Planning and Architecture

  • How can permitted development rights help address the housing emergency?

    21st November 2024 by

    Our Planning and the housing emergency: delivery plan sets out the actions we will take so that planning plays its full part in addressing the housing emergency. The delivery plan indicated that we would consider and engage widely on the potential scope for further permitted development rights which could support housing delivery in specific circumstances....

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  • Town Planning as a Green Career: Refreshing thoughts for young people

    8th November 2024 by

    This year World Town Planning Day coincides with Green Careers Week 2024. The Careers Week is a series of events aimed at supporting young people to consider the value of learning ‘green’ skills and considering future career path opportunities within the built and natural environments. By focusing on the ‘green’ sector, it highlights the value...

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  • Investing in Planning – Next Steps

    23rd September 2024 by

    Investing in Planning – Next Steps The Investing in Planning consultation set out a range of proposals aimed at increasing the capacity of the planning system, particularly planning authorities. The consultation ran from February to May 2024 and we have published the responses and our summary of those responses. Proposals for implementation In response to...

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  • Compulsory Purchase Reform

    9th July 2024 by

    IntroductionCompulsory purchase in Scotland is widely regarded as being in need of reform. As part of our wider planning reforms, the Scottish Government has committed to improve and modernise the system in order to help support the delivery of development, infrastructure and regeneration projects that are in the public interest. In this blog, we explain...

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  • The Private Sector and LDP Evidence Reports

    24th April 2024 by

    How to get involved The first round of local development plan (LDP) Evidence Reports are under preparation by planning authorities across Scotland. We want these to support a delivery focused planning system; this will demand early and proactive engagement between planning authorities and all stakeholders. We want to see positive and open conversations which promote...

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  • NatureScot are inviting views on the development of a biodiversity metric for Scotland’s planning system

    4th April 2024 by

    NatureScot are inviting views on the development of a biodiversity metric for Scotland’s planning system. In September 2023, the Scottish Government published independent research undertaken by SRUC into ‘Approaches to Measuring Biodiversity in Scotland’. The findings and recommendations of which set out pragmatic next steps to ensure a consistent and cross-government approach to measuring biodiversity...

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  • Planning System – Mandatory Training for Elected Members: Consultation Analysis

    4th April 2024 by

    Mandatory training for elected members was included in the Planning Scotland Act 2019, alongside a package of measures to improve the performance of the planning system. From 13 July to 26 October 2023, we consulted on how this could be implemented. Following the public consultation last year, we have published an independent analysis of the...

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  • Guidance Published on Chief Planning Officers

    2nd April 2024 by

    A new duty for planning authorities to appoint a Chief Planning Officer has come into force on 1 April 2024, following the latest set of Commencement Regulations to implement parts of the 2019 Act, as we continue our ongoing planning reform work. Meeting part of this duty, the Scottish Government has issued and today published...

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  • Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2024

    14th March 2024 by

    The Scottish Civic Trust My Place Awards 2024, supported by the Scottish Government, celebrate community-led built environment projects that have transformed their locality. The winning and commended entries were announced at a ceremony at The Trades Hall, Glasgow on 13th March. The winner of the My Place Awards 2024 Community-led Project category is The Corner,...

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  • National Planning Framework and Local Development Plan Amendments

    28th February 2024 by

    With the move to National Planning Framework (NPF) and Local Development Plans (LDPs) having a review period of 10 years, the 2019 Act introduced the provision for them to be amended between full review cycles. This enables the planning system to respond where newly emerging matters arise. The consultation covers proposals for the regulations. The...

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