National Planning Framework & Scottish Planning Policy
The Scottish Government provides a range of policy and guidance which shapes the planning system in Scotland.
The main legislation affecting planning in Scotland is the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, to which significant amendments have been made by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006 and Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.
A key element of the 2019 Act is the elevated status of and the integration of National Planning Framework 4, adopted by the Scottish Ministers on 13th February 2023, which integrates Scottish Planning Policy and forms part of the statutory development plan, along with the Inverclyde Local Development Plan and its supplementary guidance. Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) which will replace Strategic Development Plans (SDPs), will not form part of the Development Plan but will require to be taken account of in the Development Plan.
NPF4 sets out the Scottish Government’s spatial principles, regional priorities, national developments and national planning policy. Follow the link on this page for more information.
Other Scottish Government documents on the planning system include Circulars, advice, letters from the Chief Planners and design policy and guidance.
These documents are available on the Scottish Government website.