Scotland's planning system is undergoing the most significant modernisation in over 60 years. The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 is a landmark piece of legislation. The changes introduced by the Act are substantial and work is underway to implement the provisions of the Planning Act.
The changes to primary legislation in form of the Act part of the wider package of modernisation set out in the White Paper Modernising the Planning System, which was developed following an extensive programme of consultations and stakeholder engagements on all aspects of the planning system.
Aims
The Scottish Government aims to deliver a modern planning system that is:
- Efficient: up to date development plans to be at the heart of an efficient system that provides certainty for users and local people
- Inclusive: local people to be more involved in the decisions that shape the development of their communities
- Fit for purpose: with a clear sense of priorities, and to address different issues in different ways
- Sustainable: development to contribute to economic growth that is sustainable. Planning will deliver sustainable development ensuring development is in the right place, and of, the right quality
Implementation timetable
Work is already underway to implement the provisions of the Act and the implementation timetable will be kept under review to reflect Parliamentary and commencement dates when these are confirmed.
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Latest
- Circular 4/2009 - Development Management Procedures, describes the requirements for processing planning applications covered by the amended Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure (Scotland) Regulations 2008 and the relevant provisions of the amended Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.
- Circular 5/2009 - Hierarchy of Developments, explains the three categories in the new hierarchy of developments, and sets out how major and local developments are classified.
- Circular 6/2009 - Planning Appeals, accompanies the Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 2008. It provides an overview of the new planning appeal procedures.
- Circular 7/2009 - Schemes of Delegation and Local Reviews, explains the requirements in the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 and the Town and Country Planning (Schemes of Delegation and Local Review Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 and procedures to be followed in preparing the new schemes of delegation and for requiring reviews of decisions taken under these.
Publications
Circular 1/2009 - Development Planning
Circular 2/2008 - Statutory Guidance on Strategic Development Planning Authorities
Circular 3/2008 - Strategic Development Plan Areas
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