Scotland: News and Updates

WOBO appreciates the news and updates provided by the Scottish Government.

Planning, Architecture and Regeneration News

Masterplan Consent Areas Guidance

Masterplan Consent Areas (MCA) Guidance and associated impact assessments were published on Tuesday 28 January, to support the new MCA regulations. MCAs allow for place leadership and offer a streamlined approach to consenting planning, roads construction, listed building and conservation area applications.

The Programme for Government committed to support early adopters of MCAs. As we move to the delivery phase we have met with the first of the early adopter planning authorities and will be discussing the provisions with the housing industry, as a possible measure to support the housing emergency. Success will depend on strong collaborative partnerships to ensure MCAs schemes are well-designed, deliverable and align with broader outcomes.

View the MCA Guidance at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836911456

View the impact assessments at: https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781836911463

Future Planners Programme

We are launching our Future Planners Programme in February 2025. Playing our part in securing a future pipeline of planners, this is an exciting opportunity for up to 18 graduates to join the Scottish Government as Student Planners, working on a fixed-term 23 month contract within the Scottish Government, together with payment of university fees to undertake a postgraduate planning course, and a comprehensive learning and development programme. Further details about the programme will launch soon, and we would ask all partners to help us promote the programme to support us in growing the profession.

Calling out – future planners: attend an ‘inspo’ day 

Interested in a career in planning? Come and join us for a day at the Scottish Government.

The Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate invite you to attend our free career day on 6 March 2025. Attendance is open to anyone who is interested in a career in planning and wants to meet the team who are shaping Scotland’s planning system.

You can register by emailing Susan.Stirling@gov.scot stating your name, current role and age (must be 16 or over). Closing date to register is 21 February 2025.

Please book early as spaces are limited! Once you sign up, we will send you an email confirming your attendance. For security reasons you will not be able to just turn up. Closer, to the day of the event, you’ll be sent a programme.

The event will take place in Victoria Quay, Leith, Edinburgh but we will not be able to cover your transport costs or lunch. We look forward to inspiring you!   For more information, visit our Linkedin.

Permitted Development Rights

The Housing Emergency Delivery Plan contained a commitment for us to consider and engage widely on the potential scope for further permitted development rights which could support housing delivery in specific circumstances. We published a blog late last year which explains more about this work. How can permitted development rights help address the housing emergency? Responses and thoughts on the issues raised in the Blog would be welcomed by 14 February 2025.

For any queries or input into the subject please contact: HousingEmergencyPDR@gov.scot