Planning Service
Planning Modernisation
Changes to the Scottish Planning System
The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 has introduced substantial changes to key components of the planning system, including changes to development planning and development management. Work is now well under way to implement the provisions of the Act with many changes, (for example, a new development plan system) already introduced and the remainder (planning application procedures and assessment) to be introduced in early August 2009. More information on Planning Modernisation can be found on the Scottish Government website.
In implementing the modernisation reforms locally, the Comhairle has commenced preparation of new
Local Development Plan. As a first stage a Main Issues Report is being produced to encourage early engagement in the process.
The procedures and assessment of planning applications (Development Management) will be changing from 3 August 2009. Some of the changes worth noting are the following:
- Neighbour Notification will be carried out by the Comhairle.
- In order to validate applications, more detailed drawings/plans will be expected of applicants.
- The Comhairle will implement a new Scheme of Delegation (PDF, 20K) for local developments.
- Appeals on local development planning decisions will be decided by a Local Review Body made up of elected members of the Comhairle.
- Design Statements will be required for developments within a Conservation Area, National Scenic Area, within the boundary of a Listed Building, or in the case of developments classed as major.
We will be updating these Planning Modernising pages to give you more detail. Comhairle Development Management has prepared information highlighting the changes in the procedures and assessment of planning applications:
Planning Modernisation Presentation (PDF, 520K)
Pamphlet on Planning Modernisation (PDF, 315K)
Pre-application Consultation (PAC) with Communities
From 6 April 2009, developments fall under a new hierarchy, consisting of national, major and local developments. Pre-application consultation on national and major developments allows local communities to be better informed and to have an opportunity to contribute their views before a planning application is submitted. As a matter of good practice, pre-application consultation (PAC) could also be beneficial for developments which fall into the local developments category, although this is not mandatory.
In instances where the applicant is uncertain whether their proposal, by virtue of its nature and scale, falls within one of the categories or thresholds which determines the proposal as either major or national, the applicant can consult with our Pre-application Consultation (PAC) Guidance Notes; or, if still in doubt, the developer can submit a Pre-application Screening Notice (optional) in order to allow the Comhairle to determine the nature and scale of the proposal:
- Pre-application Consultation (PAC) Guidance Notes (PDF, 120K)
Pre-application Screening Notice (PDF, 30K)
Before pre-application consultation starts, the prospective applicant should submit a Proposal of Application Notice to the Planning Authority. This starts the consultation process. PAN 81 on Community Engagement gives useful advice on what form consultation should take. As a minimum, there has to be at least 1 public meeting, which must be advertised at least 7 days in advance in a local newspaper. Pre-application consultation does not replace the opportunity for individuals and communities to express their formal views during the course of the planning application.
Applicants can contact us if they wish to have initial pre-application discussions and to discuss what type of pre-application consultation a proposal would benefit from.
