Tag: Scottish Government

Changes to Planning Fees – 9 June 2025

Aerial View west across the Georgian splendour of Edinburgh New Town, with the line of Princes Street (left of centre), George Street (centre) and Queen Street (right) running parallel.

This week, Planning fees increased nationally. To reflect these changes, we have updated our Fees Charter.

All planning applications received from 9 June 2025 onwards will be charged the new fees.

Fees are also being introducing for local reviews and appeals against planning decisions.  All local reviews and DPEA appeals received from 9 June 2025 onwards will be subject to a fee.  

Planning fees are set by the Scottish Government. The relevant legislation is The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2024 which came in to effect 12 December 2024 and The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025 which came in to effect 9 June 2025.

These Regulations amend the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Regulations 2022.

Local Review fees are also set by The Scottish Government. The relevant legislation is The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Local Reviews) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.

An application for a local review is not valid until the full required fee has been paid. Appellants must ensure the application for review AND the correct fee is submitted WITHIN three months from the planning application Decision Notice, otherwise the appellant will forfeit their right to appeal. Appellants are advised to submit their application for local review well within the three month time period to allow for checking of the validity of their review, including the fee.

Further guidance is available in Scottish Government Planning Circulars 2/2025 and 3/2025.

Please refer to planning validation guidelines for information about what to include as part of your submission.

City Plan 2030: Intention to Adopt

City Plan 2030 has reached another key milestone in its journey to adoption.

At the meeting of Planning Committee on 19 June 2024 and full Council on 27 June 2024, the Council resolved to adopt City Plan 2030 (as modified).

Following publication of the Scottish Government report of examination on 5 April 2024, the Council has accepted all recommendations and have prepared a modified City Plan 2030 accordingly.

Getting to this stage is a significant achievement for Planning and for all those who contributed. Please note, it is not yet adopted – just intention to adopt.

We have now notified Scottish Ministers of the intention to adopt City Plan 2030 (as modified). The plan can be formally adopted 28 days after notification of the intention to adopt, unless Scottish Ministers direct otherwise. Scottish Ministers may extend the period, direct the Council to consider further modifications to the plan, direct the Council not to adopt the plan or approve the plan themselves. There is no opportunity for any other parties to engage in the process at this stage.

You can view City Plan 2030 (as modified) online.

Printed copies of City Plan 2030 (as modified) and list of the modifications will be available in all Council libraries and Reception, City Chambers, 253 High Street, Edinburgh.

We will keep you updated as to when the plan is adopted.

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) adopted today by Scottish Ministers

Covers of Edinburgh LDP & NPF4 shown together in a circle. From today, they make up the Council’s development plan.

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was adopted today by Scottish Ministers and becomes a key factor in determining planning applications and appeals in Edinburgh.  

NPF4 is now part of the Council’s development plan and – unless material considerations indicate otherwise – decisions on planning applications will need to be made in accordance with both:

This means that from today, the section of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 that sets out what happens when there is ‘any incompatibility’ between parts of a development plan will also come into force.

This means that some Local Development Plan policies will no longer be used to the same extent.

A report to Planning Committee on 18 January 2023 explains this in more detail and provides a list containing:  

  • NPF4 policies
  • Local Development Plan policies which are compatible with NPF4
  • Local Development Plan policies which are not compatible with NPF4 and will not be used to the same extent

View our Approved Policy Framework Quick Guide (PDF)

View our Policy Framework (PDF)

National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)

Covers of LDP & NPF4, shown together in a circle. After Feb 13, they together make up Edinburgh's new Development Plan.

The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) was approved by the Scottish Parliament on 11 January 2023. It is expected that it will be adopted on 13 February 2023 at 9am.

Once adopted, NPF4 will become part of the Council’s development plan and – unless material considerations indicate otherwise – decisions on planning applications will need to be made in accordance with both:

When NPF4 is adopted, the section of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 that sets out what happens when there is ‘any incompatibility’ between parts of a development plan will also come into force.

This is likely to mean that some Local Development Plan policies will no longer be used to the same extent.

A report to Planning Committee (PDF) on 18 January 2023 explains this in more detail and provides a list containing:  

  • NPF4 policies
  • Local Development Plan policies which are compatible with NPF4
  • Local Development Plan policies which are not compatible with NPF4 and will not be used to the same extent

View our Approved Policy Framework Quick Guide (PDF)

View our Policy Framework (PDF)