Reforming the planning system
A high quality planning system is essential to create quality places with the homes, infrastructure and investment that people need.
The Scottish Government has reformed the planning system with the stated aim: "To improve Scotland's planning system, to strengthen the contribution planning can make to inclusive growth, to delivering housing and infrastructure and to empowering communities."
Transforming planning in practice
The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 was passed by the Scottish Parliament in June 2019. This determines the future structure of the modernised planning system.
The detail of how the new Act’s provisions will work in practice will be contained within secondary legislation and guidance, which are being developed.
This programme also includes preparation of the Government's fourth National Planning Framework, reviewing a range of permitted development rights and progressing the digital transformation of the planning system.
The Scottish Government wants people to be involved as they develop and implement these crucial improvements to the planning system.
You can find more information and resources about the planning transformation programme, including how to keep up-to-date and to be involved, at transformingplanning.scot.
The ways that can be used by communities to participate in all aspects of this planning agenda can be found in the Community Place Plans section of this website.
