We determine certain appeals against decisions made by planning authorities and other bodies across Scotland.
A reporter appointed by ministers decides most appeals. In a small number of cases, ministers will make the decision following the appointed reporter's submissions and recommendations. Reporters are issued with guidance notes providing information about administrative procedures and practices.
Actions
Our casework is split across three broad categories:
- appeals against local planning authority and other public body decisions
- examination of outstanding issues for development plans
If you are taking part in a planning or other appeal; Section 36 or other application or in a Roads or other Order case, we have published guidance on the process.
If you are taking part in a Local Development Plan Examination, we have published guidance on the process.
Appeal forms and guidance notes for all planning and environmental appeals are available to download and then submit electronically, or by post.
We provide an appeals webcast to give public access to discussions on planning issues.
Background
Where possible, we publish all documents related to our casework on our planning appeals case publication website. User guidance for the site and its related DPEA Portal is also available.
Stakeholder Group
We have a Planning and Environmental Appeals Stakeholder Forum to ensure we take our key stakeholders' and users' views into account.
Our Planning and Environmental Appeals annual review looks at our performance and how to improve our service. We also track our progress in projects, and our performance against targets. We keep records of previous years' annual reviews.
We also publish quarterly performance statistics, as well as statistics relating to wind turbine appeal decisions and housing development appeals.
Comments and complaints
We welcome all comments on the service that we provide. If you are unhappy with any aspect of the service, you can find further guidance in our planning and environmental appeals complaints policy.
Bills and legislation
The 2006 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act brought about the most significant modernisation of the planning system in Scotland in over 60 years. The aim of the Act is to ensure a planning service that is efficient, inclusive, fit for purpose and sustainable.
Primary legislation
The main pieces of legislation which the planning system operates under are:
- Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997
- Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006
Contact
If you take part in the appeals process, use DPEA websites, contact the division or attend a webcast, the DPEA may collect certain information about you. To find out more about what information is collected, how the information is used and managed please read the DPEA's privacy notice
Planning and Environmental Appeals Twitter Feed
Email: DPEA@gov.scot
Telephone: 0300 244 6668
Post:
Planning and Environmental Appeals Division
Hadrian House
Callendar Business Park
Falkirk
FK1 1XR