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Planning, Architecture and Regeneration News
Changes to Planning Fees
Today we laid three sets of regulations before the Scottish Parliament to bring about the second phase of changes to planning fees. Regulations are, subject to Parliamentary procedure, due to come into force on 9 June 2025, and will see: a further inflation-linked increase to the cost of planning fees, in line with the Consumer Price Index of 3.3% for 2024; the introduction of fees for appeals to Scottish Ministers, and; the introduction of fees for local reviews. The increase to fees and the introduction of fees for appealing planning decisions will ensure that our planning system is appropriately resourced and assist in delivering the improvements we all want to see.
Chief Planner and Ministerial Letter
The Chief Planner and Minister for Public Finance issued a letter to Heads of Planning Scotland last Monday. The letter provides an update on our progress in delivering the commitments in our Planning and the Housing Emergency Delivery Plan and our wider work programme. It also sets out our actions under the priority themes of policy, delivery, efficiency and capacity.
Bursaries
Late last month saw the launch of the Future Planner Bursary scheme. This year we have trebled the number of bursaries funded by us. The £5000 bursaries are available to 30 students on an RTPI-accredited Planning Masters in Scotland for 2025/26 to assist with course fees and living expenses. Applicants must apply directly to their university of choice. More information on the scheme is available here.
Blogs
We have published two blogs this month on ways in which the planning process can be streamlined and create more certainty. The blog on proportionality of planning assessments highlights key principles and best practice identified by the Group and consideration on a case by case basis, whether, why, what and when information should be required to inform decisions.
The second blog highlights the benefits of collaborative pre-application discussions and processing agreements. Their role in providing clarity and certainty to all parties and how they can make the planning journey smoother and often quicker. If you have a case study you think we would be interested in please let us know. The blog gives details of how to get in touch or you can leave a comment on the page.
Planning Fees
We laid three sets of regulations before the Scottish Parliament on 28 April to bring about the second phase of changes to planning fees. The Regulations are, subject to Parliamentary procedure, due to come into force on 9 June 2025. The regulations provide for a further inflation-linked increase to the cost of planning fees of 3.3% for 2024; the introduction of fees for appeals to Scottish Ministers, and; the introduction of fees for local reviews. The draft regulations can be found on the Scottish Parliament’s website.
Planning Skills
Its been just over a month since we launched the Planning Skills Commitment Plan. In those few short weeks we have had a wide range of training take place, with lots more planned for future months. The schedule of events can be found on our skills page, where we update content regularly.
Planning Decisions
Notified applications
Demolition of yard buildings and garages serving existing tenement properties; construction of replacement parking court comprising 12x garages and 4x parking spaces to serve existing tenement properties; erection of 63x new homes with associated access, landscaping, parking and services (as amended). – NA-230-008
- cleared back to planning authority with conditions
Notification directions
Mixed use development including business and employment uses (class 4); hotels (class 7) and ancillary uses including retail (class 1), financial and professional services (class 2), food and drink (class 3), residential (class 9), non-residential institutions (class 10), assembly and leisure (class 11), sui generis flatted development; associated works including car parking, servicing, access and public realm (as amended) – NOD-EDB-003 – notice of intention issued