Scottish planning and architecture documents
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The Scottish government has published a series of planning and architecture documents that are material considerations in planning decisions. The series falls into two broad categories:
[edit] Planning and architecture policy
A series of planning circulars contain guidance on the implementation of planning policy through procedural or legislative change:
- Airports.
- Applications and appeals.
- CCTV.
- Compulsory purchase.
- Conditions.
- Conservation area management.
- Consultation.
- Demolition.
- Development management.
- Development planning.
- Enforcement.
- Environmental Impact Assessment.
- Environmental protection.
- Fees.
- Fish farming.
- Hazardous materials.
- Heritage case studies from Scotland
- Housing.
- Local planning.
- Mineral workings.
- Open space.
- Permitted development.
- Planning obligations.
- Planning system.
- Planning zones.
- Renewable energy.
- Strategic development planning authorities.
- Telecommunications.
- Town and Country Planning.
- Transport.
- Tree preservation.
- Tribunals and inquiries.
- Use classes order.
- Value.
- Waste management.
The Planning Policy is the Scottish government’s policy on nationally important land use matters. The latest version was published in June 2014. See Scottish planning policy for more information.
The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a strategy for Scotland’s long-term spatial planning, highlighting the government’s development priorities for the next 20-30 years. National Planning Framework (NPF). It sets the context for development planning in Scotland and provides a framework for the spatial development of Scotland as a whole. The third National Planning Framework was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 23 June 2014.
The Creating Places policy statement was published in June 2013 and sets out the government’s position on architecture and place. It considers that successful places can provide opportunities, build vibrant communities and contribute to a flourishing economy. The statement outlines an action plan detailing action that will be taken to achieve positive change.
The Designing Streets policy statement was published in March 2010 and is the policy for street design focusing on place-making and moving away from the dominance of motor vehicles.
[edit] Planning and design advice and guidance
The government provides a advice on various technical planning matters through:
- Planning Advice Notes (PAN).
- Guides.
- Letters from the Chief Planner.
- Design guidance.
- Specific advice documents/sheets.
Detailed government advice is provided on a suite of topics on the government website:
- Economic development.
- Fish farming.
- Flooding.
- Green belts.
- Historic environment.
- Housing.
- Landscape and Natural Heritage.
- Minerals.
- Open space and physical activity.
- Renewable energy.
- Rural development.
- Sustainable development.
- Telecommunications.
- Town centres and retailing.
- Transport.
- Waste.
- Water and drainage.
General planning advice is available online from the government website:
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- CIOB Value of Construction: Scotland report.
- Drying room - Scotland.
- Fire fatalities in Scotland.
- Fire (Scotland) Act 2005.
- National planning policy framework.
- Placemaking.
- Planning permission.
- Planning (Wales) Bill.
- Scotland’s new guide on managing climate-change risk to historic sites.
- Scottish planning policy.
- UK.
- UK construction industry.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
ECA, JIB and JTL back Fabian Society call to invest in skills for a stronger built environment workforce.
Women's Contributions to the Built Environment.
Calls for the delayed Circular Economy Strategy
Over 50 leading businesses, trade associations and professional bodies, including CIAT, and UKGBC sign open letter.
The future workforce: culture change and skill
Under the spotlight at UK Construction Week London.
A landmark moment for postmodern heritage.
A safe energy transition – ECA launches a new Charter
Practical policy actions to speed up low carbon adoption while maintaining installation safety and competency.
Frank Duffy: Researcher and Practitioner
Reflections on achievements and relevance to the wider research and practice communities.
The 2026 Compliance Landscape: Fire doors
Why 'Business as Usual' is a Liability.
Cutting construction carbon footprint by caring for soil
Is construction neglecting one of the planet’s most powerful carbon stores and one of our greatest natural climate allies.
ARCHITECTURE: How's it progressing?
Archiblogger posing questions of a historical and contextual nature.
The roofscape of Hampstead Garden Suburb
Residents, architects and roofers need to understand detailing.
Homes, landlords. tenants and the new housing standards
What will it all mean?
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch-up on the latest episodes.
Edmundson Apprentice of the Year award 2026
Entries now open for this Electrical Contractors' Association award.
Traditional blue-grey slate from one of the oldest and largest UK slate quarries down in Cornwall.
There are plenty of sources with the potential to be redeveloped.
Change of use legislation breaths new life into buildings
A run down on Class MA of the General Permitted Development Order.
Solar generation in the historic environment
Success requires understanding each site in detail.























