ACSEF (Aberdeen City and Shire Economic Future) is to launch its first Planning Modernisation Forum to announce the joined-up approach to speeding up the planning process.

The public private sector partnership, which drives economic development in the region, has outlined its steps towards improving the planning decision-making process, one of its key priorities in achieving economic growth and an enhanced quality of life for Aberdeen City and Shire.

Details of the progress will be announced at the Planning Modernisation Forum to be held at 4.30pm on 24 March 2010 in the AECC.

The Planning Modernisation Forum is a newly established consultative body, open to anyone involved with or affected by the planning process. The forum will meet three times per year to build on the progress being made by ACSEF’s Plannning Modernisation Group (PMG).

The PMG now comprises 14 members representing Councillors, planning officials, developers, property agents and infrastructure experts. This group will focus on improving communication around the planning process, promoting best practice in planning and delivering a series of seminars of getting the best out of the planning system through meaningful engagement.

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Members of the PMG will drive forward actions and initiatives around these areas and provide regular progress reports.

The PMG is led by ACSEF partner, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, and chaired by its chief executive, Bob Collier. He said: "The group brings together key people involved in planning to effect a real culture change that will ultimately enhance the planning process both for those seeking planning decisions and those making them.

"An inefficient planning system is a major barrier to our economic growth and ACSEF aims to ensure that there is a real understanding among the development community and the planners so that joined-up working relationships can resolve some of the issue before they start to impact negatively on our ability to grow."

Derrick Thomson, director of Scotia Homes and a member of the PMG commented: "The Scottish Government's move to modernise the planning system has to be applauded. Ultimately it's all about delivering innovative and distinctive communities that will truly stand the test of time. Putting communities back at the heart of this process is absolutely the right way forward. ACSEF has created an excellent platform for discussion and debate amongst all the stakeholders, but it is imperative that all those who sit on this group and who have the power to shape change actually turn our words into actions."

ACSEF has also produced a guide on recent changes to the planning system. Produced in association with Knight Frank, this leaflet gives landowners, developers, agents and the public an "at a glance" review of the new planning hierarchy, pre-application requirements and new application procedures.