Development Planning
The Scottish planning system is 'plan-led'. Development plans are prepared by planning authorities (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 line with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The development plan system is undergoing modernisation. In the new system the development plan will consist of strategic development plans (in the 4 biggest city regions only), nationwide coverage of local development plans, and supplementary guidance.
Policy summary
Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) 1: The Planning System sets the policy context for development planning. This is supported by Planning Advice Note 37: Structure Planning and PAN 49: Local 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).