David McAllister argues that the planning system can be used to build better communities
Loneliness and social isolation is a hugely challenging issue in Scottish society - particularly given our ageing population and population density in rural and island communities.
However, whilst there is a strong understanding of many of its causes, we’ve historically not been very strategic in developing the right solutions.
Not many people would automatically think of turning to the planning system when considering responses to this issue, but a more holistic placemaking approach to planning unlocks our ability to think about we how build communities rather than just houses, roads and schools.
Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) is Scotland’s leading place and active citizenship charity. We believe creating great places, together with communities all across Scotland, is crucial for our physical, mental, social and economic well-being.
A more holistic approach to planning unlocks our ability to think about we how build communities rather than just houses
David McAllister
We want to see a planning system that is inclusive, positive and innovative, and our role is to empower communities to be active citizens in their own places through education and advice, awareness raising, and facilitating positive dialogue.
In light of a recent conference we hosted in Glasgow, Loneliness and Isolation – Planning a Solution, PAS responded to the Scottish Government’s recent Connected Scotland consultation on tackling social isolation and loneliness.
In our response, we have sought to highlight the importance of thinking of the planning system as a crucial enabler in the development and delivery of policy solutions.
The planning system is much more than just deciding how many houses to build, or the guidelines for a house extension.
Our plan-led system allows us to have a conversation at the local level about the services and infrastructure we want and need for the future - it’s fundamentally about creating communities.
Moreover, important changes coming to the planning system through the Scottish Government’s planning bill will enable us to ensure tackling social isolation and loneliness is part of that conversation led by local people.
It is an obvious, but often misunderstood, point that by ensuring we consider how we can bring people together through our community infrastructure can have a huge impact on levels of social interaction at a local level.
For example, do our communities have sufficient green space? Are there sufficient transport links and walking areas? Is there sufficient understanding of what is actually important in terms of social interaction at a local level by those most affected?
The statutory link between community and spatial planning suggested in the planning bill will be an enormous improvement on the status quo.
By aligning decisions about the long term use of our spaces with the needs of the local community as identified by community planning, of which levels of social isolation and loneliness must feature, we are in a much stronger position to realise better outcomes.
It is well-established when communities feel they have a voice in the future of their places, this impacts positively on well-being and happiness. Whilst the planning system has long been focused on achieving better public involvement and engendering trust, there is still a long way to go to achieve this, and to ensure seldom heard groups’ voices, such as those experiencing loneliness or isolation, are heard. Local Place Plans, and measures to improve the quality of community engagement, contained in the proposals present a new opportunity in this regard.
The planning system does not have all the answers when it comes to tackling social isolation and loneliness.
However, it can play an empowering, enabling role at a local level to ensure we are creating communities that maximise social interaction, and it’s crucial that the Scottish Government makes this connection as it develops its policy responses in the future.
David McAllister is communications manager at Planning Aid Scotland.
