Housing interests

It was interesting to read that June Gilles, partner at Davidson Chalmers solicitors, claimed that equal rights of planning appeal for communities in Scotland could “seriously delay housing delivery” (Scotsman, 13 February).

There is no evidence to suggest that equal rights of appeal would cause such delays, however, this remains a common claim from the development industry.

The only academic research into this subject was completed by Professor Geraint Ellis of Queen’s University Belfast whose conclusions were based on detailed statistical analysis of the Irish planning system. His research has since been published in top, peer- reviewed journals.

Speaking at the Progressive Planning event held at the Scottish Parliament in September 2016 Professor Ellis stated: “The planning system in the Republic of Ireland has had a wide third party right of appeal since it was established in 1963 (as have many other countries, in different forms).

“This is interesting to examine as this suggests that the common arguments against Equal Right of Appeal are not experienced in practice. These include the suggestion that ERA would discourage investment and make Scotland uncompetitive; that they would slow down the planning system; that they would introduce a huge level of red tape or that they would be a NIMBYS charter.

“This is not recognisable from the Irish system. The Irish experience suggests that you can still have a buoyant, property-led economy, with third party rights of appeal.

“Clearly the appeals system has to be well managed and efficient, but this is true of whether we have Equal Rights of Appeal or not.”

I would suggest that Ms Gilles and those within the development industry must broaden their horizons and accept that a more equal and fair planning system will benefit all stakeholders in the long term. MR MICHAEL ADAMS Aboyne, Aberdeenshire