Planning (Scotland) Act 2019: Designation of Short-Term Let Control Areas and Licensing Scheme

We have laid draft regulations in the Scottish Parliament covering the arrangements for the designation of short-term let control areas, as introduced by section 17 of the 2019 Act, alongside a related order for a licensing scheme for short-term lets.  Subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament, the Short-Term Let Control Area Regulations and the Licensing Order will come into force on 1 April 2021.

This follows a consultation carried out during the autumn - see also the consultation analysis report, published last week.

You can keep up-to-date on implementation of the 2019 Planning Act at www.transformingplanning.scot/planning-reform/

Consultation: Mediation in the Planning system

Today we published a consultation paper on the promotion and use of mediation in the Scottish planning system. This is part of a wider range of measures which came from the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 which aim to improve community engagement and build public trust in planning matters.  

With a focus on early engagement, the consultation will be of particular interest to planning authorities, communities, prospective developers of major and national developments and public agencies. The consultation is accompanied by relevant impact assessments and your response is encouraged by 12 March 2021.

We are developing an engagement strategy which will be published in January 2021.

NPF4 Position Statement - keeping the discussion going

Following up on the publication of our NPF4 Position Statement last month, we are highlighting some engagement and participation opportunities during the consultation period.  Our recent blog National Planning Framework 4 Position Statement - getting involved and having your say explains more.  We have also produced these resources, which we hope will help stimulate any discussions you might be having about the next National Planning Framework. 

• Overview Presentation (self-read) of the Position Statement
• Summary Sheet of Potential Key Policy Shifts
• Infographics on the four NPF4 themes

We are inviting comments on the current thinking and the general direction of travel set out in the Position Statement by 19 February 2021.

You can stay up-to-date and involved in the progress of NPF4 at www.transformingplanning.scot.

Scotland's Digital Strategy for Planning: Mission #1

Following the launch of Transforming Places Together: Scotland's Digital Strategy for Planning, we have begun exploring in greater detail the five missions outlined in the strategy, through our social media channels.

This week we have begun a deeper dive into Mission #1: Unlock the Value of Planning Data. Data is a good place to start given it is of fundamental importance to the ambitions set out in the strategy.

You can follow along as we explore this and the other missions over the coming weeks on our Twitter and LinkedIn pages.

How to Keep up to date

Follow Scottish Government Planning and Architecture Division

• Web: Scottish Government website and Transforming Planning
• Twitter: @scotgovplanning
• Follow our blog for news and stories from Planning and Architecture.
• Register for email updates
• Online application service: eDevelopment.scot