Masterplan Consent Area Regulations: consultation responses summary
Summary of the responses to the Masterplan Consent Area Regulations consultation.
Question 12
Question 12A)To what extent do you agree with the required circumstances, i.e. that where the scheme would authorise a national development, that there be a requirement for a hearing, as set out within Draft Regulation 5(1)?
Responses to Question 12A are set out by respondent type in Table 11 below.
| Group | Strongly Agree | Agree | Neutral | Disagree | Strongly Disagree |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community & Individuals (10) | 2 (20.0%) | 5 (50.0%) | 1 (10.0%) | 2 (20.0%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Development, Property & Land Management sector & Agents (14) | 2 (14.3%) | 10 (71.4%) | 2 (14.3%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Key Agency & Other Public Sector (3) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 3 (100.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Planning Authority (19) | 4 (21.1%) | 10 (52.6%) | 4 (21.1%) | 1 (5.3%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Professional Representative Bodies (3) | 0 (0.0%) | 3 (100.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Third Sector (3) | 2 (66.7%) | 1 (33.3%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) | 0 (0.0%) |
| Total (52) | 10 (19.2%) | 29 (55.8%) | 10 (19.2%) | 3 (5.8%) | 0 (0.0%) |
A total of 52 respondents answered this question. A majority – 75% of those who answered the question – strongly agreed or agreed with the circumstances requiring a hearing, while 5.8% disagreed and 19.2% remained neutral. There were high levels of agreement across all respondent groups, apart from Key Agency & Other Public Sector (100% neutral).
Question 12B) Please explain your view.
42 respondents provided further comment at Question 12B.
Summary /Themes
The responses were generally supportive of the proposed circumstances in which a hearing would be required. The supportive responses cited the approach was aligned with the requirements with respect to planning applications for national developments and is also line with National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). Supportive comments also acknowledged the need to be proportionate as there is a substantial level of time and resource required from planning authorities to facilitate the hearing process.
A few respondents disagreed with the required circumstances for a hearing, and did not believe a national development should be subject to an automatic hearing.
A number of suggested additions and amendments were made by respondents. One Third Sector respondent suggested that a “hearing should be required for any proposed MCA, regardless of the size of the development authorised.” While a Key Agency & Other Public Sector response considered that a hearing should also be required for any major developments which would be significantly contrary to the development plan.
Three Planning Authorities noted they were unclear on what triggers a hearing and if it is for planning authorities to establish the threshold.
Contact
Email: mca@gov.scot
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