentCommittees/107562.aspx

We would really ask you to consider putting in evidence that asks for a community right of appeal.

You can ask for the committee to introduce a section to the Bill that gives communities a right to appeal decisions. 

Some of you might want to specify that applications such as those contrary to Local Development Plans or where there is a conflict of interest are particularly of interest. Others might want to specify that you would want your community group or council to be able to challenge decisions that are made on major/ large applications. 

You can say communities need to be able to appeal decisions, not just be consulted. 

In order to achieve the Bill’s policy objectives of “significantly strengthening LDPs and giving them a greater focus on place and delivery” and to “significantly enhance engagement in development planning, effectively empowering communities to play a proactive role in defining the future of their place.” you need rights. 

What is the point of you being involved in developing a local place plan or taking part in a development plan if you can’t challenge decisions made that might be contrary to those plans. That is not empowering, that is deeply frustrating!

This part of our website gives you information about appeal rights:

http://www.planningdemocracy.org.uk/what-is-equal-rights-appeal-campaign/

We have tried to write a guide, but it is phenomenally hard to do, bearing in mind we don’t want to put words into people’s responses, and don’t really know how much people understand about different aspects of planning! Also there is an awful lot to comment on and somethings are just so unclear as to make it difficult to have an opinion on!

However, we hope this is helpful, if not and you are struggling please do let us know. 

2.)  Writing to MSPs – template attached!

So far, our lobbying is proving highly effective, but we need to step it up a notch. Right now, we are urgently looking for people to meet their MSPs or write to them, especially the Conservative representatives. This is really important as they are close to being supportive of ERA.

Do you happen to have a connection with any of the Tories in your area (even if you just contacted them about an issue in the past) and would you be willing to write to them? Or if you have a strong aversion and would prefer to visit another party MSP please let us know. We are happy to brief you and support in any way necessary (starting with the general ERA briefing: http://www.planningd emocracy.org.uk/what-is-equal- rights-appeal-campaign/ )

Also attached is a letter template as we know you’re very busy people, but it is more effective if you can write your own version, and include examples!! Helpful guide here:  http://www.planningdemocracy.org.uk/tips-writing-msp-councillors-era/

3.)  Visiting MSPs

It is not as daunting as most people believe and it is important to keep your representatives informed of the planning issues in their constituencies. Also useful to get to know them and gain their support, after all it is their job to represent you! So please visit their surgery if you can and have a chat about planning. Below is an example of one of our supporters’ emails arranging the meeting, feel free to use for inspiration. Tories are most sought after at the moment as they are nearly supportive, just need some nudging.

Dear xx MSP,

I am writing to you as one of my local list MSPs (I live in Xxx) to ask if I could meet with you to discuss the forthcoming Planning Bill. You may be aware that the Bill is currently entering Stage One of the Parliament’s legislative process and is currently the subject of a call for evidence.

Having been brought up in Xxx I have witnessed many occasions when local voices are stifled within the planning system and seen the negative impact this has on local engagement.  As a result, I have a particular interest in an Equal Right of Appeal for communities and would be keen to explore this issue with you.

I work in Xxxx from Monday to Wednesday and would be happy to meet with you there at a mutually convenient time.  I will contact your office by phone next week in the hopes of arranging a suitable time and venue.

I very much look forward to our discussion.

Your sincerely,

XX

4.) ERA postcards

5.) Demos and Evidence Sessions – Following our successful mini demo in December, it will be crucial to show a good presence at the Parliament at the Call for Evidence stage of the Bill. This will happen on Wednesday 28^th Feb. There will be a bigger demo later on around the amendments stage. Keep an eye on our updates and make some nice banners for your campaign.

It is important to also show a good presence in the public gallery during the Local Government and Communities Committee evidence sessions on 28^th Feb, 7^th, 14^th & 21^st March – If you can make any of those dates, call the Parliament for details and to book a place (via Visitor Services, Switchboard on 0800 092 7500 or 0131 348 5000).

So this is it for now; hope there’s enough choice of actions for everybody.

Please keep in touch and let us know of any MSP responses.

Thank you and best wishes,

Daya

Daya Feldwick

Community Network Coordinator