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Planning, Architecture and Regeneration News – Consultation paper on Compulsory Purchase Reform in Scotland

The Scottish Government is carrying out a programme of work to reform and modernise Scotland’s compulsory purchase system. Following a commitment in the Programme for Government 2024/25, we have published a consultation on a comprehensive package of proposals and options for change.

Compulsory purchase reform in Scotland is long-overdue: legislation dating back almost 200 years remains on the statute book. The publication of this consultation marks an important step towards delivering the wholesale reform that many stakeholders have been calling for.

The proposed reforms are intended to make compulsory purchase simpler, more streamlined and fairer for all parties. The consultation has been informed by extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders, including a practitioner advisory group chaired by the Chief Planner and Roseanna Cunningham.  A number of questions on compulsory sale orders and compulsory lease orders are also included in the consultation paper.

The consultation runs from Friday 19 September to Friday 19 December 2025.

If you have any questions about the consultation or would like to speak to us, please get in touch at CPO.Reform@gov.scot. More information about the background to and objectives of the compulsory purchase reform programme can be found on our blog.

News

Natural Criteria World Heritage Sites Notification Direction

A new Direction setting out the arrangements for consultation and notifying planning applications where development may affect a World Heritage Site (WHS) with natural heritage value came into force on 25 September 2025. The Direction sets out a requirement for planning authorities to consult with NatureScot on development, other than householder development, which may affect a WHS with natural heritage value before granting or refusing an application for planning permission. The Direction also introduces a new requirement to notify the Scottish Ministers, restricting the granting of planning permission for development which is subject to an objection by NatureScot on WHS grounds. These requirements apply to both new planning applications and any that are currently being considered.

Housing Applications Notification Direction

On 2 September 2025, a Direction setting out the arrangements for notifying planning applications for 10 or more proposed new homes on land not allocated for housing in the LDP to the Scottish Ministers came into force. The Direction includes notification requirements so that the Scottish Ministers are alerted of any such planning applications within 7 days of validation. Authorities are also to notify the Scottish Ministers of details of the decisions taken on these applications. This will enable evidence-led monitoring of how NPF4 Policy 16 ‘Quality Homes’ is being applied. This requirement applies to both new planning applications and any that are currently being considered.

Housing Emergency Action Plan and the Planning System

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Minister for Public Finance wrote to stakeholders on 2 September 2025 setting out their expectations regarding the actions required by them to meet the housing emergency and support the delivery of new homes. Scottish Ministers have asked stakeholders to apply proportionality to tasks, to be accountable, and to enable and promote an increase in pace. This includes: applications being submitted with relevant information; information being provided timeously when requested; efficient determination timeframes for applications and legal agreements; proportionate and delivery-focused plan preparation; and meaningful and effective engagement and collaboration across interests.

Inspo days

Interested in a career in planning, or know someone who is?  We still have a few places available for our Inspo Day on Thursday 23 October 2025. Attendance is open to anyone who is interested in a career in planning. To register please email DirectorPAR@gov.scot stating your name, current role and age (must be 16 or over) by 10 October 2025.

We will email you to confirm your attendance as for security reasons you will not be able to just turn up. We will provide further information closer to the date. The event, which is free, will take place at Victoria Quay, Leith, Edinburgh, however please note we cannot cover your transport or lunch costs.

Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land Statistics

The Scottish Vacant and Derelict Land (SVDL) statistics (2024) were published on 12 September 2025. These statistics show the number, location and characteristics of VDL sites across Scotland. An updated site register and refreshed site map will be published at a later date.

Permitted Development Rights

On 3 September 2025 we published the consultation paper ‘Permitted development rights to support the provision of new homes’. The paper seeks views on options to streamline the planning process for new homes in town and city centres and in rural areas in certain circumstances. The consultation closes on 27 October 2025.

To help inform the above consultation we also prepared a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), which was published on 5 September 2025. This Environmental Report sets out the findings of the assessment of options for new or expanded PDR to support the provision of new homes, providing an opportunity for the public to consider this information and to use it to inform their views on the emerging proposals. Comments on the report can be made here until 27 October 2025.

Permitted Development Rights Post-Adoption Statement

We published an update to the Strategic Environmental Assessment Post Adoption Statement on 16 September. The statement was prepared for our programme of changes to Permitted Development Rights (PDR). This Update reflects the PDR changes which came into force on 24 May 2024 with the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024.

Planning Decisions

Recalled appeals

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

Notified Applications

Erection of 60 bed care home with associated landscaping, car parking and access following demolition of car dealership – NA-200-004

• called-in to DPEA

Environmental Impact Assessment – Screening request

Data centre campus including ancillary offices/employment floorspace, internal/external plant and equipment, emergency back up generators with associated fuel storage, a battery energy storage system (bess), internal roads and footpaths, cycle and car parking, hard and soft landscaping, security perimeter fencing, lighting, drainage, electricity substation and other associated works. Haspielaw Farm, Muttonhole Road, South Lanarkshire – EIA-380-002

• EIA required

Article 4 Direction

Udny Green Conservation Area – A4D-110-001

• authority granted