Planning and Architecture

  • National Planning Framework 4 Policy Overviews 23 to 33

    29th January 2026 by

    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...

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  • National Planning Framework 4 Policy Overviews 12 to 22

    29th January 2026 by

    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...

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  • National Planning Framework 4 Policy Overviews 1 to 11

    29th January 2026 by

    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...

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  • Publications declutter

    8th December 2025 by

    The 2025 Programme for Government contained a commitment to declutter the planning system by removing all dated national planning advice. This commitment continues our aim to reduce the volume of advice, to avoid confusion and reduce complexity. We consulted a number of stakeholders over the summer on a list of advice and other guidance that...

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  • Update on Elected Member Training

    25th November 2025 by

    The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 included mandatory training for elected members as part of a package of measures designed to improve the effectiveness of the planning system as a whole. In 2023, we consulted on the proposed implementation of mandatory training for elected members in planning. There was broad support for the mandatory element to...

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  • Water Resilient Dundee

    20th June 2025 by

    Across Scotland, sewer systems in urban environments are being inundated by rainfall from more extreme and frequent rainfall events. In response, Dundee City Council (DCC) has teamed up with Scottish Water to spearhead the ‘Water Resilient Dundee’ partnership. The Water Resilient Dundee (WRD) partnership aims to jointly plan and sustainably manage water in the city...

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  • Planning partners are working together to help deliver homes that are needed

    9th June 2025 by

    Planning partners are working together to help deliver homes that are needed Addressing the housing emergency requires a collective effort, with the planning system playing a key role in finding solutions. Planners and industry partners have collaborated to drive forward a solutions-focused approach to address the challenges in developing new homes and to accelerate their...

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  • The benefits of pre-application discussions and processing agreements

    24th April 2025 by

    This blog highlights the benefits of collaborative pre-application discussions and processing agreements. Both can help to provide greater clarity and certainty to prospective applicants and make the planning application journey smoother, quicker and potentially cheaper.  Pre-application discussions  Pre-application discussions are discussions between a prospective applicant and the relevant planning authority prior to the submission of...

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  • Championing proportionality of planning assessments

    3rd April 2025 by

    Requiring or providing too much or too little information to accompany planning applications can add costs and delays to the determination process. That is why we convened the Proportionality of Assessment Short Life Working Group. This blog highlights key principles and best practice identified by the Group. It promotes a proportionate approach to planning applications...

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  • NPF4 Policy 16 Quality Homes – Statements of Community Benefit

    23rd December 2024 by

    New housing can bring benefits to an area, and NPF4 Policy 16 requires applications for 50 homes or more to explain some of these positive impacts. Representatives from planning authorities, the development industry and community sector met on 26 November 2024 to explore existing approaches to Statements of Community Benefit, and opportunities to refine practice....

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