Planning and Architecture

National Planning Framework 4 Policy Overviews 23 to 33

January 29, 2026 by planningarchitecture No Comments | Category Architecture, Build to Rent, Green Spaces, Heat, National Planning Framework, 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 23 – Health and safety

Relevant chief planner letters

• transitional arrangements for National Planning Framework 4 – February 2023
• work programme update – September 2024

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• planning circular 3/2015 – planning controls for hazardous substances
• local development planning guidance
• local food for everyone

Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations

• the Control of Major Accident Hazards regulations 2015 guidance – HSE
• land use planning public safety advice – HSE

NPF4 Policy 24 – Digital infrastructure

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance
• digital telecommunications
• digital strategy for Scotland delivery plan 2025-2028

Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations

• shared rural network in Scotland – UK Government

NPF4 Policy 25 – Community wealth building

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance
• community wealth building
• Community Wealth Building (Scotland) Bill

Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations

• What is Community Wealth Building?

NPF4 Policy 26 – Business and industry

Relevant chief planner letters

• transitional arrangements for National Planning Framework 4 – February 2023

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance

• national strategy for economic transformation

Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations

• Tay Cities region economic strategy 2019-2039
• Deciding planning applications in the NPF era – Brodies LLP
• business and industry, brownfield, vacant and derelict land and buildings – topic paper – Dundee City Council

NPF4 Policy 27 – City, town, local and commercial centres

Relevant chief planner letters

• transitional arrangements for National Planning Framework 4 – February 2023

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance

Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations

• Scotland’s Towns Partnership
• town centre living – Scottish Futures Trust

NPF4 Policy 28 – Retail

Relevant chief planner letters

• transitional arrangements for National Planning Framework 4 – February 2023

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance

NPF4 Policy 29 – Rural Development

Relevant chief planner letters

• planning for housing – June 2024
• work programme update – September 2024
• 2025 progress update – April 2025
• Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Minister for Public Finance letter on housing  – September 2025
• SME homebuilders – October 2025

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance
• local living and 20 minute neighbourhood guidance

NPF4 Policy 30 – Tourism

Relevant chief planner letters

• transitional arrangements for National Planning Framework 4 – February 2023

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance

• national strategy for economic transformation

Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations

• LDP evidence report on tourism – North Lanarkshire council
• sustainable tourism and short-term letting – Brodies LLP
• hutting guidance – 1000 huts campaign

NPF4 Policy 31 – Culture and creativity

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance

NPF4 Policy 32 –  Aquaculture

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance
• planning circular 1/2015 – relationship between the statutory land use planning system and marine planning and licencing
• planning circular 1/2007 – planning controls for marine fish farming

NPF4 Policy 33 – Minerals

Supporting guidance published by Scottish Government

• local development planning guidance
• planning advice note 50 – controlling the environmental effects of surface mineral workings
• surface mineral workings, annex A, on noise emissions
• surface mineral workings, annex B, on the control of dust
• surface mineral workings, annex C, on control of traffic
• Surface mineral workings, annex D, on control of blasting
• planning advice note 64 – reclamation of surface mineral workings

Guidance and useful information provided by other organisations

• aggregate minerals survey for Great Britain – 2023
• mineral extraction code of practice for the owners and operators of quarries and other mineral extraction sites – SEPA

Tags: aquaculture, creativity, culture, development planning, digital planning, health and safety, industry, minerals, retail, rural development, tourism

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