Permitted development rights - phase 1 priority development types: consultation

2. Responses to Previous Consultation

2.1 An analysis of responses to the previous consultation on the Proposed Work Programme and Sustainability Appraisal was conducted by Craigforth, an independent social research consultancy, and published on 30 September 2020.^[2] All published responses can be found at the Scottish Government's Consultation hub^[3]. The responses have informed the development of the detailed proposals for change we are consulting on now, and changes to the proposed phasing of our PDR work.

2.2 In total 113 responses were received, of which 61 were from groups or organisations and 52 from individual members of the public. The total number of responses includes comments received from the three statutory SEA consultation authorities through the SEA Gateway. Responses varied in their focus – almost all commented on the proposed phasing in the workplan, some focused primarily, or exclusively, on specific development types (including responses which provided significant detail on issues relating to the extension of PDR for these development types), and others commented across a broader range of development types.

2.3 A total of 101 respondents commented on the proposed work programme. Of these, 30 expressed broad support, 44 provided comments which criticised aspects of the programme or offered further suggestions of how this could be improved (the great majority being individuals, including 16 campaign plus responses) and 27 did not express a clear view on the work programme as a whole. Most of those providing comment, including those who expressed broad support, raised issues or suggested amendments to the proposed work programme.

2.4 A total of 74 respondents commented on the accuracy and scope of information set out in the Sustainability Appraisal. Of these, 20 expressed broad support, 18 provided comments which criticised aspects of the accuracy and scope of information described or offered suggestions as to how this could be improved, and 36 did not give a clear overall view. Those expressing support included a mix of planning authorities and other public bodies, planning/other professionals, private sector, third sector and individual respondents. However, most of those providing comment raised issues or concerns regarding the baselines set out in the SA. These were primarily related to specific development types, but some common themes were raised across the environmental, social and economic baselines.

2.5 A total of 81 respondents commented on the predicted effects as described in the SA. Of these, 13 expressed broad support, 44 provided comments which criticised aspects of the predicted effects, and 24 did not express a clear overall view. Most of those providing comment raised issues or concerns, including those expressing broad support for the SA description of predicted effects. The great majority of these issues or concerns related to specific development types. However, several common themes were also evident, some of which were similar to those raised in relation to the accuracy and scope of information set out in the SA.

2.6 A total of 75 respondents commented on proposals for mitigation and monitoring of predicted effects. Of these, 6 expressed broad support for the proposals, 23 provided comments which criticised aspects of mitigation and monitoring, and 46 did not express a clear overall view. Those expressing support included planning/other professionals and private sector respondents. However, a substantial proportion of those providing comment raised issues or suggested amendments to proposals and these have helped inform the proposals for change for the Phase 1 development types that are the focus of this consultation.