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Watch our conference video

Thanks to everyone who came to our conference and who engaged in such a positive way. It was a great success and we enjoyed meeting so many of you from all over Scotland and hearing your experiences and thoughts. We … Continue reading

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Re-valuing Public Participation – discussion report

We’re really pleased to launch the ‘discussion draft’ of our report Re-valuing Public Participation at our 2012 conference today. Click to download the full report or the summary. We have been investigating the way the newly reformed planning system is … Continue reading

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Six reasons to come to our conference

We think there are lots of reasons to come to our first major conference in Edinburgh this Saturday 21st April but here’s a selection of six, all related to our workshops designed to help you: Work together with us for … Continue reading

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Tweeting Our Conference

We are encouraging people to share their ideas before and during the conference next Saturday 21st April using twitter. Tweet using the hashtag #pdconf Help spread the word and encourage people into the conference discussions online!

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Opening up our right of appeal

When the Government, Councils and public bodies are making decisions about things that affect our lives they are often bound by procedures for making such decisions. These procedures exist to prevent arbitrary decisions by people in power and to safeguard … Continue reading

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Local democracy and national developments

Earlier this month North Ayrshire Council voted to remove all references to Hunterston power station from the first draft of its development plan. This was following numerous objections it received during consultation – it sounds like they are listening to … Continue reading

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Why is NIMBY such a popular term nowadays?

I was reading some interesting stuff about planning south of the border and came across a comment by Michael Gove which stated that “When it comes to reforming planning laws in order to allow companies to expand, he [David Cameron] made … Continue reading

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So… what are Masterplans?

I’ve learnt lots about planning over the past few years but masterplans are one thing I’ve just never got my head around. They are clearly very influential – one local to me, the Caltongate masterplan in Edinburgh, has been recently … Continue reading

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Limekilns’ public local inquiry

It’s two weeks in, four to go for Limekilns’ public local inquiry into the proposed container terminal at Rosyth dock. The community council are coordinating the local citizen’s under the Residents for Responsible Development banner and are keeping a daily … Continue reading

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What should I call you?

I’ve heard of plenty conferences in Edinburgh discussing how the 2006 planning reforms are ‘bedding down‘ for local authorities and affecting developers. But I, and Planning Democracy, are interested in how the reforms are affecting the large group of people … Continue reading

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