{"id":3283,"date":"2025-10-28T10:33:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T10:33:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/planning-architecture\/?p=3283"},"modified":"2025-10-28T10:33:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T10:33:19","slug":"planning-and-the-housing-emergency-delivery-plan-actions-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/planning-architecture\/2025\/10\/28\/planning-and-the-housing-emergency-delivery-plan-actions-update\/","title":{"rendered":"Planning and the Housing Emergency Delivery Plan \u2013 Actions Update"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Since publication of the Planning and the Housing Emergency Delivery Plan<\/a> last November, we have worked collaboratively and at pace to make significant progress towards delivery of the 23 actions within it. Building on that momentum, we are now progressing more planning actions which we committed in The Housing Emergency Action Plan (HEAP)<\/a>, as we explained in our letter<\/a> of 2 September. We are grateful for the time and expertise that many planning stakeholders have contributed, and continue to contribute, to support the positive progress across all of this work.

Here’s an update on the 23 actions:

Policy: a strong and consistent planning and policy framework for investment<\/strong>

1. Consistent application of policies \u2013 in progress \/ HEAP
\u2022 We have issued Chief Planner letters that have reinforced that NPF4 policies should be read and applied as a whole (June 2024<\/a> \/ April 2025<\/a>).
\u2022 We are monitoring application of policy through the housing notification direction<\/a>.

2. Mechanisms to stimulate build out \u2013 in progress \/ HEAP
\u2022 We will issue a consultation this autumn, on \u2018Accelerating Build Out\u2019, exploring potential fiscal and legislative measures to increase the volume of delivery, including specific measures that could support SMEs.

3. Promote good practice in demonstrating community benefits from new housing developments \u2013 complete
\u2022 We worked with authorities, the housing industry and community sector to review existing approaches and identify best practice, which was promoted in a blog<\/a>.

Delivery: actively enabling and facilitating development<\/strong>

4. Establish an action focused planning hub \u2013 in progress \/ HEAP
\u2022 We have established the National Planning Hub, which has prioritised housing and is supporting planning authorities with surge capacity and expertise.
\u2022 We have worked closely with industry and other stakeholders to remove barriers to stalled housing sites so they are development ready.
\u2022 We have committed to drive improved customer service in planning departments. The National Planning Improvement Champion (NPIC), with support from the Planning Hub, will carry out a sprint to strengthen service quality by the end of 2025.

5. Work with SME housebuilders to better understand the challenges they face with the planning system and identify actions to support them \u2013 in progress \/ HEAP
\u2022 We have convened and collaborated with the Proportionality of Assessment Short Life Working Group<\/a>.
\u2022 We have published a blog Championing proportionality of planning assessments<\/a> which highlights the key principles and best practice identified by the Group.
\u2022 We have written<\/a> to planning authorities stressing the need for proportionality in the planning system in relation to SME housebuilders.

6. Help early adopters to put in place Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We have introduced legislation enabling\u202fMCAs\u202fto simplify upfront consenting and support investment.
\u2022 We have published Masterplan Consent Areas guidance<\/a> (Jan 2025).
\u2022 We are providing grants for up to \u00a3280,000\u202fto support rollout in\u202fGlasgow, East Renfrewshire, and Highland Councils.

7. Help planning authorities to bring forward new style development plans including a pipeline of deliverable housing land and delivery programmes \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We are now collecting 6 monthly updates on LDP preparation timescales, with the first ones received at the end of September 2025.
\u2022 We have supported shared learning sessions on Evidence Reports and on Delivery Programmes.
\u2022 We are actively engaging with authorities to identify and support tasks to enable earlier plan preparation, through the National Planning Hub.
\u2022 We have published Housing Land Audit: guidance<\/a>.
\u2022 We are monitoring housing figures in plans as they come forward.
\u2022 We are working with authorities and Homes for Scotland to promote effective engagement on deliverability of land, to support timely preparation on HLAs and inform new LDPs.
\u2022 We are working with HOPS, authorities, DPEA, and the National Planning Improvement Champion to support a proportionate, efficient approach to evidence reports and gatecheck.

8. Continue to work with our advisory group and other stakeholders to progress compulsory purchase reform ahead of a consultation in 2025 \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We have published a consultation<\/a> on a comprehensive package of reform proposals on 19 September 2025.

Efficiency: an end-to-end approach to improving the efficiency of the system<\/strong>

9. Continue to support the National Planning Improvement Champion (NPIC) to roll out a new framework for performance improvement \u2013 in progress \/ HEAP
\u2022 We fund the NPIC post based within the Improvement Service (since 2023).
\u2022 The NPIC has piloted a new National Planning Improvement Framework, with focus now on progressing improvement actions.
\u2022 We are supporting the NPIC to lead on a Customer Service Sprint to strengthen planning service quality. A recent webinar on Customer Care was delivered to public sector planners, through the National Planning Hub.
\u2022 We have supported a Place Promotion and Housing Delivery event in partnership with the National Planning Hub in October.

10. Work with planning authorities and applicants to increase the use of processing agreements and pre-application advice \u2013 complete
\u2022 We have published a blog<\/a> on the benefits of pre-application discussions and processing agreements.

11. Provide advice on further streamlining and consistency in validation of planning applications \u2013 complete
\u2022 We have convened the Proportionality of Assessment Short Life Working Group<\/a>.
\u2022 We have published a blog<\/a> Championing proportionality of planning assessments which highlights the key principles and best practice identified by the Group.

12. Work with Heads of Planning Scotland to develop advice on standardised planning conditions \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We have provided grant funding to Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS) to develop standard wording templates for common planning conditions.
\u2022 Draft templates are being refined and disseminated by HOPS.

13. Work with Heads of Planning Scotland to encourage the use of a standard template for Section 75 planning agreements \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We have provided grant funding to HOPS to develop a guide\/template that can be issued in the preparation of S75 agreements.
\u2022 We have published Draft Guidance<\/a> on Planning Obligations and Good Neighbour Agreements. Comments are now being analysed and the updated guidance will be published soon.

14. Work with Heads of Planning Scotland to identify and share best practice in aligning various consents \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We have provided grant funding to support HOPS to identify good practice in aligning consenting processes.
\u2022 HOPS are currently finalising a good practice case study.

15. Stop work on the introduction of an infrastructure levy \u2013 complete

16. Highlight examples of good practice in development management \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We have continued to fund the NPIC, who has published a number of case studies<\/a> provided through the National Planning Improvement Framework.

17. Consider and engage widely on the potential scope for further permitted development rights which could support housing delivery \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We had a live PDR consultation<\/a> on potential measures to simplify planning processes and encourage new homes, which closed on 27 October 2025.

Capacity: investing in capacity with access to excellent professional skills and expertise<\/strong>

18. Treble the number of bursaries offered to post-graduate planning students \u2013 complete
\u2022 We have trebled the number of bursaries in 2025 from 10 to 30 for students undertaking post-graduate planning degrees in Scottish planning schools.
\u2022 This has prompted the provision of 5 additional Homes for Scotland bursaries, funded by housing developers.

19. Increase fees for planning applications \u2013 complete
\u2022 We have introduced an annual inflation linked increase to planning fees.
\u2022 We have extended the range of services for which an authority can introduce charges
\u2022 We have introduced fees for appealing planning decisions to Local Review Bodies and Scottish Ministers.

20. Work with the National Planning Improvement Champion, who is leading the Hydrogen Planning Hub, to identify where wider improvement work can help to address the process and practice challenges with housing that applicants, such as SMEs, are experiencing \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We have incorporated the Hydrogen Hub into the National Planning Hub (from April 2025), working in partnership with the National Planning Improvement Champion.
\u2022 We have discussed with the NPIC what information and improvement actions have arisen from National Planning Improvement Framework reporting and customer survey.
\u2022 We have undertaken discussions with the SME housebuilder sector, notably including participation of the Cabinet Secretary for Housing in a roundtable.

21. Develop arrangements for local elected member training \u2013 in progress
\u2022 We have provided grant funding to Planning Aid Scotland to prepare a route map for implementing mandatory elected member training.
\u2022 We are progressing the development of a mandatory training package which will be available for the 2027 local government election.

22. Launch a Scottish Government graduate programme \u2013 complete
\u2022 We have established the Future Planners Programme, with 17 Future Planners now in place on the Programme, combining employment in planning roles with funded post-graduate studies.

23. Roll out a co-ordinated skills and recruitment drive \u2013 complete
\u2022 We have rolled out a planning skills commitment plan with a programme that set out opportunities for pooling learning and development and promoting the planning profession.

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