Planning agents working in Argyll and Bute are being encouraged to sign up for an event organised to help them understand imminent changes to national legislation.
The Council has organised a seminar to bring agents up to speed with the requirements of the new Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006, which comes into force on August 3.
The seminar – entitled Modernisation of the Planning System – is being held at the Council Chambers, Kilmory from 10.30am on Wednesday, July 15.
However, despite sending out more than 300 invitations to the event, only a fraction of agents have so far responded.
Planning officers are concerned that there could be a significant number of invalid applications submitted after August 3 if agents are not familiar with the new requirements.
The seminar is one of a series of events which the Council has arranged as part of its commitment to prepare all parties with an interest in the planning system for the new ways of working.
Councillor Daniel Kelly, Chair of the Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee, urged agents to attend if at all possible.
“The requirements of the new legislation are far-reaching, and come into effect in just a few weeks’ time,” he added.
“I would encourage all architects and other agents to take advantage of this event to bring them up to speed with what will be significant changes to the application process.
“The Council does not want to have to send back a significant number of applications made after August 3 simply because they do not conform to the new regulations.”
Issues to be covered at the seminar include:
- The new Hierarchy of Development
- Pre-application consultation
- Design and Access Statements
- New Planning Application Types and their requirements
Planning officers will also take the opportunity to once again encourage agents to use the current facility to submit planning applications online through the Scottish Government’s e-planning website at www.planning.scotland.gov.uk
Leaflets on the new legislation will be available to take away on the day of the seminar.
Information on this subject is already available on the Council’s website at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/content/planning/3278141/
If you want to submit a letter please 
