The Planning System in Scotland

The key responsibilities of the Scottish Government on planning are:

• maintaining and developing planning legislation
• representing Scottish Government interests in development plans, notified applications, recalled appeals and other casework that comes before Scottish Ministers
• preparing and monitoring delivery of the National Planning Framework
• providing clear and proportionate planning policy and advice
• facilitating the dissemination of good practice
• promoting high quality design and place making
• leading and coordinating the implementation of e-Planning

It publishes a Service Improvement Plan annually in the Spring. This reports on its performance for the previous year and the intended improvements for the following year.

The Scottish Government has published an overview of the Planning System which can be accessed here: Planning Overview | Our Place

You can access a range of information on the planning system, legislation and current policy, on the Planning homepage 

General Planning Enquiries can be made to the Scottish Government Central Enquiry Unit on 0300 244 4000 or by email or by visiting www.gov.scot/building-planning-and-design

The improvement service (IS) is the leading organisation for local government improvement in Scotland. Established in 2005, its mission is to support councils in providing effective community leadership, robust local government and high quality services.

The IS aims to:

• Lead improvement and transformation efforts in local government and the broader system
• Build capability and capacity for improvement within local government
• Execute national improvement programs and support local council improvements
• Offer research, data and intelligence to guide policy making and decision making driving improvement.
• Provide national shared service applications and technology platforms
• Secure additional resources to support local government priorities

The IS has published a series of guidance and briefings for elected members, designed to help them stay updated on key issues impacting local government: Elected Member Guidance and Briefings | Improvement Service.

This series includes an introductory guide to the planning system in Scotland for elected members: The Planning System in Scotland: An Introduction for Elected Members (improvementservice.org.uk).

Planning Aid Scotland is a Scottish charity which is supported by RTPI Scotland and our members, and which provides a free, professional advice service to individuals and communities to help them understand the planning system and engage more effectively in it.

Their advisory and training work is through a unique network of around 400 volunteers, all built environment professionals, who provide their time and specialist knowledge. Planning Aid Scotland works with communities to shape Scotland's future, providing support and information.

Its role is to:
• ensure that everyone has access to the planning system
• provide knowledge and information to all people
• help people to understand how the planning system works
• enable all people to play their part

Their free planning advice helpline for individuals and communities is: 0300 323 7602.

Planning Aid Scotland have published a series of resources, guides and toolkits, which can be accessed here: Resources - Planning Aid Scotland (pas.org.uk)

The Online Directory of Planning Consultants provides a list of RTPI members who provide consultancy services in Scotland as well as other parts of the UK.

The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) is a councillor led, cross party organisation that advocate for the crucial work of Scotland’s councils and their 1226 elected councillors, aiming to secure the necessary resources and powers. It provides contact details for all local authorities within Scotland.

Heads of Planning Scotland (HoPS) aims to promote planning at local and national levels by providing a forum for discussion and study of planning.

It is the representative organisation for senior planning officers from Scotland’s local authorities and national park authorities.

Membership of HoPS is open to:

• Directors with overall responsibility for Planning
• Heads of Planning
• Officers with Area or Functional Management responsibility at senior level

The following planning schools in Scotland currently offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses accredited by the RTPI:

• Heriot-Watt University School of the Built Environment
• University of Dundee
• University of Glasgow