Glasgow City Council, Renfrewshire Council and MEPC Hillington Park have prepared and released a draft Simplified Planning Zone Scheme.

One of Scotland's largest business parks, Hillington Park, is south of the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Paisley. It straddles the joint administrative boundary with approximately 80% of the site within Renfrewshire Council's area and 20% in Glasgow City Council's area.

What is a Simplified Planning Zone?

A Simplified Planning Zone is an area where the need to apply for planning permission for certain types of development is removed so long as the development complies with the details and guidance set out in the Scheme. The SPZ Scheme deals with the planning issues 'up front' and confirms what type of development, and how much, is allowed.

Benefits of Hillington Park SPZ Scheme

It aims to encourage investment in the park and deliver sustainable economic development through simplifying planning control. While the focus of the SPZ Scheme is on core business and employment uses the Scheme also recognises the opportunity to introduce further 'complementary uses' creating a more sustainable and attractive park for 21st century business investment; and, to diversify further development opportunities.

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The scheme provides greater certainty for developers and stakeholders. It removes the need for repetitive planning applications, covering the same range of planning issues, which will save time and cost for the existing organisations and new businesses looking to invest in the park. It will also benefit the councils by reducing the resources needed to manage development in this dynamic area.

An SPZ Scheme does not mean an abandonment of acceptable standards of development or care for the amenity of the built environment. These matters would still be addressed in the SPZ Scheme while offering flexibility to developers.

Preparing the SPZ Scheme

Pre-deposit

Scottish Ministers were notified of the intention to progress a SPZ Scheme for Hillington Park. A three week period of consultation with owners of land and property within the proposed SPZ area as well as Community Councils and statutory bodies such as Transport Scotland, SEPA and Scottish Natural Heritage ended on 19/02/14.

During the pre-deposit consultation period a public event was held at the Innovation Centre, Hillington Park on 06/02/14 to allow any interested party the opportunity to view supporting information and make comments on the proposals

Deposit (current stage in the process)

Following the receipt of comments at the pre-deposit stage the Hillington Park SPZ Scheme was prepared and has been placed on deposit for 6 weeks for consultation and comment. In line with the Town and Country Planning (Simplified Planning Zones) (Scotland) Regulations 1995 notice has been served on all parties who were previously consulted on the proposals to make a SPZ scheme for Hillington Park.

Consideration of Representations, Objections and Adoption of the Scheme

Finally, after consideration of representations and any relevant amendments, the Scheme will be "adopted". It then lasts for 10 years.

Draft SPZ Scheme - Deposit Consultation

A Draft Scheme has now been prepared and is on deposit. The Scheme is available for inspection at 45 John Street, Glasgow G1 1JU, or by using the council's online planning system (using reference 14/00024/DC).

Please submit any representations by 2 July 2014 using the online comments facility within the online planning system. As the Scheme would cross the joint administrative boundary, all responses received will be shared with Glasgow City Council.

(MH/CD)