The Scottish Government

Planning has a key role to play in ensuring that the development required to achieve economic growth in Scotland is managed in a sustainable way.

Scotland needs a system that will restore confidence in planning and revitalise it as a critical tool for shaping the future of cities, towns and rural areas. Changes to legislation, policies and procedures will not achieve this alone.

To unlock planning's potential, positive changes to processes and behaviours will be required of all the organisations and individuals that operate and interact with the system.

This guide sets out what the Government, the Royal Town Planning Institute ( RTPI) and planning authorities are doing to adapt to the new system and how they will change their approach towards the main elements of planning - development planning, development management and enforcement.

Other stakeholders are also critical to the success of the modernised system and this guide discusses how the Scottish Government can work together to ensure that a planning system is secured that is fit for purpose, efficient, inclusive and sustainable.

The Government cannot do this alone and the success of the proposals for modernisation are reliant on good partnership working between the Scottish Government's Built Environment Directorate, Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals, planning authorities, the RTPI, communities, applicants, developers, consultants, consultees and planning schools.

• Leadership: The Scottish Government has already demonstrated its determination to reform and modernise the planning system through the White Paper, the Act, support for e-planning, investment in the skills and knowledge within the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. The Scottish Government has done this in a way that is open and inclusive, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders.
• National Planning Framework: The Scottish Government are engaging with a wide range of stakeholders in preparing the National Planning Framework. National developments and key policy requirements will be articulated in the consultative draft of the framework. The Scottish Government will take into account the views of Parliament in finalising and implementing the framework.
• Policy and Guidance: The Scottish Government will publish a range of Scottish Planning Policy documents setting out details of new policy requirements in consultation with stakeholders. It will also review and update relevant Planning Advice Notes including those covering development planning, development management and enforcement.
• Development Planning: The Scottish Government will progress secondary legislation through Parliament and continue to promote the importance of relevant and up to date development plans in shaping Scotland's cities, towns and rural areas. Guidance and advice will support planning authorities in the efficient preparation of clear plans that are focussed on delivery. The Scottish Government will ensure that the approval process for strategic development plans is effectively managed.
• The Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals will manage the examination process for strategic and local development plans, and will ensure that plans have been drawn up through effective participation and cooperation between planning authorities, communities and other key stakeholders.
• Development Management: The Scottish Government will handle casework within agreed timescales and will take decisions that support up to date development plans. Additional burdens on development management will be minimised, for example, when developing legislation, policy or making requests for information. The Scottish Government will seek to improve service delivery and share experiences through the new planning performance framework.
• The Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals will ensure inquiries and hearings become more efficient. A more concise form of decision letter will be introduced.
• Enforcement: The Scottish Government will support and encourage authorities to take a pro-active role in dealing with unauthorised development. The Scottish Government will promote good practice through a revised Planning Advice Note.
• Communication: The Scottish Government will maintain the momentum of planning modernisation by communicating the implementation of the new planning system through a range of methods. The Scottish Government will continue to liaise regularly with COSLA and planning authorities and provide advice through our Planning Helpline (0131 244 7543). The Scottish Government will promote good practice through publications, presentations and the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning. It will improve access to information on the modernisation agenda through this site and will seek advice on how to improve communication with stakeholders.
• Assessment: The Scottish Government will develop a positive and robust performance management framework, with greater emphasis on ongoing self-assessment by planning authorities. There will be clear processes for following up recommendations from assessments, as well as supporting measures to share best practice and deliver continued improvements in performance.
• Training and Capacity Building: The Scottish Government has provided resources for learning and development in planning authorities through the Planning Development Programme. It will continue to liaise with the Programme Manager at the Improvement Service to ensure that appropriate learning opportunities are delivered and encourage authorities to make best use of this valuable resource.