This page provides links to a range of useful planning resources, guidance documents and public information sources that may assist homeowners, landowners, businesses and developers navigating Scotland’s planning system.
While these resources can provide valuable information, planning legislation, policy and guidance can be complex and subject to change. If you require project-specific advice, please contact Planning.scot to discuss your circumstances.
- Planning.scot Resources
- Scottish Planning Policy and Guidance
- Planning Applications
- Appeals and Reviews
- Historic Environment
- Environmental Information
- Mapping and Land Information
- Housing and Building Standards
- Community and Development Planning
- Community Engagement and Public Participation
- Planning Legislation
Planning.scot Resources
We are continuing to expand our library of planning articles, guides and resources. Over time, this section will include practical guidance on:
- Planning Permission
- Planning Permission in Principle
- Certificates of Lawfulness
- Planning Appeals and Reviews
- Planning Enforcement
- NPF4 and Planning Policy
- Rural Housing
- Householder Development
- Permitted Development Rights
- Development Management Procedures
- Planning Objections and Representations
Please check back regularly as new content is added.
Scottish Planning Policy and Guidance
National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)
Scotland’s national planning policy document and part of the statutory development plan.
https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-planning-framework-4
Planning Circulars
Scottish Government circulars provide guidance on the operation of the planning system, including development management procedures, enforcement, appeals and other planning matters.
https://www.gov.scot/collections/planning-circulars
Planning Advice Notes and Guidance
Additional guidance published by the Scottish Government covering a range of planning topics.
https://www.gov.scot/policies/planning-architecture/planning-advice
Planning Applications
ePlanning Scotland
Submit planning applications, appeals and other planning submissions online.
Planning Authority Websites
Find your local Planning Authority and access planning applications, local development plans and planning guidance.
Appeals and Reviews
Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA)
Information on planning appeals, local reviews, enforcement appeals and other casework determined on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
https://www.dpea.scotland.gov.uk
Historic Environment
Historic Environment Scotland
Information on listed buildings, scheduled monuments, conservation areas, planning advice and heritage guidance.
https://www.historicenvironment.scot
Canmore
Historic Environment Scotland’s searchable database of archaeological sites, buildings and monuments.
Environmental Information
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)
Information on flood risk, water environment regulation and environmental constraints.
NatureScot
Information on protected species, designated sites, biodiversity and nature conservation.
Scotland’s Environment Web
Environmental mapping and data relating to a wide range of environmental designations and constraints.
https://www.environment.gov.scot
Mapping and Land Information
National Library of Scotland Maps
Historic maps and mapping resources covering Scotland.
Registers of Scotland
Land ownership information, title plans and property registration services.
Ordnance Survey
Mapping and geographic information services.
https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Housing and Building Standards
Building Standards Division
Information on building warrants and Scotland’s building standards system.
https://www.gov.scot/policies/building-standards
Home Energy Scotland
Guidance on energy efficiency improvements, renewable technologies and funding opportunities.
https://www.homeenergyscotland.org
Community and Development Planning
Community Councils Scotland
Information and resources relating to community councils across Scotland.
https://www.communitycouncils.scot
Improvement Service
Information relating to local government, community planning and public services.
https://www.improvementservice.org.uk
Community Engagement and Public Participation
Planning Aid Scotland (PAS)
Planning Aid Scotland provides free and impartial advice to individuals and community groups seeking to engage with Scotland’s planning system. PAS also offers training, guidance and resources to help people better understand planning processes and participate effectively in planning decisions.
Planning Legislation
Links to the key pieces of legislation that underpin Scotland’s planning system.
Please note that some of the legislation linked below may appear on legislation.gov.uk in its original enacted form and may not fully reflect subsequent amendments. Where legislation has been amended, readers should refer to the latest available version and any associated amendment legislation.
Professional planning advice should always be sought where the interpretation or application of planning legislation is critical to a particular project or proposal.
Primary Planning Legislation
- Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended) – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/8/contents
- Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2006/17/contents
- Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2019/13/contents
Development Management and Planning Procedures
- Town and Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2013/155/contents
- Town and Country Planning (Hierarchy of Developments) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2009/51/contents/made
- Town and Country Planning (Schemes of Delegation and Local Review Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2013/157/contents/made
- Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 2013 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2013/156/contents/made
Permitted Development Rights
- Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 (as amended) – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1992/223/contents
Environmental Impact Assessment
- Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2017/102/contents
Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Advertisements
- Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/9/contents
- Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (Scotland) Regulations 1984 (as amended) – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1984/467/contents/made
Energy Infrastructure
- Electricity Act 1989 (including Sections 36 and 37) – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/29/contents
Historic Environment
- Historic Environment (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2011 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/3/contents
- Historic Environment Scotland Act 2014 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2014/19/contents
Access, Roads and Land Use
- Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/54/contents
- Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/2/contents
Natural Environment and Flooding
- Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2004/6/contents
- Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009 – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2009/6/contents
Other Relevant Legislation
- Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (relevant provisions applying in Scotland) – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/5/contents
Need Professional Planning Advice?
While public resources can be helpful, every site and development proposal is different.
At Planning.scot, we provide independent chartered town planning advice across Scotland. Whether you are considering a planning application, responding to a development proposal or seeking advice on planning policy, we can help you navigate the planning system with confidence.
Please contact us to discuss your project and arrange an initial consultation.