Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement

Given the range of competing private, community, and government interests, conflict and differences of view are inevitable. Mediation can be used to help build bridges between stakeholders and explore, reduce, or resolve issues of dispute. See guidance on the promotion and use of mediation in the Scottish planning system.

Mediation has the potential benefits of opening up communication, improving relationships, and encouraging a way to move forward from disputes, however, this does not guarantee dispute resolution or an agreement between parties. It is a voluntary process and be facilitated either by an impartial third party or through ‘informal mediation’ where planners and other relevant stakeholders take a mediation-style/facilitatory approach in their work. We will have regard to any requests for the use of mediation through the consultation process of the Participation Statement.

Where we have been requested to enter into mediation during the local development plan process, each case will be considered on its individual merits.