Planning Service
Applying for Planning Permission
The planning system guides the use and development of land in the long term public interest. If you are planning on submitting an application it is advisable to contact a planning officer to discuss your proposals.
Application Forms and Guidance
Full or detailed planning permission
This type of application allows you to submit full details of the proposal in one stage. The plans require to be sufficient to show full details of the development clearly and accurately. Change of use is required when you wish to change the use of a house or building from its existing use.
Planning permission in principle (formerly outline planning permission)
The purpose of such an application is to establish whether the principle of developing a piece of land is acceptable. A further application(s) for the approval of matters specified in conditions is then required to confirm the final detail of the development.
Applications for the approval of matters specified in conditions (formerly approval of reserved matters)
This type of application is for the submission of details required by conditions imposed on the granting of planning permission in principle.
Modification, variation or removal of planning conditions
If you are unable or unwilling to comply with a condition attached to an existing consent, you may apply for its removal, variation or modification. Detail of the reasons or justification for the condition to be removed, altered or varied should form part of the application.
All of the above applications can be made using the following form:
- Planning Application Form (PDF, 150K)
- Planning Application Form Guidance (PDF, 75K)
- Example Site Plan (PDF, 245K)
- Guidance on OS Maps (PDF, 25K)
- Planning Fees (PDF, 35K)
- Guidance Leaflets
- Fire Safety for the Erection of a Dwellinghouse
Review and Appeal Procedures
Local Applications
If you feel aggrieved by the decision of the Planning Service to (i) refuse permission for the proposed development (ii) to refuse approval required by a condition in respect of the proposed development or (iii) to grant permission or approval subject to conditions, you may require the Comhairle Local Review Body to review the case within three months from the date of the decision notice. The Notice of Review can be submitted by email or by post to the Comhairle. Please follow the Notice of Review Guidance Notes to assist you.
Design Guidance
Design is a material consideration in the determination of a planning application. Below are the Comhairle's guidelines relating to the design of new houses and extensions.
Design Statements and Design and Access Statements
A Design Statement is now required for certain applications, namely Planning Applications for developments within:
- the World Heritage Site of St Kilda
- Conservation Areas (Gearrannan, Ruisgarry, Howmore and parts of Stornoway)
- the designed landscape of the Lews Castle Grounds
- the South Lewis, Harris, and North Uist National Scenic Area or the South Uist Machair National Scenic Area
- the site of a Scheduled Monument
- the curtilage of a category A listed building
(Please see our Local Plan for detailed maps on the above)
Design and Access Statements will be required for Major and National developments, as defined by the Scottish Government’s hierarchy of development.
Exceptions include applications for Planning Permission for (i) Engineering or mining operations or (ii) development relating to an existing dwellinghouse or (iii) Material Changes of Use. Furthermore, “Design Statements” are not a statutory requirement for applications for “Planning Permission in Principle” or “Approval of Matters Specified in Conditions” but the Comhairle’s Planning Service may, at its discretion, require a Statement through a condition attached to a Planning Permission in Principle.
Other Applications to the Planning Service
Prior Notification is required for proposals to erect buildings on agricultural land used for purposes related to agriculture. There are exceptions, where a full planning application is required - these are detailed in the Prior Notification form.
Advertisement Consent is required for the display of certain types of advertisements and signage.
A Certificate of Lawfulness can be applied for, either to confirm that proposed development does not need planning permission, or to confirm that any existing development that did not have planning permission does not now require planning consent.
Certificate of Lawfulness (Existing Use) (PDF, 110K)- Certificate of Lawfulness (Proposed Use) (PDF, 59K)
Consent for Mineral Working is required for winning and working of minerals, and also certain infill.
Consent for Marine Fish Farming is required for the placement, alteration/extension or change of use of a marine fish farm.
- Marine Fish Farming Planning Application (PDF, 270K)
Marine Fish Farming Notice to Owners of land or seabed (PDF, 80K)
The Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) website also holds various aquaculture templates: www.sarf.org.uk .
Conservation Area / Listed Building Consent
Conservation Area Consent is required for the demolition of any unlisted building or structure in a conservation area (with very limited exceptions).
Listed Building Consent is required for any works, internal and or external, extension or alteration or involving the demolition of a listed building. A listed building includes any object or structure that has been within the curtilage of the listed building since before 1st July 1948.
If you are unsure whether your work is within a conservation area or will affect a listed building, please contact the Planning Service.
- Application for Conservation Area Consent (PDF, 370K)
- Application for Listed Building Consent (PDF, 300K)
There is no charge for making an application for Conservation Area or Listed Building consent.
