The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) as a new proactive consenting mechanism. Falkirk Council will in future be able to prepare Masterplan Consent Area schemes as part of a placemaking approach to planning and consenting. It is a new way for the Council to shape new development in our area – enabling the type and quality of development we wish to come forward through a consenting masterplan, and to support delivery of development that can support local needs, priorities and outcomes.
Unlike planning applications which are typically led by a developer, the preparation of MCA schemes will be led by the planning authority but can be taken forward through collaboration. The new provisions will allow Falkirk Council to prepare a MCA 'Scheme' setting out for particular places, the detail of what they are giving consent for, through the MCA scheme. There will be requirements for publicity and consultation on individual schemes.
MCA schemes can streamline consent, allowing issues to be considered as part of a joined up approach, they can grant:
- planning permission,
- roads construction consent,
- listed building consent, and conservation area consent.
Within adopted MCA areas, development could be brought forward without the need for a full application as long as it is in line with the agreed scheme. More details about Masterplan Consent Areas are available in the Consultation Paper on the draft MCA Regulations – the Scottish Government’s consultation closed on 22 May 2024.
Consideration of the Duty to periodically consider making MCA schemes
As the Masterplan Consent Area regulations are not yet in place a full assessment of potential locations for an MCA scheme has not yet taken place. Falkirk Council recognises the potential for masterplan consent areas and is taking part in a pilot study to consider whether a masterplan consent area would be appropriate for the Grangemouth industrial cluster, to support growth, investment and net zero ambitions in this National Development and key component of the Forth Green Freeport. This study will be undertaken in partnership with SEPA, as part of wider work to test Outcome Based Collaborative Regulation (OBCR) models in the town. The Council will also consider the potential of MCAs to enable delivery of proposals which may emerge in due course through Falkirk LDP3.
This Statement fulfils the Council’s legal requirements under Schedule 5A Paragraph 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, as amended.