Planning News

The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 (“the GPDO”) grants planning permission for specified types of development, meaning development can take place without a planning application having to be submitted to – and granted by – the planning authority. These grants of planning permission under the GPDO are referred to as permitted development rights (“PDR”). PDR are typically subject to specific conditions and limitations to protect amenity and to control the impacts of the development which they permit.

The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of PDR as part of its wider planning reform programme. The review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase considering the potential for new and extended PDR for specific development types.

On 24th May 2024 the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2024 came into force. The Order relates to the third phase of the Scottish Government’s review; the measures it provides for are intended to help support the:

• Deployment of domestic and non-domestic renewables equipment.

• Alteration/replacement of windows to improve the energy efficiency of buildings.

• Roll-out of electricity network infrastructure.

More information can be found in the policy note accompanying the legislation.