FAQs
What is a Charrette?
A Charrette is a form of intensive and focused community engagement. Over a number of consecutive days a series of workshops are held where the public, designers and consultants work together to explore design options for an area. The aim of the Charrette process is to capture the vision, values, and ideas of the community. Each day the design team works to produce masterplan options and designs that can then be tested through workshops the next day.
Who led the SSCI Scotland Charrette series?
The Lochgelly Charrette was part of a Scotland Charrette that is being promoted by the Scottish Government. The Scotland Charrette will be led by Andrés Duany an internationally recognised designer, who is a founder of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ). DPZ has completed designs for almost 300 new towns, regional plans, and community revitalization projects across the world. The firm’s method of combining planning with relevant design codes is being applied in towns and cities throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. The sites range in size from 10 to over 500,000 acres. He has delivered hundreds of lectures and seminars, addressing architects, planning groups, university students, and the general public. DPZ have extensive experience of organising Charrettes including a number in the UK, one of which was at Tornagrain in the Highlands.
How does the Charrette fit within the planning process?
The Fife Structure Plan and Mid Fife Local Plan propose that Lochgelly should be expanded through the development of 1,750 houses, 25 hectares of new employment land, open space and community facilities,
Public engagement and consultation is required as part of the Local Plan process. The Charrette will form an additional part of the public engagement and consultation for the Mid Fife Local Plan. It will also contribute to the masterplan process for development areas identified in the local plan.
What happens if the results from the Charrette do not comply with the Fife Structure Plan?
The results from the Charrette must comply with the approved Fife Structure Plan.
What happens if the results from the Charrette do not comply with the Mid Fife Local Plan as modified through the Pre Examination Modifications?
There can be no guarantee that the Charrette will result in the same layout as those in the Local Plan but there may be much in common. If that is the case, the Charrette will broadly be in line with the Local plan. If there is a significant difference, the Council will need to take account of the changes and take account of the community involvement that will have led to those changes. The Council intend to submit the report from the Charrette to the Scottish Government as part of the Local Plan examination papers. It should be remembered that the number of houses and amount of employment land is fixed as a requirement of the Structure Plan.
How will objections to the Mid Fife Local Plan be dealt with through the Charrette?
The Charrette is considering design options for the Lochgelly Strategic Land Allocation and Town Centre. It is not the role of the Charrette to look at objections to the draft Mid Fife Local Plan. Objections will be considered at an Examination. However, the Charrette is an open process where alternative options could be tested.
What is the Examination?
Any issues and objections that people have raised against the Mid Fife Local Plan will be discussed at an examination held by a person appointed by Scottish Ministers. Fife Council must take notice of the findings of the examination before adopting the Local Plan.
Will there be further consultation on the results from the Charrette before they go before the reporter for the Examination on the Local Plan?
It is not the intention to have any further consultation on the results from the Charrette.
Will the results from the Charrette be endorsed by Fife Council?
The Council will need to take account of the Charrette and of the community involvement that will have led to those changes. The Council will present a report on the outcome of the Charrette to the Planning Committee.
What happens if Fife Council do not agree with some of the results from the Charrette?
If that happens, the Council will explain why it takes a different view.
Will the results from the Charrette be subject to Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)?
If the results of the Charrette lead to a complete change in the local plan position for the Strategic Land Allocation then these changes may require a SEA. SEA has already been completed for the Structure and Local Plans. Later development proposals that are not included in the plans will be screened to decide if they need to be covered by environmental impact assessment.
