WOBO appreciates the links for updates provided by the Scottish government.
Planning, Architecture and Regeneration News
Future Planners Programme
We were delighted to accept the Best Apprenticeship/Graduate Programme Award for the Future Planners Programme, on behalf of the Scottish Government at last night’s Herald and S1Jobs Top Employer Awards 2025. The Future Planners Programme provides the opportunity to study part-time towards a planning qualification whilst undertaking 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.
Legislation
Section 3F Repeal Order
The Climate Change (Local Development Plan) (Repeals) (Scotland) Order 2025 was approved by the Scottish Parliament on 01 October 2025 and will come into force on 01 November 2025. This Order repeals Section 3F of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and Sections 72 and 73 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.
This Order follows publication of the Section 3F annual report in March 2025. The report concluded that the requirement for local development plans to include policy related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the use (or operation) of new buildings was no longer necessary, given that technologies are now well embedded in new development and the latest policy and regulatory position goes beyond what Section 3F can achieve.
Repeal of the legislation acts only on the requirement for planning authorities to include the Section 3F approach in their next local development plans. Repeal of the legislation does not alter or repeal any current adopted local development plan policies that are a response to Section 3F.
Guidance
Small / Medium Enterprise (SME) Homebuilders and Development on Smaller Sites
On 1 October the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and the Minister for Public Finance wrote to planning authorities relating to SME homebuilders and development on smaller sites. The letter highlights the need for proportionality in the approach to required assessments and ensuring planning conditions are necessary so the viability of developments is not put at risk.
National Planning Framework 4: Policy 22 (flood risk and water management) – Chief Planner letter
On 13 October a letter on National Planning Framework 4: Policy 22 (Flood risk and water management) was issued to planning authorities. This letter replaces the one previously published on 11 June 2025 to accommodate changes that have been made to improve clarity. For transparency, details of what has changed is provided in Annex A.
Planning and Housing Emergency Development Plan update
Since the publication of the Planning and the Housing Emergency Delivery Plan last November, we have worked collaboratively and at pace to make significant progress towards delivery of the 23 actions within it. Earlier this week we published a blog which sets out the progress against those actions and next steps. We are grateful for the time and expertise that many planning stakeholders have contributed, and continue to contribute, to support the positive progress across all of this work.
Open consultations
Compulsory Purchase Reform
The Scottish Government’s consultation on compulsory purchase reform remains open until Friday 19 December.
The reforms proposed in the consultation are intended to make compulsory purchase simpler, more streamlined and fairer for all parties. A number of questions on compulsory sale orders and compulsory lease orders are also included in the consultation paper.
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.
Other news
Inspo days
Interested in a career in planning, or know someone who is? Come and join us for a free career day at the Scottish Government on Monday 01 December. 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 Friday 21 November.
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 cannot cover your transport or lunch costs. Please book early as places are limited!
Shape Scotland’s Future: Join Our Planning Network
Are you an experienced professional in planning, architecture, urban design, or a related discipline?
The Scottish Government is building a Talent Bank of skilled individuals to support the work of the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) and the National Planning Hub.
This isn’t a recruitment exercise for immediate roles. Instead, we’re inviting expressions of interest from professionals who’d like to be considered for flexible opportunities as they arise.
By joining our Talent Bank, you’ll be among the first to hear when suitable roles become available, giving you the chance to contribute your expertise to important planning work across Scotland. You can express your interest at Join our Planning Network – Scottish Government Jobs.