Planning applications: key agency rapid planning audits

Chapter 7 - Conclusions

7.1 The roles of the five Agencies considered by me in this Review are a vital contribution to an effective planning system in a complex world.

7.2 I have been grateful to the Agencies, HoPS and representatives of applicants for their thoughtful and constructive suggestions, engaging in the spirit of the Review. I have appreciated their honesty, sincerity and directness in the expression of their views and their self-reflection.

7.3 All engaged in the planning system – from whatever their perspective – are important to be listened to and heard, in seeking to create a system that delivers the highest quality of planning decision making.

7.4 Securing high quality decision making, along with delivery at appropriate speed and cost is enormously challenging.

7.5 I have sought in this Review to take a whole systems approach or overview, while seeking to understand and be realistic about the practical mechanics of what I suggest, from the perspectives of all participants in the system.

7.6 My recommendations are to be considered in the round. They are, to greater or lesser extents, cross-dependent.

7.7 For that reason, although (if implemented) directed to different groups to action, the package in this Report – at first instance – comprises a set of recommendations (a) for consideration by the Scottish Government (and in particular PARD), especially those involving impacts on bodies other than Agencies and (b) for the reasons set out at Chapter 1 are for consideration, wider engagement and consultation. They are not final products. All should be seen as building blocks for, or stepping stones towards, longer term improvements.

7.8 In this Report I set out 16 recommendations, along with a further suggestion (as below) in order to maintain a focus on delivery in the period ahead. As I say in Chapter 1, this Report is not an end in itself.

7.9 The full list of recommendations is attached, with each to be seen in their context in the Report. I set out too a list of matters for consideration, though not recommendations in themselves, that flow from the matters examined by me.

7.10 I commend these recommendations to the Scottish Government.

Recommendation 17

I recommend that the Scottish Government should make arrangements for a one year review of progress on recommendations in this Report, to be carried out by PARD or another appointed person, as would consider the need for a further annual review or reviews.

Paul Cackette

15 December 2025