PRESS RELEASE

March 18th, 2009

Community councils must be heard

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil fears the area’s community councils are being kept in the dark over planning consultations.

The councils all over Scotland are contacted about planning consultations through e-alerts from the Scottish Government.

But Mr McNeil has discovered that just one of Inverclyde’s 10 community councils have signed up to the updates since they were introduced in 2007.

That lack of awareness is reflected throughout Scotland and just 10 per cent of community councils are receiving the e-alerts.

Mr McNeil has criticised the Scottish Government for failing to engage with the local groups and denying them the opportunity to express their views on proposed legislation.

The most recent is the Householder Development Permitted Rights Consultation, which includes proposals to allow householders to build extensions without planning permission.

He said: “Planning issues are a frequent subject of debate at community council meetings and I am disappointed to learn the Scottish Government has adopted such a half-hearted approach to enabling communities to have their say.

“Community councillors clearly want to get involved in the community process and I am writing to them to ensure they are voices are heard in the future.”

ENDS