Permitted Development

Reviewing and Extending Permitted Development Rights

We are carrying out a substantial review of permitted development rights that are granted by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 (as amended).  Permitted development rights remove the need to apply for planning permission in relation to developments and circumstances specified in the legislation. The review is being taken forward on a phased basis, with each phase focussing on specific types of development.

Phase 1

Through Phase 1, we introduced new and extended permitted development rights in relation to:

• digital telecommunications infrastructure
• agricultural development
• peatland restoration
• development related to active travel
• aquaculture

This guidance note explains the effect of the (394kB) Phase 1 changes, which came into force on 1 April 2021. These were the subject of a public consultation in autumn 2020. An independent analysis of responses to the Phase 1 consultation was published on 18 December 2020.

Phase 2

On 11 May 2022 we published a public consultation on Phase 2 of the review programme. The Phase 2 proposals relate to:

• electric vehicle charging infrastructure
• changes of use in centres
• operational port development

The Phase 2 consultation closed on 3 August 2022. We are considering the responses received, which will inform the refinement and finalisation of our proposals for change.  

Sustainability Appraisal:

• The review programme has been informed by a Sustainability Appraisal, which was the subject of a public consultation in November 2019. Programme for extending permitted development rights in Scotland: non-technical summary - PDF (159.3kB)
• Programme for extending permitted development rights in Scotland: full report - PDF (5.3MB)

An independent consultation analysis report was published on 30 September 2020