Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA): annual review 2022 to 2023

Our Priorities For The Coming Year

Business Improvement Objectives/Service Improvement Plan 2022/23

With the aim of continuously improving DPEA's efficiency and effectiveness, in order to further enhance the reputation of the planning system in Scotland, we continued to focus on improvement of our services. Our stakeholder group has continued to discuss how we can encourage enhanced participation in the appeals process. We have continued to look at and implement ways of improving the quality of our decision making and reporting.

We continued to embed business improvement policies designed to broaden and deepen the skills of all reporters, with a particular emphasis on developing the experience and competence of less-experienced reporters. Given the focus on climate change targets, Net Zero and the anticipated increase in related casework we have focussed specifically on measures to increase our pool of reporters who can deal with Section 36 and 37 applications under the Electricity Act.

We have continued to liaise with our stakeholders and also sister organisations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to share and implement best practice in particular with regard to delivering our services. This included an in-person meeting in Edinburgh at the end of March involving all jurisdictions.

We have continued to take steps to improve our efficiency in meeting targets for making decisions on appeals and other cases. In particular we will focus on cases where inquiry sessions are held.

We have continued to investigate the technical and other requirements of expanding our offer of hybrid in-person/ virtual hearings and inquiries, promoting efficiency and accessibility beyond Covid-19 restrictions. Our first hybrid inquiry was held in relation to the Sheriffhall Roundabout proposals.

We have reviewed our approach to succinct decisions and initiated a review of the number of cases where further written submissions are requested, ensuring a proportionate deployment of resources.

We have continued to work with PARD to progress improvements to the planning system in Scotland, in particular on NPF4 and revised development plan examination arrangements.

We have continued our programme of meetings with councils to share and implement best practice on appeals and other casework. This has included continuing our work with the Improvement Service to develop and deliver training to planning authorities. The Chief Reporter has continued to offer and hold meetings with local authorities to discuss the role of DPEA.

We have continued our programme of early engagement with planning authorities to better facilitate the submission of local developments plans for examination. We have commenced liaison of a similar nature in relation to Core Path Plans.

We have further developed our IT systems.

Business Improvement Objectives/Service Improvement Plan 2023/24

We will continue to look at ways of improving the service we deliver in partnership with our stakeholder group and other users of our services.

We will continue to embed business improvement policies designed to broaden and deepen the skills of all reporters. Given the focus on climate change targets, Net Zero and the anticipated increase in related casework we will focus on improving timescales for reporting.

We will continue to liaise with our stakeholders and also sister organisations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to share and implement best practice in particular with regard to delivering our services.

We will continue to take steps to improve our efficiency in meeting targets for making decisions on appeals and other cases.

We will continue to investigate the technical and other requirements of expanding our offer of hybrid in-person/ virtual hearings and inquiries, promoting efficiency, accessibility and best use of DPEA and others resources.

We will continue to look to reduce the time taken to decide cases and report. We will bring in a new style of report and continue to take steps to reduce cases where further information requests are necessary.

We will continue to work with PARD to progress improvements to the planning system in Scotland, in particular on NPF4 and revised development plan examination arrangements.

We will continue our programme of meetings with councils to share and implement best practice on appeals and other casework. This will include continuing our work with the Improvement Service to develop and deliver training to planning authorities. The Chief Reporter will continue to offer and hold meetings with local authorities to discuss the role of DPEA.

We will continue our programme of early engagement with planning authorities to better facilitate the submission of local developments plans for examination. We have commenced liaison of a similar nature in relation to Core Path Plans.

We will look to further develop our IT systems where budgets allow.