Planning Performance: High Level Group minutes - March 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Cllr Gail Macgregor (Chair), COSLA Spokesperson for Environment and Economy
• Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for Public Finance
• Pamela Clifford, (East Ayrshire Council) Heads of Planning Scotland
• Paul Macari, (Aberdeenshire Council) SOLACE
• Rob McIntosh, (Aberdeenshire Council) SOLAR
• Peter Noad, (Scottish Enterprise) Key Agencies Group
• Craig McLaren, National Planning Improvement Champion
• Susan Rintoul, National Planning Improvement Team
• Johanna Boyd, Planning Aid Scotland
• Laura Robertson, (Aberdeen City Council) Royal Town Planning Institute
• Megan Amundson, (Scottish Renewables) Applicant Stakeholder Group
• Calum Lindsay, COSLA
• Fiona Simpson, Chief Planner, Scottish Government
• Andy Kinnaird, Scottish Government
• Chris Sinclair, Scottish Government
• Tom Barratt, Scottish Government
• Euan Robertson, Scottish Government

Apologies

• Caroline Brown, Royal Town Planning Institute
• Gareth Dixon, COSLA

Items and actions

Welcome and opening remarks

Cllr Macgregor welcomed the group to the meeting. The Minister reflected on his attendance at the Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS) 25th anniversary reception at Parliament, and provided an update on the recently published Masterplan Consent Areas (MCA) guidance. The Minister also highlighted the next phase of changes to planning fees coming in June, including an inflation linked increase based on the Consumer Price Index for 2024 and the introduction of fees for appealing planning decisions to Local Review Bodies and Scottish Ministers.

Minute of previous meeting and action points

The group agreed the minute and action points from the previous meeting.

Update from National Planning Improvement Champion

National Planning Improvement Framework

The National Planning Improvement Team (NPIT) provided an update on progress with the National Planning Improvement Framework, National Customer and Stakeholder Survey, and National Planning Hub. The first Cohort of planning authorities has completed the process, with assessments and action plans published, and Cohorts 2 and 3 are expected to complete the process by the end of April. Evaluation of the process will follow once all authorities have completed the process. The group discussed potential slippage in authorities’ completion of the pilot, with the issue of resourcing cited as the cause for potential delay. The importance of supporting authorities through the process was highlighted, and PAS offered to collaborate with the NPIT on this.

• Craig McLaren and Pamela Clifford to discuss how HOPS can support the process.

The National Customer and Stakeholder survey

The survey has now closed, with over 600 responses submitted. Analysis of the results is underway and expected to be published in March or April.

The survey results highlighted communication and customer as being significant issues. This is reflected by the fact that communication was one of the most common area for improvement identified in the National Planning Improvement Frameworks (NPIF).

The group also briefly discussed how planning application statistics remain an important indicator of performance and that there is a need to reduce the current average timescales.

• Craig McLaren and Johanna Boyd to discuss how Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) can support the process through PAS’ advice service customer surveys.

Hydrogen Planning Hub

A paper on how the Hydrogen Planning Hub has been working has been produced, following engagement with HOPS and feedback being gathered. The paper reports that the Hub has been a good working model, and that understanding and awareness of hydrogen developments has improved. Work to prepare authorities for future hydrogen applications is also underway with tools and resources being produced.

An update was also provided to the group on next steps for the National Planning Hub, including future hub arrangements and the priorities of housing and renewable energy applications. Group members flagged that as customers they should be consulted and involved on the evolving plans for the Hub. It was confirmed that this will very much be a collaborative approach.

• High Level Group to maintain oversight of the National Planning Hub with a standing agenda item at future meetings.

Planning and Housing Emergency Delivery Plan

The group were updated on the Scottish Government’s work to progress the 23 actions identified in the Plan, including:

• engagement with Scottish Enviroment Protection Agency (SEPA) and HOPS on flood risk policy;
• engagement with authorities on early adoption of masterplan consent
• areas following the publication of related guidance;
• the publication of new guidance on housing land audits;
• a blog to be published on good practice principles identified by the
• Proportionality Working Group;
• work with HOPS to roll out standard templates for Section 75 planning
• obligations and common planning conditions;
• the launch of a Planning Graduate Scheme, bringing 18 graduates into
• the profession;
• publication of the National Planning Skills Commitment Plan, and;
• intensive work on stalled sites.

Applicant Stakeholder Group Priority issue – resourcing renewable developments

The group heard from the Applicant Stakeholder Group representative onconcerns with authorities’ handling of energy project applications, with a perceived need for more consistent application of NPF4 to applications. A report framework on maximising socio-economic benefit has been produced and views are sought from Scottish Government and HOPS.

Section 36 applications were also raised, with the Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit committing to determining cases within 12 months. It was noted that planning authorities, as statutory consultees, can treat and assess those consultations as if they are planning applications, including reporting to committee, leading to delays.

Forthcoming statutory arrangements for pre-application procedures in relation to Section 36 applications were also discussed. There was some concern that consultees may not be adequately resourced for meaningful input to pre application discussions.

Elected Member Training

PAS presented the route map on Elected Member Training to the group. Following a series of interviews with stakeholders, 31 recommendations have been developed, falling under 10 themes. The route map recommends that training should be an ongoing journey. 

The next phase in taking forward implementation of Elected Member Training is anticipated between 2025-2027 which will see the development of the content of the training, as well as a pilot, and the finalisation of the training and assessment methods. The third phase is expected to be from 2027 onwards, and will see the implementation of mandatory training for up to 1,227 elected members.

It was noted that there has already been a lot of good work undertaken, in house, by authorities to train elected members.

• Society of Local Authority Lawyers & Administrators in Scotland (SOLAR) and HOPS to share existing Elected Member Training (EMT) materials with PAS and SG.
• SOLAR/HOPS and SG to discuss legal issues associated with of EMT requirements.

Date of next meeting 

The next meeting will take place on 12 June 2025, 09:00-10:30