Questions and answers

Question reference: S1W-12749

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to follow the advice given to local authorities in paragraph 75 of National Planning Policy Guidelines No.1 (revised 2000) itself, particularly in relation to notifiable applications and notices of intention to develop, its own decisions on calling in the said applications and notices, the decisions and recommendations of its Inquiry Reporters' Unit on called in or appealed planning decisions and its own decisions on structure and local plans.

Question reference: S1W-12757

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to review conflict resolution in the planning process with a view to devising more streamlined and less expensive mechanisms than the current system of public inquiry.

Question reference: S1W-12761

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit is subject to quinquennial review in line with Cabinet Office guidelines on executive agencies; if so, when it was last reviewed and when it is next due for review, and whether it proposes to review the unit's relationship with it as a consequence of the incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights into Scots law.

Question reference: S1W-12762

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any future review of the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit will include a consideration of possible options for environmental courts.

Question reference: S1W-12759

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the three options set out by the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture in his speech to the Royal Town Planning Institute, Scotland in November 2000 on strategic planning rule out the option of unitary development plans in any or all areas of Scotland.

Question reference: S1W-12668

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 19 January 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 21 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-9908 by Sarah Boyack on 29 September 2000, whether it will provide details of each planning application which was called in during the period 1996-97 to 1999-2000, specifying in each case whether the application was approved or refused.

The information is as follows:-Applications Called In During The Period 1996-97 To 1999-2000.

1 April 1996 to 31 March 1997
Council	Case	Status
Aberdeenshire	Extension Etc at Ardoe House Hotel, Banchory-Devenick	Approved
Aberdeenshire	Sheltered Flats at Raemoir Road, Banchory	Approved
Aberdeenshire	Telecommunications Mast Etc, Templars Park Maryculter	Withdrawn
Argyll & Bute	Windfarm at Tayinloan, Tarbert	Refused
City of Edinburgh	Cruise Liner Terminal at Leith Docks, Edinburgh	Approved.
City of Edinburgh	Mechanised Car Park at Dewar Place/Torphichen Street, Edinburgh	Refused.
Dumfries & Galloway	Dwellinghouse at Toppinghead, Kirkpatrick Fleming	Refused
Dumfries & Galloway	Sand and Gravel Works at East Challoch, Dunragit	Refused.
Highland	Rare Breeds Park at Fort Augustus	Refused
Highland	Wind Turbines at Gartymore, Helmsdale	Refused
Highland	Wind Turbines at West Garty, Helmsdale	Refused
Highland	Dwellinghouses at Fort Augustus	Withdrawn
Midlothian	Dwellinghouse and Workshop at Windy Hollow, Roslin Glen	Refused.
Midlothian	Dwellinghouse at Pentland Road, Lothianburn	Refused.
Midlothian	Sale of Christmas Trees at Petrol Station, Hillend, Lothianburn	Approved
North Lanarkshire	Motorway Service Area, Bargeddie, Coatbridge	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Motorway Service Area, Braehead, Coatbridge	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Motorway Service Area, Braehead, Coatbridge	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Newmains	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Bargeddie, Coatbridge	Approved
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Mount Ellen Golf Club, Gartcosh	Refused
Perth & Kinross	Conversion of Disused Farm Dairy/Power Station to Dairy at Kinfauns Home Farm, Kinfauns.	Withdrawn
Perth & Kinross	Factory Outlet Centre Etc at Levenfields, Kinross	Refused.
Renfrewshire	Retail Store at Hillington (IKEA)	Refused
Shetland	Dwellinghouse at Sandwick	Refused
Shetland	Dwellinghouse at Tingwall	Refused
South Lanarkshire	Housing at Torheads Farm, Hamilton	Approved
South Lanarkshire	Housing at Shott Farm, Hamilton	Refused
Stirling	Erection of Travel Lodge at Inns Of Balhaldie, Dunblane	Withdrawn.
Stirling	Office Buildings Etc, Drip Road, Craigforth, Stirling	Approved.
Total	30	% Refused = 63

1 April 1997 to 31 March 1998
Council	Case	Status
Aberdeen City	Sand and Gravel Works, Mill Of Dyce, Aberdeen	Approved.
Aberdeen City	Extension to Altens Industrial Estate, Aberdeen	Approved
City of Edinburgh	Residential Development, Milton Road East, Edinburgh	Approved.
City of Edinburgh	Mixed Use Development at Newbridge Industrial Estate	Approved.
Dundee	Mixed Use Development, Victoria and Camperdown Docks, Dundee	Approved.
East Ayrshire	Motorway Service Area, Kingswell, Fenwick	Withdrawn
East Ayrshire	Motorway Service Area, Harelaw, Fenwick	PLI Awaited
East Ayrshire	Retail (Pets etc), Queens Drive, Kilmarnock	Refused
East Renfrewshire	Tennis/Fitness Club, Newton Mearns	Refused
Falkirk	Factory Outlet Centre at Gilston, Polmont	Refused.
Falkirk	Mixed Use Development at Gilston, Polmont	Refused.
Glasgow	Retail (Pets etc), Crown Street, Glasgow	Refused
Glasgow	Retail (Pets etc), Cogan Street, Glasgow	Refused
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Achnaluin, Morar	Refused
Highland	Access to proposed windfarm, Gartymore	Refused
Highland	Retail Store at Alness	Refused
Highland	Change of Use of Barn, Breakish, Skye	Refused
Highland	Rare Breeds Park, Fort Augustus	Approved
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Earlish, Portree	Withdrawn
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Latheron	Approved
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Lagganbridge	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Allison Place, Gartcosh	Approved
North Lanarkshire	Retail Warehouse at Newhouse	Withdrawn
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Kilsyth	Withdrawn
North Lanarkshire	Opencast Coal Extraction at Greengairs	Approved
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Murdostoun Castle Estate	Refused
Perth & Kinross	Proposed Dairy at Kinfauns, Perth	Refused.
Perth & Kinross	High Amenity Business Park, Turfhills, Kinross	Refused.
Renfrewshire	Sale of Toys, Abbotsinch Retail Park	Refused
South Lanarkshire	Dual Carriageway, Hamilton	Approved
South Lanarkshire	Housing at Bothwell Bank Farm,Bothwell	Refused
South Lanarkshire	Housing at Blantyre	Approved
South Lanarkshire	Housing at Sovereign's Gate, Bothwell	Refused
Stirling	Dwellinghouse at Inns Of Balhaldie, Dunblane	Refused.
Total	34	% Refused = 53

1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999
Council	Case	Status
Aberdeen City	Housing at Auchmill Road, Bucksburn	Withdrawn.
Aberdeenshire	Mini Motorbike Track Etc, Blackdog, Bridge Of Don	Approved.
Aberdeenshire	Fishing Hut at Bridgemill, Northwaterside	Approved.
Argyll & Bute	Travel Lodge/Restaurant at Tarbert	Withdrawn
Argyll & Bute	New Access for Travel Lodge etc, Tarbert	Withdrawn
City of Edinburgh	Access Ramp Etc at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh	Refused.
City of Edinburgh	Industrial/Storage Units, Cliftonhall Road, Newbridge	Approved.
City of Edinburgh	Underground Retail Development, Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh	Refused.
City of Edinburgh	Extension to Gyle Centre - Wimpey Uk, The Gyle, Edinburgh	Approved.
City of Edinburgh	Extension to Gyle Centre - Marks And Spencer, The Gyle, Edinburgh	Approved.
Dumfries & Galloway	Retail Development Etc, Cuckoo Bridge, Dumfries	Approved.
Dumfries & Galloway	Factory Outlet Centre, Hammerlands, Dumfries	Refused.
East Dunbartonshire	Travelling people site at Milngavie	Intention to approve
East Renfrewshire	Primary School at Newton Mearns	Approved
Fife	Opencast Coal Extraction at Thornton	Approved
Glasgow	Retail Units etc art Robroyston	Refused
Glasgow	Housing at former St Augustine's School	Approved
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Kyle of Lochalsh	Withdrawn
Highland	Dwellinghouses (3) at Corrychurrachan, Onich	Refused
Highland	Extension to Hotel, Kingussie	Approved
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Inverness	Withdrawn
North Ayrshire	Landfill Site at Bogside, Irvine	Approved
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Glenmavis	Approved
North Lanarkshire	Dwellinghouse at Bogside, Newmains	Withdrawn
Perth & Kinross	Doctors Surgery, Dalginross, Comrie	Withdrawn.
Scottish Borders	Extension/Change of Use of Guesthouse, Hundalee House, Jedburgh	Refused.
South Lanarkshire	Servicing Area, Hamilton	Approved
Shetland	Dwellinghouse at Port Arthur	Refused
Shetland	Dwellinghouse at Bigton	Refused
West Lothian	Retail, Leisure, Recreational Development, Westwood, West Calder	Refused.
Total	30	% Refused = 30

1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000
Council	Case	Status
Aberdeenshire	Erection Of House at Cairntawie Wood, Kininmouth	Withdrawn.
Argyll & Bute	Housing and Country Park at Kilmahew Estate	Refused
Argyll & Bute	Information Centre, Cairndow	Refused
Dumfries & Galloway	Change of Use of Land from Agriculture to enable siting of Mobile Snack Bar, Henderland Cottage, Crocketford	Approved.
East Ayrshire	Conversion of Rowallan Castle, Kilmaurs	PLI held. Decision awaited
E Renfrew/S Lanark	Glasgow Southern Orbital Road	PLI Awaited
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Kingussie	Refused
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Latheron	Approved
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Clashmore	Approved
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Inverinate	Site inspection awaited
Highland	Dwellinghouses (2) at Ullapool	Approved
Highland	Dwellinghouse at Acnaluin	Refused
Inverclyde	Retail, Leisure etc, East Glen and Scott Lithgow Yards, Port Glasgow	Approved
Midlothian	60 Residential Units, Main Street, Roslin	Withdrawn.
Midlothian	Development of Former Hillend Filling Station	Refused.
Midlothian	Proposed Replacement Dwellinghouse at Woodcot, Gowkley Moss	Refused.
Midlothian	Proposed Biotechnology Park at Gowkley Moss Farm, Milton Bridge	Approved.
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Stepps	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Mount Ellen Golf Club, Gartcosh	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Dwellinghouse at Allanton, Shotts	Approved
North Lanarkshire	Dwellinghouse at Bogside, Wishaw	Approved
North Lanarkshire	Dwellinghouse at Allanton	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Dwellinghouses (3) at Glenboig	Withdrawn
North Lanarkshire	Housing at Torrance Park, Motherwell	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Dwellinghouses (3) at Qeenzieburn	Refused
North Lanarkshire	Dwellinghouses (2) at Harthill	Refused
Perth & Kinross	Camping/caravanning at Balado, Kinross	No PLI as yet at request of applicant
Scottish Borders	Alterations and Change of Use to Offices and Training Centre, Former Byre/Stables, Martinshouse, Hawick	PLI complete. Report awaited.
South Ayrshire	Retail etc at Bridgefield, Girvan	Withdrawn
South Ayrshire	Football stadium and retail, Ayr	Intention to approve stadium. Retail element refused
South Lanarkshire	Masterplan for Police Training Centre at Jackton	Withdrawn
South Lanarkshire	Police Training Centre at Jackton	Withdrawn
South Lanarkshire	Tennis and Fitness Centre at Jackton	Withdrawn
South Lanarkshire	Housing development at Jackton	Withdrawn
West Lothian	Extensions etc to Freeport Shopping and Leisure Village at Westwood, Near West Calder	Pre-Inquiry meeting arranged.
Total	35	% Refused = 34*

* Note: Percentage figure adjusted since Answer to S1W-09908 as a result of the determination of a number of outstanding applications.

Question reference: S1W-12045

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 8 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has withdrawn from participation in the road user charging trial at Hermiston Gait, Edinburgh and, if so, what alternative proposals it now has to assess the practicality of electronic charging schemes.

The direction of our policy has altered since Hermiston Gait on the M8 was identified in 1998 as a suitable location for research on inter-urban charging. We have made it clear that there will be no charges on existing trunk roads and motorways. The Executive will concentrate on supporting local authority initiatives and technology appropriate in line with the enabling powers in the Transport (Scotland) Bill for urban situations. Hermiston Gait will not now be included in the DETR research. My reply to question S1W-12046 sets out a programme of research on road user charging from which the Executive expects to benefit.

Question reference: S1W-12046

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 14 December 2000
Current Status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 8 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline all research commissioned or about to be commissioned into the development and implications of local urban road charging schemes.

Question reference: S1W-12756

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 6 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive why research into updating the law on compulsory purchase in Scotland due in 1999 is not yet ready and what steps it has taken since 1 July 1999 to strengthen research into planning in Scotland and to reduce any dependency for research and policy development on the Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

The compulsory purchase research has now been completed and will be published shortly.

The Scottish Office already had its own planning research programme prior to 1 July 1999 to help develop and evaluate policy decisions. Details of the planning research programme are included in the Development Department Research Programme which is published annually in March and is available on the Executive's website (http://www.scotland.gov.uk/cru/).We liaise with colleagues in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department of the Environment Northern Ireland and the National Assembly for Wales, but ultimately we have responsibility for developing our own research priorities.

Question reference: S1W-12747

Asked by: Murray Tosh, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 23 January 2001
Current Status: Answered by Sam Galbraith on 6 February 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what audit has taken place, or is proposed, to assess the effectiveness of local authorities in involving the public and relevant community and interest groups in the planning process.

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