Scottish planning policy

The fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) will incorporate Scottish Planning Policy which contains detailed national policy on a number of planning topics. For the first time, spatial and thematic planning policies will be addressed in one place.

The current Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) was published in 2014 and will remain in place until NPF4 is approved by the Scottish Parliament, and adopted by Scottish Ministers.

The Draft NPF4 sets out refreshed planning policy under four themes:

• Sustainable places
• Liveable places
• Productive places
• Distinctive places

As part of developing the Draft NPF4 a series of policy briefing notes were produced. Updates to these policy briefing notes will be made available on our website soon.  

Planning policy research

We have published a number of research reports relating to Scottish Planning Policy:

• Research on the Effectiveness of Scottish Planning Policy
• Research on the Effectiveness of Scottish Planning Policy - Database
• Research on Rural Planning Policy to 2050 
• Research on Improving Air Quality Outcomes
• Securing positive effects for biodiversity – NatureScot Report to Scottish Government