Scotland News and Updates

WOBO appreciates the links for updates provided by the Scottish government.

Planning, Architecture and Regeneration News

Future Planners Programme

We were delighted to welcome our new student planners to Victoria Quay earlier this month. They have had a busy couple of weeks with inductions, including meeting the Permanent Secretary along with Gregor Irwin, Director General Economy. They will spend some time meeting a wider range of stakeholders before taking up their places at university next month. As well as their university course the 17 students will undertake a programme of work-based learning over two years in the Scottish Government, supporting the flow of talent and qualified planners into roles within Government, as well as the wider planning service.

Inspo days are back

Interested in a career in planning? Come and join us for a free career day at the Scottish Government on Thursday 23 October 2025. Attendance is open to anyone who is interested in a career in planning. You can register by emailing DirectorPAR@gov.scot stating your name, current role and age (must be 16 or over). Closing date to register is 10 October 2025.

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.

Strengthening Communities Partnership

Earlier this month the Deputy First Minister announced support for almost 80 organisations delivering regeneration projects, to realise the economic potential of Scotland’s communities. £2.5 million has been allocated from the Strengthening Communities Programme in 2025-26 to continue supporting 62 organisations and begin work with a further 15. The funding will address various challenges across Scotland’s communities such as employability, population retention, lack of appropriate housing, tourism and heritage initiatives, and the expansion and development of community food hubs.

Our Place Website

The Ourplace.scot website is currently undergoing essential maintenance which means that the full site is not available just now. In the meantime, the majority of content can still be accessed via a recent National Records of Scotland archive. Unfortunately, the Place Standard tool is not accessible while we complete the work – we appreciate the inconvenience this may cause and hope to have the maintenance completed quickly. Any questions, please contact placestandard@gov.scot

Publications and consultations

Aggregate Minerals Survey

The latest aggregate mineral data for Scotland has been gathered and is included within the recently published Aggregate Minerals survey for Great Britain.

The National Planning Framework 4 under Minerals (Policy 33), outlines that Local Development Plans should support a landbank of construction aggregates of at least 10-years at all times in the relevant market areas. Planning authorities can therefore use this latest aggregate mineral data to help calculate their landbank.

Planning obligations consultation

The draft guidance for comment on Planning Obligations and Good Neighbour Agreements remains open for comment until 30 September. Once finalised, this will replace Circular 3/2012, reflecting changes in law and practice since the publication of that Circular. We are now seeking views on the guidance to check that it is clearly written and provides appropriate advice. Please send any comments to Planning.Obligations@gov.scot. Please use the same email address if you would like to arrange a discussion on the draft guidance.

Decisions issued

Compulsory Purchase Order

The City of Edinburgh Council (Meadowbank Gas Governor Site) Compulsory Purchase Order 2025 – CPO-230-004

• Case transferred to DPEA for allocation to a reporter

Article 4 Directions

East Lothian Conservation Areas – A4D-210-001

• Order or Notice Confirmed in Part or Modified

Notified Applications

Erection of 22 self-catering apartments, shops, hotel and underground parking: land 80m SW of Mountain Cafe, 111 Grampian road, Aviemore – NA-001-001

• Notice of Intention issued

Environmental Impact Assessment – screening request

Strome Mor, Loch Carron – EIA-270-003

• EIA required

Recalled Appeal

Beinn Reithe, Loch Long, installation of a marine fish farm and associated development including shore base, slipway and pontoon and road upgrades – PPA-002-2020

• Application granted with conditions

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