Planning is absolutely vital to creating the vibrant Glasgow we all want, where our natural and historic environments are protected for future generations.Cllr Jon Molyneux
Greens in Glasgow are urging fellow Councillors to back a major change to the planning system which would give local people the right to appeal planning decisions for the first time.
A Green Party motion to be debated by Glasgow City Council on 17 May calls for an ‘equal right of appeal’ to be added to the Planning (Scotland) Bill, which is currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament.
The Scottish Government has up to now resisted calls for the measure, which would limit how applicants can appeal planning decisions as well as giving new rights to local communities. Greens say this would strengthen local democracy by reducing the number of appeals to Scottish Ministers and would ensure that planning operates in the wider public interest.
Green Councillor Jon Molyneux, who will propose the motion, said:
“Planning is absolutely vital to creating the vibrant Glasgow we all want; one that has happy, healthy communities, where people can enjoy good housing, a range of local facilities, transport options that meet their needs, and where our natural and historic environments are protected for future generations.
“The Planning Bill going through the Scottish Parliament right now is a once-in-a-decade chance to overhaul the current system. Giving local people the same, limited appeal rights as developers is one simple and effective way the Bill could be really transformative.”
Councillor Tanya Wisely, who will second the motion, added:
"Our motion asks the Council to back calls for an equal right of appeal. Communities all over Scotland know that the system is stacked against them but the power to change this lies in the hands of Holyrood Ministers. By adding its voice to those of local people, Scotland's largest Council and planning authority would be sending a powerful signal in support of this progressive and long-overdue change."