Planning: Key Agencies Group

Overview

The Key Agencies Group was established in 2008 and comprises a group of public bodies that are recognised as supporting the delivery of culture change in land use planning through improved joint working.  Our aim is to work together to deliver great places for Scotland.

The focus of our activity is to support the delivery of the four themes identified in (draft) National Planning Framework 4 (sustainable, liveable, productive and distinctive places) in a way that aligns strongly with the National Performance Framework vision and outcomes. We will achieve this through place-based collaboration in line with the Place Principle.  

More information about our objectives, approach and how we operate are set out in our terms of reference.

The video below further describes the role of the group:
 

Meetings

The group meets quarterly to review our progress under our committed targets and seeks to engage with all sectors in the planning system. The group has a number of core commitments, focused around:

• providing clear and practical planning advice and policies
• identifying areas to improve culture change
• working together on development plan engagement
• supporting the delivery of culture change through improved joint working
• promoting pre-application discussions
• developing skills across the various sectors to improve performance
• engaging with planners, developers, trade bodies and Scottish Government

Minutes of the meetings are in the 'Documents' section at the bottom of this page.

Previous minutes of the Key Agencies Group are available in our website archive. 

Planning performance reports

Several members of the Key Agencies Group prepare annual planning performance reports detailing their engagement in the planning system for the current year:

• Architecture and Design Scotland: planning performance framework report 2018-19
• Historic Environment Scotland: planning performance framework report 2018-19
• Scottish Natural Heritage: planning performance framework report 2018-19
• SEPA: planning performance framework report 2018-2019
• Architecture & Design Scotland: planning performance framework report 2019-20
• Historic Environment Scotland: planning performance framework report 2019-20
• Nature Scot Heritage: planning performance framework report 2019-20
• SEPA: planning performance framework report 2019-20

Each year the Key Agencies also come together for a peer-review session and the preparation of a joint statement on planning performance:

• Key Agencies Group: joint statement on planning performance 2017-2018

Group statements

• National Planning Framework 4 - Key Agencies Group position statement consultation
• National Planning Framework 4: Key Agencies Group - position statement
• Proposed amendments to Scottish Planning Policy: Key Agencies Group joint statement
• National Planning Framework 4 - call for ideas: Key Agencies Group response
• Key Agencies Planning Group offer: green recovery
• Planning (Scotland) Bill masterplan consent areas: Key Agencies Group joint statement
• Key Agencies Planning Group: supporting a green recovery offer August 2020
• Key Agencies Group: purpose and frequently asked questions 2019

Members

The group comprises a number of Key Agencies and other organisations which play a role in supporting the development plan process. 

Planning regulations define Key Agencies as:

• Scottish Natural Heritage
• Historic Environment Scotland
• The Scottish Environment Protection Agency
• Scottish Water
• Scottish Enterprise (only in its area of jurisdiction)
• Highland and Islands Enterprise (only in its area of jurisdiction)
• Regional Transport Partnerships (only in relevant areas of jurisdiction)
• Crofters Commission (only in crofting counties)
• Health Boards

While legislation cannot specify them individually, the following bodies should have the same level of involvement in the development plan process:

• Transport Scotland
• Scottish Forestry 
• Marine Scotland
• Architecture and Design Scotland

The group also works in partnership with a number of other organisations that support the planning system, including:

• COSLA
• British Geological Survey
• SportScotland
• Visit Scotland
• Improvement Service
• Planning Aid Scotland

Publications