Planning and Architecture
National Planning Framework 4 Policy Overviews 12 to 22
January 29, 2026 by planningarchitecture No Comments | Category Architecture, Green Spaces, Heat, Housing & Infrastructure, Planning
NPF4 Policy overviews
We have collated over three blogs, overviews of advice and guidance available for each of the 33 policies contained in National Planning Framework 4.
The blogs contain the following policy split.
- blog 1 – policy 1 to 11
- blog 2 – policy 2 to 22
- blog 3 – policy 23 to 33
These overviews are a mix of Scottish Government produced advice alongside that produced by Agencies and other stakeholders. The list is not exhaustive but is meant to provide signposts to advice to inform the implementation of these policies. These blogs are intended to be living documents and will be updated as and when new advice and guidance becomes available.
NPF4 Policy 12 – Zero waste
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
NPF4 Policy 13 – Sustainable transport
Relevant chief planner letters
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations
- development planning transport appraisal guidance – Transport Scotland
- Scotland’s climate change plan – 2026-2040 (transport annex)
- achieving car use reduction in Scotland – a renewed policy statement – Transport Scotland
- national islands plan – implementation route map 2024
- cycling by design – Transport Scotland
- local transport strategy guidance – Transport Scotland
- active travel strategy guidance 2023 – Transport Scotland
- aviation statement – Transport Scotland
- rail policy and strategy – Transport Scotland
- guidance on inclusive design for town centres and busy streets – consultation responses – Transport Scotland
- road construction consent and road bond process guidance – SCOTS
- national roads development guide – SCOTS
- SUDS for roads – SCOTS
- transport poverty – a public health issue – Public Health Scotland
- creating a public realm for all – SCOTS
NPF4 Policy – 14 Design quality and place
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- Masterplan Consent Areas guidance
- designing Streets – a policy statement for Scotland
NPF4 Policy 15 – Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- planning to live well locally consultation
- local living 20 minute neighbourhoods
- Masterplan Consent Areas – guidance
- effective community engagement in local development plans
Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations
- how to map a 20-minute neighbourhood – Improvement Service
- understanding the 20 minute neighbourhood – Dundee University
- inclusivity, diversity and accessibility – Alliance Scotland
- application in rural and island setting – Nick Wright Planning
- People in place practice network – SURF
NPF4 Policy 16 – Quality homes
Relevant chief planner letters
- SME homebuilders – October 2025
- housing applications and notification direction – September 2025
- Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Minister for Public Finance letter – September 2025
- National Planning Hub update – May 2025
- 2025 progress update – April 2025
- 2025 priorities – January 2025
- planning for housing: delivery plan – November 2024
- work programme update – September 2024
- planning for housing – June 2024
- transitional arrangements for National Planning Framework 4 – February 2023
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- housing land audit guidance
- Planning Advice Note 2/2010 – affordable housing and housing land audits
Other significant relevant Scottish Government policy announcements
- tackling Scotland’s housing emergency – housing emergency action plan
- planning and the housing emergency delivery plan – actions update
NPF4 Policy 17 – Rural homes
Relevant chief planner letters
- SME homebuilders – October 2025
- Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Minister for Public Finance letter on housing – September 2025
- 2025 progress update – April 2025
- 2025 priorities – January 2025
- work programme update – September 2024
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- housing land audit – guidance
- Planning Advice Note 2/2010 – affordable housing and housing land audits
Other significant relevant Scottish Government policy announcements
- tackling Scotland’s housing emergency – housing emergency action plan
- planning and the housing emergency delivery plan – actions update
NPF4 Policy 18 – Infrastructure first
Relevant chief planner letters
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- development planning transport appraisal guidance
- a national mission with local impact – infrastructure investment plan for Scotland 2021-22 to 2025-26 – gov.scot
- infrastructure investment plan 2021-22 to 2025-26 – progress report 2024 to 2025
- planning, infrastructure and place advisory group annual report 2024
- planning circular 4/2025 – planning obligations and good neighbour agreements
NPF4 Policy 19 – Heating and cooling
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- local heat and energy efficiency strategies and delivery plans – guidance
- heat in buildings strategy – achieving net zero emissions in Scotland’s buildings
- new build heat standard
Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations
NPF4 Policy 20 – Blue and green infrastructure
Relevant chief planner letters
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- Planning advice note 65 – planning and open space
- water-resilient places – surface water management and blue-green infrastructure policy framework
- biodiversity – delivery plan 2024 to 2030
- climate change – Scottish national adaptation plan 2024-2029
- biodiversity – planning guidance
- the environment strategy for Scotland – consultation draft
- local food for everyone
Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations
- green infrastructure – NatureScot
- SPANS Scotland’s People and Nature Survey 2023/24 – connection to nature – NatureScot
NPF4 Policy 21 – Play, recreation and sport
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- play sufficiency assessment regulations 2023 – guidance
- Place Standard: Children and Young People Versions – Ourplace.scot (website temporarily unavailable)
- play – vision statement and action plan 2025 to 2030
Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations
Policy 22 – Flood risk and water management
Relevant chief planner letters
- work programme update – September 2024
- 2025 progress update – April 2025
- policy 22 (flood risk and water management) – June 2025 (withdrawn)
- policy 22 (flood risk and water management) – October 2025
Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government
- local development planning guidance
- To be published 2026 – Climate change duties – statutory guidance for public bodies
Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations
- guidance and advice notes- SEPA
- using future climate scenarios to support today’s decision making – ClimateXChange
Tags: design quality, development planning, homes, infrastructure, local living, national planning framework 4, transport, waste
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