Planning and Architecture

  • 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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  • Masterplan Consent Areas

    28th February 2024 by

    The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced MCAs, which will have expanded powers building upon Simplified Planning Zones. MCAs will be broader in scope, being able grant planning permission, plus roads construction, listed building and conservation area consent – where provided for in the particular MCA scheme. Planning authorities will be able to take a place...

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  • Investing in Planning – a consultation on resourcing Scotland’s planning system

    28th February 2024 by

    Investing in Planning – a consultation on resourcing Scotland’s planning system responds to current resourcing challenges. It builds on ideas generated in a stakeholder workshop held in November, and sets out a series of proposals which aim to improve capacity and build resilience particularly within planning authorities. Part 1 of the consultation considers the potential...

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  • A two-wheeled tour of our ‘Dear Green Place’: exploring Glasgow’s active travel infrastructure on electric bikes

    11th August 2023 by

    Last month, a team of key Officers showcased Glasgow City Council’s (GCC) award-winning sustainable travel infrastructure to a group of planners and policy makers from Scottish Government’s Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division. It was an inspiring and informative day, witnessing first-hand the drive and enthusiasm behind improvements to Glasgow’s active travel infrastructure. We were a...

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  • Planning to live well locally – consultation on draft guidance

    24th May 2023 by

    We have a clear vision for growing a well-being economy, achieving net zero and building community wealth, but we’re often asked what this means for our places and communities. By planning places to help people to live well locally, we’re taking practical steps towards making this vision a reality. Our places should work for all...

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