Development Planning
The Scottish planning system is 'plan-led'. Development plans are prepared by planning authorities (and national park and strategic development planning authorities) and set out a vision for how areas will change. They describe where development will happen and where it will not. Planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The development plan system has been modernised by the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006. National coverage of structure and local plans has been replaced by a development plan that will consist of strategic development plans (in the 4 largest city regions only), nation-wide coverage of local development plans and supplementary guidance.
Progress on development plans is provided by each planning authority.
Policy summary
Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets the policy context for development planning. The future aim is to make development plans:
- contain a spatial strategy consisting of clear policies and proposals which set out a long term vision for an area.
- identify the types of development that will, and will not, be permitted in specified locations.
- be produced quickly and remain up-to-date (the 2006 Planning Act requires plans to be reviewed on a five-yearly basis).
- ensure delivery (the Planning Act requires plans to be accompanied by action programmes setting out who needs to do what, and when, in order to deliver the development envisaged by the plan).
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