Chamber and committees

We have no plans to introduce national planning policy relating to cast-iron street furniture in Conservation Areas, and have not carried out an assessment of how any such policy would impact on Scotland's domestic foundry sector.

National Planning Framework 4 states that Local Development Plans should identify, protect and enhance valued historic assets and places.

Location specific design guidance, for example, relating to Conservation Areas, is best addressed at the local level, to reflect the character of individual places. Planning authorities have the ability to take this forward through local guidance.

The Scottish Government keeps permitted development rights under review. In recent years, we have amended permitted development rights through a phased approach reflecting Scottish Government objectives and priorities.

In line with our commitment for the first 100 days of Government, we are engaging with stakeholders which will inform the scope of this Government’s planning reform programme.

We have no plans to integrate the standards developed under the Traditional Shopfront Improvement Grant Scheme (TSIG) into national guidance supporting National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4).

NPF4 supports the vibrancy and vitality of our towns and town centres and encourages ‘Distinctive Places’ which includes supporting local architectural styles.

Expectations on shopfront design, colour and materials are best addressed at the local level, to reflect and reinforce local styles and the character of individual places. Planning authorities have the ability to take this forward through local guidance.

We are undertaking a comprehensive review of non-domestic rates which will examine improvements and reforms that can be made to the system, and working closely with business to ensure the system provides the clarity, incentive and transparency which businesses need.

The Scottish Government does not support the construction of new nuclear power stations in Scotland under current technologies, including small modular reactors. This position is not impacted by any new or increased source of electricity demand, including data centre development.

Our focus is on renewable energy, which is already delivering clean power and supporting economic growth across Scotland.

Planning authorities are required to determine all planning applications, including retrospective applications, in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Planning authorities have powers to apply a surcharge (of up to 25% on top of the usual planning application fee) to retrospective planning applications, where development has already commenced or been completed without the necessary permission. The use and level of any such surcharge is a matter for individual planning authorities to set out in a charter.

The Scottish Government has no current plans to issue specific guidance on the determination of retrospective applications for unauthorised alterations to shopfronts.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) is clear that Local Development Plans (LDPs) should be place-based and provide clear expectations for design. This includes identifying where more detailed design guidance is expected, which could include design codes.

NPF4 also sets out that planning authorities should use the Place Standard tool when preparing their LDPs and design guidance to engage with communities and other stakeholders.

LDP guidance, published by the Scottish Government, reinforces NPF4 and emphasises the importance of collaboration in high quality design and provides advice on the appropriate scales for different design tools, which can be used by planning authorities.

NPF4 forms part of the development plan and should be taken into account in planning decision making. It is for the decision-maker, normally local authorities, to interpret and apply policy 7 and other relevant policies, making decisions in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Applications are considered on individual merits.

The Scottish Government does not hold information on the number of staff employed in local authority planning services or their allocated duties. Staffing and resourcing decisions for planning services are matters for individual local authorities.

In 2025, the National Planning Improvement Champion (NPIC) published a workforce and capacity report, which is available at: www.improvementservice.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0029/64559/NPIF-Workforce-and-Capacity-Report.pdf. The NPIC is undertaking a survey of planning authorities in order to provide a refreshed evidence base for 2026.

Planning enforcement is a matter for the relevant planning authority. It is for the authority to decide what, if any, action to take in relation to any potential breach of planning control.

The Scottish Government recognises the financial and capacity pressures facing the planning system and continues to implement a package of measures to provide planning authorities with additional support and resources, including through increased planning fees, support from the National Planning Hub and actions to grow the planning profession in Scotland.

Interpretation and application of Historic Environment Scotland’s non-statutory guidance is a matter for Historic Environment Scotland. Decisions on whether sufficient evidence has been provided in support of an application, including evidence relating to marketing and economic viability, are considered on a case-by-case basis by the decision maker having regard to the circumstances of the application.