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Planning, Architecture and Regeneration News
Information updated: Planning Fees
The second phase of changes to planning fees come into effect from today. The three sets of regulations, laid last month, come into force today and see an inflation-linked increase of 3.3% to planning application fees, and the introduction of fees for local reviews and appeals to Scottish Ministers. Planning Circulars 2/2025 and 3/2025 have been published to provide advice and guidance on the changes to fees. The ePlanning fee calculator will be updated with the new fee levels and to include local review and appeal fees.
Please note the ePlanning site does not currently allow appellants to pay fees for Notice of Review forms. The system will be updated at 5pm today to allow appellants to pay for local review fees, where applicable.
The Town and Country Planning (Masterplan Consent Areas) (Scotland) Direction 2025
The Town and Country Planning (Masterplan Consent Areas) (Scotland) Direction 2025 came into force on Monday 12 May 2025. It will ensure the same notification triggers that exist for planning applications also apply to Masterplan Consent Area (MCA) schemes, providing for appropriate Ministerial scrutiny of those MCA schemes that may raise issues of importance. Planning Circular 1/2025: Notification to Ministers of Masterplan Consent Area Schemes, contains the Direction and explains its triggers and the information requirements when notifying Ministers.
Calling out – future planners: last chance to attend our ‘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 Thursday 5 June, where we will be joined by Scottish Power and Historic Environment Scotland. 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 3 June 2025.
We only have a few spaces left! 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 some information.
The event will take place in Victoria Quay, Leith, Edinburgh but we will not be able to cover your transport costs or lunch. Feel free to bring a packed lunch or purchase food in our canteen. We look forward to inspiring you!
National Planning Skills Commitment Plan
We’d like to thank everyone who has either led, participated and supported May’s Commitment Plan Schedule. Next week, we will launch June’s Schedule on the Our Place website.
- Training will focus on Leadership, through a number of new ‘Listen-Up’ podcasts, from professionals across the sector, as well as highlighting some good Development Management examples.
- Recruitment will focus on ‘Opening the Workplace’ together with an insight into working in more rural areas.
Following June’s launch, we will pause to review, and then re-connect as we move forward. Please enjoy June’s Schedule of learning and inspiration.
Planning Hub
The Chief Planner wrote to Heads of Planning on 15 May 2025 to provide further detail on the National Planning Hub. The Hub will focus on housing and onshore energy (hydrogen, wind and battery) and the letter sets out what support is available to them through the Hub. It also outlines the next steps and invites them to respond with any priority requests for support by the end of this month.
Regeneration Capital Funding
Last week the Deputy First Minister confirmed 24 regeneration projects that will receive a share of £21.5m of Scottish Government funding through the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) and the Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme (VDLIP). The projects will transform derelict sites across Scotland, creating homes, community centres and more.
The announcement coincided with a call for expressions of interest in 2026-27 funding to support regeneration projects in disadvantaged communities. As set out in the 2025 Programme for Government, future Scottish Government support for regeneration projects will be channelled through one national fund – the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund – to streamline the application and delivery process. More information about the fund and a full list of projects supported since its inception is available on gov.scot.