Planning and architecture
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National Planning Framework 4
National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is our national spatial strategy for Scotland. It sets out our spatial principles, regional priorities, national developments and national planning policy. It should be read as a whole and replaces NPF3 and Scottish Planning Policy.
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Flexible planning rules
New measures to boost hospitality and town centre recovery.
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Planning and environmental appeals: quarterly performance statistics
Quarterly performance statistics for Planning and Environmental Appeals.
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Planning for net zero
A plan for future developments will help combat climate change.
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National Planning Framework 4: explanatory report
This explanatory report accompanies our National Planning Framework 4 revised draft. It provides a summary of the representations made through our consultation on Draft National Planning Framework 4 and sets out the changes made in response to those reviews.
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Chief Planner Letter: stakeholder update - July 2022
Planning Minister Tom Arthur and Chief Planner Fiona Simpson have written to update stakeholders on aspects of the work programme, heading into the summer recess period.
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Planning Circular 2/2022 The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Regulations 2022
This Circular provides guidance on the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 and replaces Circulars 1/2004 and 2/2013
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Streamlining planning processes
Consultation proposes changes to boost economy and help net zero transition.
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Improving planning processes
New measures to help improve application process.
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Making our homes cleaner and greener
Scotland’s heat in buildings strategy published.
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Planning circular 2/2021 - planning system - promotion and use of mediation: guidance
Planning circular 2/2021 provides guidance on the promotion and use of mediation in the Scottish planning system.
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Fourth National Planning Framework - position statement: consultation analysis
Independent analysis of the responses to our consultation paper on Scotland’s Fourth National Planning Framework Position Statement which ran from 26 November 2020 to 19 February 2021.
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Conflict avoidance - early intervention to avoid disputes: CPN 2/2021
This Construction Policy Note (CPN) confirms our support for the principle of avoiding conflict in construction contracts and urges other contracting authorities to align their construction procurement policy likewise.
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Planning performance statistics 2020/2021: quarterly (April 2020 to September 2020)
This report presents summary statistics on planning application decision-making timescales for April to September 2020, as well as historic data back to 2016/17. It is based on data collected from Local and Planning Authorities as part of the Planning Performance Framework (introduced in 2012).
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Digital strategy for planning: business and regulatory impact assessment
Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) for Transforming Places Together - the digital strategy for planning in Scotland. The BRIA considers what the potential impact of the strategy may be businesses who are affected by it.
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Digital strategy for planning: equalities impact assessment
Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA) results summary for Transforming Places Together - the digital strategy for planning in Scotland. The EQIA considers the impact of the strategy on the protected characteristics.
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Transforming Places Together: digital strategy for planning
This strategy defines a long-term strategic direction for how Scotland’s planning system will digitally transform, embracing the opportunities new digital technologies and data present. It sets out what we intend to deliver, why this is needed and the benefits this transformation will bring.
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Transforming planning for the digital age
£35 million investment in technology.
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Permitted development rights - phase 1 priority development types: consultation
Consultation on draft proposals for changes and extensions to Permitted Development Rights (PDR) in Scotland for the priority development types selected for inclusion in Phase 1 of our programme. Consultation closes on 12 November 2020.
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Healthier, greener town centres
Optimising town centres for the aftermath of COVID-19.
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Parliament asked to back emergency Coronavirus Bill
New powers outlined for justice, public services and the economy
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Tenants to be given extra protection
Emergency Scottish legislation in response to coronavirus.
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Local development plans - deliverability of site allocations: research
Research considering the types of proportionate information that will demonstrate a development site’s deliverability.
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Planning performance and fees: consultation
Consultation on revising the planning performance and fees regimes.
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Construction phase handbook
Guidance for contracting authorities on the construction phase of a built asset project
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Rural planning to be prioritised
Review into planning underway.
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Reviewing and extending permitted development rights: consultation
Consultation on our proposed work programme for reviewing and extending permitted development rights in Scotland.
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Community-led design initiatives: evaluation
Findings from an evaluation of community–led design initiatives funded by the Scottish Government: the Charrette Mainstreaming Programme and the Making Places initiative.
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Planning: post-bill work programme
Our proposed timetable for implementing the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 and taking forward other aspects of the reform of Scottish planning.
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Building a zero carbon future
Climate change top of the agenda for new planning system.
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Planning application decision times published
Official Statistics Publications for Scotland
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Planning performance statistics: 2018-2019 yearend
Summary statistics on planning decision-making and timescales for October 2018 to March 2019 (quarters three and four), as well as historic data going back to quarter one of 2014-2015.
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Planning performance statistics: annual report 2018-2019
Annual statistics on planning decision-making and timescales for 2012-2013 to 2018-2019, based on quarterly data collected by the Scottish Government from Local and Planning Authorities as part of the Planning Performance Framework (introduced in 2012).
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Communities given more say in planning
Planning Bill supports a more inclusive and collaborative planning system.
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Decrease in derelict and urban vacant land
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Infrastructure Investment Plan 2015: progress report 2018-2019
Annual progress report on our Infrastructure Investment Plan outlines key achievements over the course of 2018 to 2019 and a sector by sector update on key infrastructure projects.
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Gypsy/Traveller Sites in Scotland
The report presents findings from a study collating data on Gypsy/Traveller sites in Scotland.
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Delivering an improved planning system
Added costs threaten aims of new legislation.
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Planning application decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
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Planning application decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
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Planning application decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Agent of change: Chief Planner letter February 2018
Letter from the Chief Planner providing advice about Agent of Change principle.
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Planning Advice Note 33: Development of contaminated land
Planning Advice Note (PAN) 33 provides advice on the implications of the contaminated land regime for the planning system.
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Transforming planning
Legislation to encourage development and improve community engagement.
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Planning application decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
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Help to build own home
£4 million self-build loan fund
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Designing communities
People to have say in the design of their area.
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Planning decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
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Transforming planning
Changes to make planning system more effective.
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Permitted development rights: class 67 changes
A summary of changes to Class 67 Permitted development rights for electronic communications code operators.
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Planning decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland
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Final say on Scotland's planning system
Consultation on significant changes enters final week.
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Supporting urban regeneration
Milestone for SPRUCE fund.
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Places, people and planning: community council briefing
A short guide for community councils on the key points in the consultation paper on the future of the Scottish Planning System.
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Surface coal mines: monitoring fees
Consultation on planning authorities' powers to recover costs associated with monitoring surface coal mines.
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Transforming the planning system
Views sought for planning modernisation.
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New controls on pay day lending and betting shops
Planning permission required to open up on the high street.
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Planning decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Designing with the experts
£300k for local projects.
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Designing with the experts
£300k for local projects.
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Planning fees: consultation
We are seeking views on a proposed new maximum fee for major planning applications.
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Scotland gets low-carbon cosy
More renewable heat than ever before.
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Planning decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Local design fund
Communities to have their say in the design of their area.
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Review of planning welcomed by Scottish Ministers
Crucial actions to be taken as part of planning sector reform.
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Scottish planning policy
Policy statement on how nationally important land use planning matters should be addressed across the country.
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