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Chamber and committees

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee


Planning Aid Scotland submission of 6 October 2021

PE1864/AAAAA - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

PAS (www.pas.org.uk) is an impartial charity and social enterprise that helps people in Scotland to engage with the planning system and their places. Community engagement is a key aspect of enhancing local democracy and empowering communities to ensure that Scotland is a fairer and more equal place. PAS provides – amongst other services – an advice service, training, youth engagement, and facilitation of community-led plans.

PAS welcomes the invitation to respond to this petition.

Response to Point 1: Adopting English planning legislation for the determination of onshore wind farm developments

  • As an impartial organisation, PAS does not comment on policy approaches to renewable energy.
  • It may be useful for the committee to hear an English local authority perspective on the application of the current policy approach as set out in the petition, and to understand how community approval or otherwise of onshore windfarm proposals is assessed.
  • PAS understands that Scotland is the only devolved UK nation requiring inquiries for certain onshore windfarm appeals. It may be useful for the committee to hear a DPEA perspective on this matter. Is an inquiry the best approach to examining matters such as visual impact where parties will often already have fixed positions? Might a hearing or written submissions be more effective? Could mediation be introduced as part of the process?
  • It could also be investigated whether existing legislation and procedure (eg, the EIA regulations) could be amended to ensure members of the public and community groups are notified earlier in the process about section 36 applications (in effect creating closer alignment with the planning application process).

Response to Point 2: Empowering local authorities to ensure local communities are given sufficient professional help to engage in the planning process

  • PAS recognises the challenges that community groups and members of the public experience in preparing for and participating in inquiries, especially in areas with multiple and/or repeat applications.
  • The PAS free and impartial advice service (delivered by a combination of staff and PAS volunteers – all chartered planners) receives over 1000 enquiries annually and advice is provided for any eligible enquiry. PAS is also a referral agency to the Faculty of Advocates Free Legal Services Unit, meaning that users of our advice service can request pro bono legal support (written advice, representation or mediation). In addition, PAS has delivered training sessions for community groups in areas experiencing a high volume of windfarm applications.
  • Advising members of the public or community groups involved in an inquiry is inevitably one of the most challenging enquiry types received by the PAS advice service, both in terms of the potential volume of material to review, and the potential time input required.
  • PAS believes that there is scope for the committee to further investigate the establishment of a formal scheme whereby support would be offered to individuals or community groups participating in inquiries. The legal profession may be interested in supporting such a scheme, perhaps through the Faculty of Advocates or the Law Society of Scotland. The DPEA and local authorities might also have an interest in helping provide this support.

If such a scheme were to be established, it should be universal - open to participants in all types and topic of inquiry - and not restricted to those opposing onshore windfarm applications.

Response to Point 3: Appointing an independent advocate to ensure that local participants are not bullied and intimidated during public inquiries

  • PAS recognises that appearing at inquiry can be an intimidating experience, particularly as a member of the public facing cross examination.
  • However, if reporters are trained to recognise bullying and to intervene at the correct time, PAS does not currently consider that introducing a further layer of personnel in the form of an independent advocate should need to be added to the inquiry process.
  • It may be useful for the committee to understand how reporters are trained to recognise and deal with potential bullying, and if appropriate, for the DPEA to review training and reference materials. The DPEA complaints process already exists as a recourse for investigation of procedural matters.
  • A potential support scheme – as referenced above - should be designed to help inquiry participants to understand what to expect and how to manage cross examination.
  • The petition itself does not provide direct examples of bullying. A range of public comments submitted refer to bullying but often appear to be anecdotal rather than specific (n.b. PAS has not reviewed every public submission, so there may indeed be specific descriptions of bullying). The committee may wish to seek more detailed testimonies from those who believe they have experienced bullying to help determine potential further actions. It may also be useful for the committee to hear from the DPEA on this matter.

Related correspondences

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Scottish Government submission of 1 June 2021

PE1864/A - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alec Kidd submission of 2 June 2021

PE1864/B - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Christopher Shaw submission of 3 June 2021

PE1864/C - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Helen Braynis submission of 3 June 2021

PE1864/D - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Elaine Nisbet submission of 5 June 2021

PE1864/E - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Victoria Boyle submission of 3 June 2021

PE1864/F - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Iain Milligan submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/G - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

John Logan submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/H - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Janet and Michael Holley submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/I - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Tracey Smith submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/J - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Matthew Reiss submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/K - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Jerry Mulders submission of 4 June 2021

PE1864/L - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

William Jackson submission of 5 June 2021

PE1864/M - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Caithness West Community Council submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/N - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

J W Ponton submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/O - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

George Herraghty submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/P - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Ian Miller submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/Q - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Greta Roberts submission of 7 June 2021

PE1864/R - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Sue Hall submission of 8 June 2021

PE1864/S - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

June and Ed Hall submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/T - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alison Johnston submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/U - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Andrew Chadderton submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/V - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

James Tanner submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/W - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Amanda Rofe submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/X - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Howard and Grace Goldstein submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/Y - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Trevor Procter submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/Z - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Petitioner submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864/AA - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Moraig Lyall submission of 9 June 2021

PE1864_BB - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Angus Farquhar submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864/CC - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Brian Johnstone submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864/DD - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Elaine Procter submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864/EE - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Hazel Appleton submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864_FF - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Peter Dunn submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864_GG - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

John Edmondson submission of 10 June 2021

PE1864/HH - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Petitioner submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/II - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Rosemary Milne submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/JJ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Elinor Ross submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/KK - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alan Cairns submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/LL - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Celia Hobbs submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/MM - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Rachel Connor submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/NN - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Brian Bell submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/OO - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Ronald and Irene Bain submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/PP - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Chris Fawcett submission of 11 June 2021

PE1864/QQ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Jane Dickson submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/RR - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

John Chapman submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/SS - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Fiona Ainslie submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/TT - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alison Chapman submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/UU - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Rowland Shallcross submission of 12 June 2021

PE1864/VV - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

David Scott submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/WW - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Patricia Brander submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/XX - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alison and Paul Garrod submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/YY - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

James Taylor submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/ZZ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Bob Chicken submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/AAA - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Simon Arnold submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/BBB - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Norrie McLeod submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/CCC - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Lorna McClean submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/DDD - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Lyndsey Ward submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/EEE - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Dr Guy Vernham submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/FFF - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Elizabeth and Ian Richardson submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/GGG - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Frank Hay submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/HHH - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Mary Young submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/III - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Chris Walsh submission of 13 June 2021

PE1864/JJJ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Kathrin Haltiner submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/KKK - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Stephen Mardon submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/LLL - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Mrs S McKenzie submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/MMM - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Moscow and Waterside Community Council submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/NNN - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Margaret Addo submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/OOO - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

John Scott submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/PPP - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Jim Pratt submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/QQQ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

H Menhinick on behalf of Dailly Community Council submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/RRR - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Gladys Speirs submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/SSS - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Gilian Macpherson submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/TTT - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Fiona Clubb submission of 14 June 2021

PE1864/UUU - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

David Slater submission of 15 June 2021

PE1864/VVV - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Geraldine Hamilton submission of 16 June 2021

PE1864/WWW - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Celia Strain submission of 16 June 2021

PE1864/XXX - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Alistair Buckoke submission of 17 June 2021

PE1864/YYY - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Bruce Hobbs submission of 17 June 2021

PE1864/ZZZ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Joy Kendall submission of 22 June 2021

PE1864/AAAA - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Charmaine Dean and Stewart Baillie submission of 23 June 2021

PE1864/BBBB - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Tim Harrison submission of 23 June 2021

PE1864/CCCC - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Marion Lang submission of 27 June 2021

PE1864/DDDD - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Nigel A R Willis submission of 28 June 2021

PE1864/EEEE - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Keith and Margaret Mycock submission of 26 July 2021

PE1864/FFFF - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Sandra Cunliffe submission of 26 July 2021

PE1864/GGGG - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Roger Hissett submission of 26 July 2021

PE1864/HHHH - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Brian Wade submission of 26 July 2021

PE1864/IIII - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Graham Lang submission of 27 July 2021

PE1864/JJJJ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Mr and Mrs Spratling submission of 28 July 2021

PE1864/KKKK - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Peter A Kew submission of 28 July 2021

PE1864/LLLL - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Ian Dippie submission of 28 July 2021

PE1864/MMMM - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Kim Terry submission of 3 August 2021

PE1864/NNNN - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Marion Milliner submission of 3 August 2021

PE1864/OOOO - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Joyce Miller submission of 3 August 2021

PE1864/PPPP - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Aileen Jackson submission of 3 August 2021

PE1864/QQQQ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Hugh Ligat submission of 10 August 2021

PE1864/RRRR - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Chahna Sudevan submission of 10 August 2021

PE1864/SSSS - Increase the ability of communities to influence decisions for onshore wind farms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Christopher Ford submission of 18 August 2021

PE1864/TTTT: Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Carole Williams submission of 18 August 2021

PE1864/UUUU: Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Corsock & Kirkpatrick Durham Community Council submission of 23 August 2021

PE1864/VVVV: Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Audra MacPhee submission of 29 September 2021

PE1864/YYYY: Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms

Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee

Scottish Renewables submission of 4 October 2021

PE1864/ZZZZ - Increase the ability of communities to influence planning decisions for onshore windfarms