Development management (formerly called Development Control) ensures planning applications and other consents are processed through the planning system. The procedures for dealing with applications are set down in the The Town and Country (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, as amended.
[Please note this is a link to the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) website and does not incorporate the GPDO amendment orders made since 1992].
Applications for planning permission are dealt with, in the first instance, by the planning authority (usually the local council). Each planning authority works under the general principle that decisions are taken locally, unless there are specific reasons for referring them to Scottish Ministers. In most cases, the Scottish government will only consider major applications. Ministers will also only intervene in very exceptional circumstances to determine a planning application.
Policy summary
Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 1: The Planning System sets out the current policy on development management. This is supported by Planning Advice Note (PAN) 40 Development Control .
The future policy aims are to make development management:
- fit for purpose
- responsive to different types of development proposals
- lead to improved efficiency in the determination of applications
- improve public involvement in the consideration of proposals requiring planning permission
- improve transparency by moving the responsibility for neighbour notification to the planning authority
- ensure the content of decision notices and reports are publicly available
- a more robust and project managed approach to processing agreements
Latest
The development management process is currently under review. The proposed new planning system aims to set out how different types of development should be dealt with, and who, should be involved in the process. Work is also underway to remove a significant number of minor household developments from the planning application process by extending permitted development rights in this area.
Development management Regulations and related secondary legislation should be in place by the end of 2008, for commencement with the relevant provisions of the Planning Etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 beginning in early 2009.
Consultations
Publications