The Scottish Government

The Directorate for the Built Environment (DBE) is headed by Jim Mackinnon, Chief Planner. The purpose of the Directorate is to work in partnership with others towards implementing a modernised planning system that supports the Scottish Government's central, overarching purpose of increasing the rate of sustainable, economic growth.

Our Goal

DBE contributes to the Scottish Government's central purpose through legislation, policies, actions and decisions on architecture and place making, building standards and planning. The outcome should be well designed spaces and buildings that are safe, healthy, efficient and sustainable.

Objectives

• implement a legislative framework for a planning system that re-establishes the primacy of development planning, and provides for decisions to be taken efficiently and inclusively.
• encourage a planning culture that supports investment in sustainable economic growth and encourages positive participation.
• publish a national and strategic policy framework that sets a vision for Scotland's long-term spatial development and supports the efficient processing of developments in the national interest.
• ensure prompt, efficient and transparent handling of planning matters referred to Scottish Ministers, resulting in fair and robust planning decisions; and the timely approval of structure plans.
• support a well performing planning system, making best use of evidence-based policies and advice.
• promote a planning system which supports the development of a high quality built environment, recognising the value of our built heritage and well designed contemporary architecture.
• review existing building standards to secure the health, safety, welfare and convenience of people in and around buildings; furthering the conservation of fuel and power; and furthering the achievement of sustainable development.
• implement the Low Carbon Building Standards strategy as set out in the Sullivan Report.
• implement the remainder of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).
• deliver the most effective structure for obtaining advice from the construction industry to support the Directorate and ensuring that the building standards system runs successfully and efficiently.
• promote the design agenda through delivery of the Scottish Sustainable Communities Initiative and the publication of Designing Places, both of which should create better places.