Reform planning rules for domestic renewables

There are a number of comments on the various ideas here discussing issues surrounding obtaining planning permission for renewables.

This either comes down to restrictions (which may or may be reasonable) but also down to obtaining information on what is allowed in local authorities.

To resolve this I suggest.

1. Have a Scotland wide set of rules for renewables that is easily accessible to everyone. In plain English so that the average person can understand these.
2. Allow local authorities to apply to exceptions to these rules in special cases (such as conservation areas) but otherwise prevent them from rejecting schemes (to prevent NIMBYs).
3. Have a streamlined planning process for renewables and mandate that forms etc. have to be easily accessible and not behind a door saying "beware of the tiger".
4. Have a streamlined appeals process.

There is a real problem with NIMBYism in a lot of areas which delays planning projects for no good reason.

The planning system is controlled by a set of local councillors who often will bend to the will of local groups to protect themselves for re-election rather than do what is right for the community as a whole.

Making the planning system clear would go someway to ensuring that people are confident that decisions made regarding planning are for good, valid reasons and not down to NIMBYism.