New planning regulations have come into force for Scotland, as all temporary legislative provisions introduced as a result of COVID-19 finished at the end of September. These measures included extensions to planning permission and listed building consents, as well as the suspensions of the need for physical public events in respect of pre-application consultation.
New planning legislation came into force on the 1 October 2022 for pre-application consultation for ‘national’ and ‘major’ developments The new legislation requires a minimum of two face to face public events held at least 14 days apart and also prescribes the content of a pre-application consultation report to be submitted in support of the planning application.
For the same date there are new planning regulations on the duration of planning permissions and planning permissions in principle and changes to the timings for approval of matters.
Similar measures for England expired on 31st December 2021.
A report by the RTPI in 2022 – The Future of Engagement – suggested that digital engagement should be a key part of any large-scale engagement programme after the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted that moving consultation online during the pandemic “created an expectation with the public that these options will be available after the pandemic.”
As COVID-19 restrictions have eased, ‘hybrid’ has emerged. Used more commonly to describe working patterns, it has also been coined to describe an engagement approach which blends face to face in-person opportunities alongside digital options. For ethical partnership this feels very much like business as usual.
“COVID-19 was hard on traditional community engagement, we lost the ability for face to face in person events, a stalwart as part of our hybrid approach for years. We turned to innovative digital solutions designed to replace face to face events, these were welcolmed by some but left others dissatisfied. In person communication remains more efficient than technology at building trust; allowing the free exchange of ideas, instant clarification and validating of emotions.
We welcome the legislative thrust and advocacy for a return to face to face in person events – COVID-19 has taught us that these remain a valuable tool but critically as part of a hybrid approach.”
Becky Greenhill, Senior Communications and Engagement Consultant at ethical partnership
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