Planning and environmental appeals
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Planning permission appeals: housing development statistics
Planning permission appeal statistics for housing developments involving 10 or more houses since January 2015.
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Wind turbine appeal decisions: statistics
Weekly statistics for wind turbine appeal decisions.
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Planning and environmental appeals: guidance for reporters
Guidance notes for planning and environmental appeals reporters.
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Planning circular 3/2025: fees for local reviews and appeals
This circular provides guidance on the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Local Reviews) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 and the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.
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A guide to planning appeals in Scotland
Guidance on appealing planning related decisions or notices.
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NPF4 planning guidance: policy 2 - climate mitigation and adaptation
Planning guidance supporting the consistent, proportionate and effective application of National Planning Framework 4 Policy 2 on climate mitigation and adaptation.
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Scottish biodiversity strategy: report to Parliament 2020 to 2024
This report outlines and summarises progress against actions undertaken during the period 2020-2024 to address the seven outcomes and associated key steps set out in the 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity.
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Planning and environmental appeals: quarterly performance statistics
Quarterly performance statistics for Planning and Environmental Appeals.
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Planning appeals reporters: list
Names and titles of planning appeals reporters.
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Climate change - public engagement strategy: mid-point review
The climate change public engagement strategy committed to a review at the mid-point of delivery. The review provides a summary of activities delivered since the publication of the strategy, reflects on the approach being taken and recommends improvements to achieve objectives in future delivery.
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Environment strategy: transformative changes for sustainability
Independent report by Professor Valerie Nelson on behalf of the Scottish Government to inform the development of the forthcoming Scottish Government environment strategy.
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Terrestrial and freshwater sites - biodiversity commitment: consultation analysis
The key findings from the analysis of responses to our consultation ‘Meeting our '30 by 30' biodiversity commitment on terrestrial and freshwater sites: consultation on legislative proposals’, which ran from 2 April 2024 to 24 May 2024.
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Effective community engagement in local development planning guidance: we asked, you said, we did statement
We sought views on draft planning guidance for the effective community engagement in local development planning in summer 2023. This report summarises the actions taken to address, within the finalised guidance, the key themes emerging from the consultation responses.
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Effective community engagement in local development planning guidance: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
This impact assessment considers the likely effects of the effective community engagement in local development planning guidance on the rights and wellbeing of children.
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Effective community engagement in local development plans: consultation response summary
We consulted on guidance for effective community engagement in local development planning between 24 May and 13 September 2023. The 9 consultation questions aimed to gather a broad range of public and stakeholder views on the guidance.
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Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 implementation - assessing Scotland's water environment: policy statement
This policy statement and the associated Standards and Status Directions are intended to provide stakeholders with a better understanding of our approach to the protection of the water environment through the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003 (WEWS) .
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Scottish Biodiversity Strategy to 2045
This is the final updated version of our biodiversity strategy which sets out our clear ambition for Scotland to be Nature Positive by 2030, and to have restored and regenerated biodiversity across the country by 2045.
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Biodiversity: delivery plan 2024 to 2030
The first in a series of rolling delivery plans which form part of our strategic framework for biodiversity, in conjunction with the Scottish biodiversity strategy. It includes actions needed to ensure we are on track to achieving the vision and outcomes in the strategy.
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Climate change - Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-2029: island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment undertaken for the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024-29.
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Scotland's Land Use Strategy Annual Progress Report – 2023/2024
Fifth annual progress report on Scotland's land use strategy, as required under Section 37A of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. It covers the period of March 2023 to March 2024.
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Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA): annual review 2023 to 2024
Planning and Environmental Appeals Division's annual review of its performance for 2023 to 2024.
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Planning and climate change guidance: research report issue 3
Research comprising a desk-based study and stakeholder engagement with developers and decision-makers to develop understanding of the approaches currently being used to both assess and minimise lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of development proposals. This research is to inform National Planning Framework 4.
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Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 strategy: progress report
This sets out the policy framework for air quality in Scotland to 2026 and includes a comprehensive list of actions across ten policy areas. This third annual report summarises progress on actions since the last report in September 2023.
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Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods - planning guidance: final impact assessment report update
This impact assessment report update relates to our planning guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods which was produced to support the implementation of the policy framework within the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
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Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods: planning guidance
The guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods aims to encourage, promote and facilitate the application of the Place Principle and create connected and compact neighbourhoods which prioritise environmental, social and economic sustainability.
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Chief Planning Officers: guidance
This guidance is to be taken into consideration by local authorities when appointing the role of Chief Planning Officer. It provides clarity on the role and responsibilities of the Chief Planning Officer, and how it contributes to the wider aims of the National Planning Framework.
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Accessing Scotland's geothermal resource: regulatory guidance
Guidance prepared with key stakeholders outlining the regulatory framework for exploring and exploiting Scotland's geothermal resource.
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Climate change - national adaptation plan 2024 to 2029: consultation - easy read
The impacts of climate change are already being felt by people in Scotland. That is why, as well as taking action to reduce emissions, we must also take steps to adapt to climate change. This is an easy-read version of the consultation on the Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 to 2029.
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Am Plana Nàiseanta airson Dùthaich a tha Math a Thaobh Biadh: Sgrìobhainn Chochomhairleachaidh
This consultation covers the content of the national Good Food Nation Plan. It seeks views on the Outcomes; ways of measuring progress; and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation. It also seeks views on specified functions. This is a Gaelic translation of the consultation.
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Geàrr-iomradh air a' Phlana Nàiseanta airson Dùthaich a tha Math a Thaobh Biadh
The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes; the range of targets and indicators that will be used to gauge progress towards achieving them; and details of food-related policies and initiatives from across the Scottish Government. This is a Gaelic summary of the Plan.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: consultation - easy read
Easy read version of our consultation on the national Good Food Nation Plan, which sets out the Government's goals for food and how we will achieve them.
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National Good Food Nation Plan
The national Good Food Nation Plan sets out six over-arching Outcomes for a Good Food Nation; the range of targets and indicators that will be used to gauge progress towards achieving them; and details of a wide range of food-related policies and initiatives from across the Scottish Government.
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National Good Food Nation Plan: consultation
We are consulting on the first national Good Food Nation Plan. We are seeking views on the national Good Food Nation Outcomes, ways of measuring progress and how different groups envision life in a Good Food Nation. It also seeks views on specified functions.
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New National Parks: nominations guidance and appraisal framework
Information on the nomination process for the New National Park(s) project, including links to all key documents for nominating groups.
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Environment - guiding principles: statutory guidance
This guidance provides information on how officials across government should apply the environmental principles when developing policy.
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Environment - guiding principles consultation: statutory guidance – Parliamentary statement and analysis report
As required by section 18(4) of the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021 the Scottish Government has provided a parliamentary statement and an analysis report on the consultation on Scotland’s Guiding Principles on the Environment: Statutory Guidance.
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Vision for sustainable aquaculture: island communities impact assessment
Island communities impact assessment for the vision for sustainable aquaculture.
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Vision for sustainable aquaculture
The Vision for sustainable aquaculture describes the Scottish Government’s long-term aspirations to 2045 for the finfish, shellfish and seaweed farming sectors, and the wider aquaculture supply chain.
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Vision for sustainable aquaculture: child rights and wellbeing screening sheet
Child rights and wellbeing screening sheet for the Vision for sustainable aquaculture
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Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA): annual review 2022 to 2023
Planning and Environmental Appeals Division's annual review of its performance for 2022 to 2023.
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National innovation strategy 2023 to 2033
Our vision is for Scotland to be one of the most innovative small nations in the world. This is our ten-year strategy to deliver that ambition. Innovation is a key tool to make Scotland a fairer, more equal, wealthier and greener country.
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Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods - draft guidance consultation: impact assessment report update
The impact assessment report update relates to the consultation on our draft guidance on local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods, produced to support the fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4).
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National Planning Framework 4: integrated impact assessment post adoption statement
Post Adoption Statement setting out how the findings of the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) and consultation responses informed the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) as adopted.
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National Islands Plan Annual Report 2022
The Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 requires that a report is presented to Parliament each year setting out the progress made towards delivery of the National Islands Plan. This report sets out progress made during the 2022 reporting year.
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Planning applications statistics 2022/2023: quarterly (April 2022 to September 2022)
Statistics on planning applications and decision-making timescales for the first two quarters of 2022-2023. Data are collected as part of the Planning Performance Framework from local and planning authorities.
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Planning for greener communities
New long-term plan and policy comes into effect.
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Scottish City Region and Growth Deals: carbon management guidance for projects and programmes
Guidance for project owners on managing carbon emissions associated with Scottish City Region and Growth Deal projects.
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Planning Performance Statistics 2021/2022: Annual and Quarterly (October 2021 to March 2022)
Statistics on planning application decision-making timescales for 2021-2022. Data are collected as part of the Planning Performance Framework from local and planning authorities. Quarters 3 and 4 statistics are also published. Historic annual statistics back to 2017-2018 are presented.
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Planning and Environmental Appeals Division: annual review 2021 to 2022
Planning and Environmental Appeals Division's (DPEA) annual review of its performance for 2021 to 2022.
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Independent review of the role of incineration in the waste hierarchy: Scottish Government response
Our initial response to Stop, Sort, Burn, Bury? - the recommendations of the independent review of the role of incineration in the waste hierarchy in Scotland.
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Response to the Climate Change Committee: progress reducing emissions – report to Parliament 2021
In December 2021, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) published its annual report on progress in reducing emissions in Scotland, assessing the government’s climate change mitigation activity. This report addresses the CCC’s recommendations.
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Review of the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement: analysis of consultation responses
A report on the analysis of the responses to the consultation on the Review of the Land Rights and Responsibilities Statement.
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Scottish Natural Capital Accounts 2022
This report estimates quantity and value of services supplied by Scotland's natural capital.
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Scotland's Climate Assembly - recommendations for action: SG response
Scotland's Climate Assembly published their full report on 23 June 2021. It included 81 recommendations for the Scottish Government, who had six months to respond. This response sets out the existing and proposed actions that government will take in order to address their recommendations.
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Island communities impact assessments: guidance - consultation
Our islands face particular challenges around distance, geography, connectivity and demography, so it is important that policy makers consider these properly. The consultation on the guidance will help ensure that islands receive fair treatment tailored to their unique circumstances.
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Adoption of Scottish planning policy in local development plans: research
Research that looks at how effective Scottish planning policy has been in influencing local development planning and decision making.
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National Planning Framework 3: monitoring report
Progress of the 30 key actions and 14 national developments listed in the third National Planning Framework.
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Fracking ‘incompatible’ with climate policy
Onshore unconventional oil and gas policy finalised.
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Planning application decision times published
Official Statistics Publications for Scotland
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Planning application decision times published
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Fracking debate
Scottish Parliament endorses ban.
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Support for housing
Challenge fund announced for custom and self-built homes.
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Planning appeals forms and guidance: list
Planning and environmental appeals forms and guidance.