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Case Studies |
Examples from Partners
Each of the countries involved in SusSET has a statutory development planning framework set out in legislation and governed at different levels of government. The common elements are as follows:
At a Nationallevel there is provision of a policy framework and national strategies as well as legislation and regulations. To differing degrees, the Minister responsible for long-term planning (it is described and classified in different ways in different countries) will ensure that national policies are followed in the development of national spatial and land use planning.
At a Regional level, roles vary slightly from country to country but, in some form, there is a Regional Development Programme, growth programme and/or infrastructure plans that set out, over a defined time period, the level of development and the infrastructure requirements to achieve goals.
In each case at the local level, municipalities, local councils are responsible for the formulation of plans and the determination of necessary permissions. This may involve the development and adoption of a local plan incorporating policies, defining where development can take place, and taking into consideration the rules and policies specified at a national level. Planning systems are based on the principle local self-government. There are differing levels of community involvement in the development of planning policies and programmes. This involvement and appeal possibilities can make the planning process take a long time.
Scotland
In the three towns in Scotland, pioneering long-term planning exercises have taken place beyond the requirements of the statutory planning system. These exercises looked at a possible scenario of 50% expansion over an undefined period, say 50-75 years depending on the predicted rate of growth. They took account of population forecasts, age and demographic trends, capacity of essential infrastructure such as roads, transport systems, schools, medical facilities, the setting and landscape, and the ability to develop in certain areas. The exercises also involved community views. Taking account of all these factors, the resulting strategies proposed phasing development that concentrates on one particular area for a period of years before moving to another area. This would allow infrastructure and community facilities to better cope with the demands of increased population and employment. Although theoretical exercises, these will then be used to inform the production of the statutory ‘Structure Plan’ and ‘Local Plan’. (The Structure Plan is a regional plan and allocates a certain level of development e.g. residential and/or employment to a particular town or area. The Local Plan would then identify individual sites for this development to take place).
Ellon
Project Title: Imagine Ellon
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Description: The Imagine Ellon project is the focus of this activity and serves as a model of Public consultation and engagement. High priority given to developing sustainable solutions.
Imagine Ellon explores the implications of continuing growth of Ellon, beyond the current Local Plan, by considering how to accommodate the expansion of Ellon’s housing stock by a hypothetical 50% from 2011 onwards (however long its takes for this growth to occur).
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Objectives:
The purpose of the study is to establish for Ellon, in the light of a long-term review of its potential for growth:
- A long-term framework for the critical land uses and distribution systems;
- An outline of the most sustainable framework for the critical land uses;
- An outline of the most sustainable framework for the critical distribution networks (transport, water, water etc.);
- Recommend thresholds or stages of development (including alternatives, if appropriate) leading towards the long-term framework; and
- An action plan, as necessary, to achieve the above.
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Process/Stages:
A draft study was prepared, having established the hypothetical population, under the following assessment headings:
Key Land Requirements - Housing
- Employment
- Retail
- Public Open Space and recreation
- Schools and medical facilities
Key Network requirements – Transport
-Fresh and waster water
Identifying opportunities within the settlement e.g brownfield development
Identifying key thresholds and constraint and how they can be overcome
As a result of this assessment sites were identified for housing, employment, community uses, and open space and assessed using a scoring system. The scoring system assessed each site against proximity to local services, proximity to the town centre, proximity to schools, proximity to public transport and main transport networks, to name a few. The most favourable sites were identified.
In the preparation of the draft study a number consultations were made both internally within the Council (e.g. Roads, Development Control, Landscape officer, education, archaeology etc) and external (Scottish Water, SEPA, NHS, NESBReC)
After preparing a draft study, it was approved by the Council’s Infrastructure and Services Committee to be put in the public domain for consultation. The public consultation process included:
- A stall at the Ellon gala day, where a planner was available to answer questions.
- Copies placed in the Local Library and Academy
- Copies available in Planning offices
- A copy posted on the Council’s Website
The Council received a number of comments as the result of the public consultation process, both supporting and objecting to the content of the study. These comments have been assessed and the final draft of the Capacity Study will be reported to the Formartine Area Committee once responses to the public consultation have been posted on the internet.
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Outcomes/Results: Ongoing
- The Capacity Study will be used to inform the production of future development plans.
- The Capacity Study has fed into an Enquiry By Design project that has looked in more detail at the developments in Ellon.
- Aberdeenshire Council Transport and Infrastructure have indicated that there is currently an issue with congestion in Ellon. Future studies should be undertaken in order to assess the impact of new development on existing road networks and what road improvements will be required
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Learning Points: On going
- Useful tool for identifying where future development would be best located.
- By highlighting sites with the best capacity for expansion of a town the information can be used as a tool for allocating development sites.
- Consultation responses should be fed into the study in a short period of time following the consultation period and responses should be posted on the Internet to allow those who commented to see responses to their comments.
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Contact Information:
Daniel Harrington 01224 664717 or email
James Wheater 01224 664267 or email |
Project Title: Development Studies
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The purpose of this activity is to establish the potential of using development briefs to promote commercial and other opportunities. The study will focus upon the process of preparation including how the community and other interests can be involved. Practical examples will be provided based upon the town centre and a major redevelopment opportunity site identified in the Development Plan. Attention will be given to presentation of the Briefs and evaluating their usefulness.
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Objectives:
The purpose of the studies are to
- Promoting specific development opportunities and can aid the creation of high quality development.
- In Aberdeenshire, development briefs show, in some detail, how the best possible development solution can be achieved for a site.
- Highlights the issues and constraints involved in development of the site and what Aberdeenshire Council require to be carried out in order to obtain planning permission.
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Process/Stages:
Initially consultations were made both internally within the Council (e.g. Roads, Development Control, Landscape officer, education, archaeology etc) and external (Scottish Water, SEPA, NHS, NESBReC)
Following this a draft study was prepared taking into account all comments received. The study is separated into 3 main sections:
- Purpose: Looks at background information to the town and the site and identifies the relevant planning policies
- Site Analysis: Looks at the existing uses on the site and all of the issues that will need to be considered in development of the site for example the current access.
- Key Site Requirements: Details the layout for the site based on the consultation responses and addresses all of the issues identified in the Site Analysis.
After preparing a draft study, it was approved by the Formartine Area Committee to be put in the public domain for consultation. The public consultation process included:
- Consultation letters sent out to the initial consultees, the community Council and the Ellon Business Initiative.
- Copies placed in the Local Library and Academy.
- Copies available in Planning offices.
- A copy posted on the Council’s Website.
The Council received a number of comments as the result of the public consultation process, both supporting and objecting to the content of the study. These comments were incorporated into the final study.
The final study was then presented to the Formartine Area Committee and was subsequently approved as supplementary planning guidance.
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Outcomes/Results: Ongoing
- Leaflets to promote these areas for development have been produced.
- Allow for ongoing research, and ability to update the development studies.
- It is too early to tell if the briefs have been of value to Ellon.
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Learning Points: On going
- Promotion of development studies consultation period could be more extensive: meetings with Community Council’s could be arranged to gain their views, clear advertisement on the Council’s website of the consultation period and advertisement on the towns website should take place.
- Although not always possible development studies would be best produced during the preparation of the development plan.
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Contact Information: Daniel Harrington 01224 664717 or email
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Inverurie
‘Inverurie 2020’ (and Uryside Development Framework)
In 2007/2008, Inverurie is undertaking a ‘capacity study’ to take a long-term view of the possible growth of the town, and the implications for land-use planning. It is a joint study with the neighbouring town of Kintore, as the development of each town has an impact on the other. The purpose of the study is to establish for the town:
- a long-term framework for future development, such as housing, business and industrial land, roads and other transport links, community infrastructure (such as schools, halls, parks, sports facilities);
- an outline of the most sustainable framework for these developments;
- an outline of the most sustainable framework for necessary infrastructure, such as transport, water, sewage, waste disposal, etc.;
- recommended thresholds or stages of development (including alternatives, if appropriate) which lead towards the long-term framework;
- an action plan to achieve the long-term framework.
This is a major piece of work, which has involved gathering a large amount of background information on population projections, traffic projections, landscape analysis, water and sewage information, flooding considerations, etc. Once that information is collected and analysed, it is put together into a draft strategy. The draft strategy, together with the key factors identified in the background is then published for public consultation and engagement, so that local people can consider and comment on a range of options. Their views are then taken into account in preparing the final long-term strategy which is put to Councillors for approval.
Stonehaven – ‘Imagine Stonehaven’
Objectives : To establish the capacity and feasibility of Stonehaven expanding by 50% over a non defined time period.
Process/Stages : Make key assumptions; Identify key land requirements; Identify key network requirements; Identify opportunities and constraints; Assess options ; Make recommendations
Outcomes/Results : Report identifying sites, capacity and phasing of future development.
Learning Points : (a) There is a fear that such an exercise opens the door for unacceptable levels of development. (b) The objectives and purpose of exercise have to be made clear and reinforced. (c) Getting the wider community engaged in a theoretical exercise is difficult, they will comment on firm proposals more than ideas. (d) Engaging youth in a very theoretical exercise is particularly challenging. (e) A long term development framework can be derived in a very sound and robust way to inform future development plans.
Contact Information :
William Munro, Area Manager, Kincardine and Mearns
Telephone: +44 (0) 01569 768200. Email
Report can be found in: www.britnett-carver.co.uk/susset/ (Stonehaven)
Sweden
Åmål – ‘Putting Åmål in the Centre’
Kungälv – ‘Kungälv Vision’ model
Strömstad – ‘Vision 2019’
(see respective town websites for above in 'Marketing and Promotion' component)
Poland
Hel – Urban Development Framework (see ‘Built Heritage’ component)
Puck – Urban Development Framework (see ‘Built Heritage’ component)
Greece
Aegion – Actions for the Area of Myrtia (see ‘Whole Town Strategy’ component)
Pyrgos – Urban Development of Kouvelos (see ‘Whole Town Strategy’ component)
Note: In each of the SusSET countries, there was concern about the time that the planning process can take and the perceived level of bureaucracy. There is therefore a conflict between involving the community and having appeal processes, and allowing development proposals to come forward and proceed promptly.
In each case, the planning processes and the study work carried out to support and inform the processes are quite complicated. This is in terms of legislation, guidance, different levels of government having different responsibilities, and all this makes it difficult for the public and the community to understand and engage fully. It also makes planning a fairly lengthy and time consuming process.
Examples from Elsewhere
Small Community Visioning Improvement Act (H.R. 3374), USA
- ‘Standardising Strategic Planning for Small Towns’
A new bill has been introduced into the United States federal government that improves long-term planning opportunities for small towns across the nation. The ‘Small Community Visioning Improvement Act’ was developed by Jack Space in conjunction with the American Society of Landscape Architects. It provides tools and funding for local authorities to set out long-term visions for towns with populations less than 25,000. In so doing, it would also standardise the approach to long-term visioning, by requiring applicants to provide evidence of:
- Appropriate measures for public inclusion and participation;
- Needs determination and assessment;
- Development of design options; and
- Implementation planning.
Emphasis is placed consensus planning and partnership building between public authorities, local residents, voluntary organisations and private investors. The bill would expand the role of a ‘planner’ as a regulator to formally include more creative and design-oriented skills development.
www.asla.org/members/publicaffairs/pdf/HR3374.pdf
Mildura Rural City Council ( Victoria, Australia)
- ‘Community Long-Term Financial Planning’
Over the last four years, a long-term financial modelling initiative has proved successful for the Mildura Rural City Council. Financial modelling allowed the Council to examine the long-term efficiency of various Council services. Streamlining services, where appropriate, has significantly reduced overhead costs. As a result, funding has been released for future investment back into the community. Benefits to the community include:
- $4 million grant programme for Mildura’s Arts Precinct;
- $1.25 million investment for development of community facilities along the waterfront; and
- $19.233 million capital works programme for infrastructure improvements.
The modelling initiative has also allowed the Council to cap rate rises at 5% per annum. Local residents are now receiving higher quality and more diverse Council services and paying less money than residents in other Council areas.
www.mildura.vic.gov.au/page/PagePrint.asp?Page_Id=1983
Principal Contacts
Ecoplan International, Inc. www.ecoplan.ca
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) www.asla.org
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