Planning and architecture

Scotland's Third Land Use Strategy sets out our vision, objectives and policies to achieve sustainable land use. The strategy covers the next five years and aims to provide a more holistic understanding of our land, the demands we place upon it and the benefits we get from our land.

This paper outlines how surface water is currently managed in Scotland, sets out a vision for the future and describes the components that should be brought together to form a coherent framework that will support delivery of water resilient places.

Easy read version of A New Future for Scotland's Town Centres

In June 2020 we launched an independent collaborative review of the progress and scope of the 2013 Town Centre Action Plan. The Review group was asked to build on our town centre first approach and develop a refreshed vision for our towns and the means to achieve it.

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).

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.

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.

This report sets out evidence that has been taken into account to inform our finalised changes to the Scottish Planning Policy.

This Planning Advice Note relates to housing land requirement.

Impact assessments accompanying the Scottish Government’s response to our recent consultation on changes to the Scottish Planning Policy.

The Scottish Government’s response to our recent consultation on changes to the Scottish Planning Policy.

Policy statement on how nationally important land use planning matters should be addressed across the country.

This Planning Advice Note relates to housing land requirement.

This Position Statement sets out the Scottish Government's current thinking on the issues that will need to be addressed when preparing Scotland's fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).

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.

Research findings on improving air quality outcomes that will help inform policy development for National Planning Framework 4.

£35 million investment in technology.

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.

Analysis of responses to a public consultation on reviewing and extending permitted development rights, which ran between 5 November 2019 and 28 January 2020.

Letter issued by Chief Planner on the direction regarding the notification to Scottish Ministers of applications made to authorities on battery storage consents and variations to planning permission for energy generating station ancillary uses. This comes into force on 28 August 2020.

Letter issued by Chief Planner regarding consents and variations to planning permission for energy generating ancillary uses on 27 August 2020.

Summary of responses to the call for ideas to inform the preparation of a new National Planning Framework (NPF), launched in January 2020.

Independent analysis of responses to the call for ideas to inform the preparation of a new National Planning Framework (NPF), launched in January 2020.

Consultation on proposed changes to the pre-application consultation (PAC) requirements in planning.

Optimising town centres for the aftermath of COVID-19.

Guidance on design principles for safer urban centres and green spaces in Scotland during the coronavirus crisis. This guidance has been superseded by https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-public-spaces-updated-guidance/ (November 2020).

New powers outlined for justice, public services and the economy

Emergency Scottish legislation in response to coronavirus.

A Culture Strategy for Scotland shows how important culture is to Scotland’s prosperity and sets the future direction for supporting culture in Scotland.

Research considering the types of proportionate information that will demonstrate a development site’s deliverability.

Findings from research commissioned to inform preparation of the next version of Scotland’s National Planning Framework, NPF4.

Sets out business priorities for Planning and Architecture Division and how they will deliver the vision for a world class planning system to support inclusive economic growth and create great places for people and communities.

Consultation on revising the planning performance and fees regimes.

Guidance for contracting authorities on the construction phase of a built asset project

Review into planning underway.

Consultation on our proposed work programme for reviewing and extending permitted development rights in Scotland.

Findings from an evaluation of community–led design initiatives funded by the Scottish Government: the Charrette Mainstreaming Programme and the Making Places initiative.

Our proposed timetable for implementing the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 and taking forward other aspects of the reform of Scottish planning.

Climate change top of the agenda for new planning system.

Official Statistics Publications for Scotland

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.

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).

Planning Bill supports a more inclusive and collaborative planning system.

A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.

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.

The report presents findings from a study collating data on Gypsy/Traveller sites in Scotland.

Added costs threaten aims of new legislation.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

Latest statistics on planning decision-making and timescales for April to September 2018 (quarters one and two), as well as historic data going back to quarter one of 2014-2015.

Assessment of housing land audits (HLAs) for consistency and compliance, their potential for standardisation and their role in development plan delivery.

Review of the publications and case studies regarding how planning can support the economy, and how the economy can support creating great places.

Quarterly performance statistics for Planning and Environmental Appeals.

Summary of research responding to the question 'How can the planning system best support the creation of an improved food environment in Scotland?'.

Discusses issues related to performance management and informs future work on developing new approaches to assessing performance in the planning system.

The research follows on the back of the 2017 People, Places and Planning consultation and highlights examples of good practice and forward considerations for strengthening customer service within the planning system.

Research identifying the main reasons for delay with applications for housing which have taken over one year to conclude.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

This report presents the latest summary statistics on planning, decision-making, and timescales for October to December 2017 (quarter 3).

Letter from the Chief Planner providing advice about Agent of Change principle.

Planning Advice Note (PAN) 33 provides advice on the implications of the contaminated land regime for the planning system.

Legislation to encourage development and improve community engagement.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

£4 million self-build loan fund

People to have say in the design of their area.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

Changes to make planning system more effective.

A summary of changes to Class 67 Permitted development rights for electronic communications code operators.

An independent analysis of the consultation on raising planning fees.

Summary of the discussions held during the planning review working groups in Edinburgh on 20 March 2017.

Paper exploring the potential of authorities sharing planning services commissioned from Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS) as a result of the planning review recommendations.

We commissioned the Royal Town Planning Institute to produce this paper exploring the implementation of a planning graduate intern programme - one of the recommendations contained in the recent planning review report.

We commissioned this paper from the Royal Town Planning Institute as a result of a recommendation contained in the planning review report.

Summary of statistics on planning decision-making and timescales, as well as historic data going back to 2012 to 2013.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland

Consultation on significant changes enters final week.

Agenda for the 30 March engagement event for the Places, People and Planning consultation on the future of the Scottish planning system.

Applications open for chance to be mentored by the First Minister.

Reports from planning authorities on the status of operating and legacy surface coal sites.

Milestone for SPRUCE fund.

A short guide for community councils on the key points in the consultation paper on the future of the Scottish Planning System.

Consultation on planning authorities' powers to recover costs associated with monitoring surface coal mines.

Planning proposal relating to demolition at 184-188 High Street, Elgin and reconstruction of existing building to form one retail unit and 15 serviced apartments (ref. NAL-MRY-001 ). This case is closed.

Equality impact assessment which accompanies the Planning Bill.

Impact assessment considering likely impacts of proposals in the Planning Bill

Business and regulatory impact assessment which accompanies the planning bill.

We are seeking views on proposals to strengthen the planning system.

Views sought for planning modernisation.

Report examining the use of digital and 3D technology in the planning process in Scotland.

Planning permission required to open up on the high street.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

£300k for local projects.

£300k for local projects.

We are seeking views on a proposed new maximum fee for major planning applications.

Minutes of the Coal Restoration Working Group chaired by the Scottish Government.

The Planning and Architecture division's Planning Performance Framework Report for 2016 to 2017.

Planning proposal relating to the former Clansman Club, Abbotsinch Road, Paisley application (ref. NOD-RFS-001). This case is closed.

Reports from planning authorities on the status of operating and legacy surface coal sites.

Summary of the discussions held during the planning review working groups in Edinburgh on 12 and 13 September 2016.

More renewable heat than ever before.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Participation Statement outlining how we will conduct the consultation on the future of the Scottish Planning System.

Communities to have their say in the design of their area.

Statistics on planning decision-making and timescales between the periods 2012 to 2013 and 2015 to 2016.

Ministers response to the report of the independent planning review panel.

Crucial actions to be taken as part of planning sector reform.

An independent review report on the Scottish planning system by Crawford Beveridge, Petra Biberbach and John Hamilton.

Research report on designing places for an ageing population.

Draft advice to support Scottish Planning Policy on giving due weight to net economic benefit.