The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of our wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on specific development types. Phase 3 of the review considers PDR in relation to renewables equipment, thermal efficiency improvements, development by electricity undertakers, reverse vending machines and the temporary use of land for shooting ranges. Read the consultation paper
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This consultation is about guidance on effective community engagement in the local development planning process. It is for planning authorities and communities. The guidance forms part of the Government’s work on reform of the planning system and implementation of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. It supports the new approach to local development planning on which further new regulations and guidance are available.
Read the consultation paper and impact assessments .
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This consultation relates to the 2023 Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for herring in the Firth of Clyde.
Marine Scotland is carrying out this consultation on behalf of the UK Fisheries Administrations, to seek views on the level of the 2023 TAC, to permit the allocation of Clyde herring quota to UK fishermen.
Read the consultation paper
Stakeholder event
We're delighted to hold an open meeting for any stakeholders who wish to discuss the options included in the...More
Local authority members (i.e. councillors) take strategic decisions that affect all our lives. They decide how best to use taxpayers’ money and manage local authority resources, including property, land and assets. They also have a leading role to play in building and preserving a society where the rights and freedoms of individuals are respected.
It is vital, therefore, that they have the trust of the communities they serve.
The Scottish Government considers that there should be...More
There is increasing global consensus around the urgent need to address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
The natural environment underpins our economy and our society. It affects our jobs, our health, the food we eat and the water we drink. It supports food production and security and provides the blueprint for many modern medicines. Healthy biodiversity prevents soil erosion, purifies water and helps prevent and mitigate flooding. Nature...More
This consultation is seeking views and comments on the draft local living and 20 minute neighbourhood planning guidance.
The guidance is intended to assist and support local authorities, communities, and others with an interest in local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods. It is expected to be of particular relevance in the preparation of Local Development Plans (LDPs), Local Place Plans (LPPs) and to support planning decision making.
National Planning Framework (NPF4) ...More
This paper sets out Scottish Government's directions to the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) on the application of a new EQS for EmBz. This ensures that SEPA exercise its regulatory and river basin management planning functions. Emamectin benzoate is widely used in the fish farm industry to control sea lice in marine finfish farming.
The new standard for EmBz is lower than the standard SEPA has used previously to set discharge limits for marine finfish farms. We are...More
Our aim is for everyone in Scotland to live in safe, secure and warm homes. We want your views on how local taxation and existing housing can help achieve this. Your responses will help inform policy development and what actions we take next.
The consultation asks whether councils should have additional powers giving them discretion to:
charge up to 100% premium (double the full rate) on council tax for second homes
charge more than 100% premium on...More
Scotland’s national events strategy, 'Scotland: the perfect stage (2015-2025)', is being reviewed and updated. This will extend its term to the end of 2035. The Scottish events sector, Scottish Government and VisitScotland are working together with trade unions and local authorities to do this.
Scotland: the perfect stage was first published in 2008 in response to Scotland’s burgeoning potential to be a global leader in the events industry. It was last reviewed and updated to...More
This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government’s plans to set a legal minimum number of hours of school education school pupils should receive each year.
Traditionally, Scottish primary schools provide around 25 learning hours per week, and Scottish secondary schools around 27.5 hours per week. However, w hile local authorities are required to have their schools open for 190 days each year, the number of learning hours is not prescribed. Our schools have...More
The Scottish Government are undertaking a review of the National Outcomes. This is a requirement within every five years, under the Community Empowerment Act (2015).
The National Outcomes are laid out in the National Performance Framework. This is Scotland’s wellbeing framework, which sets out the type of Scotland we want to see, and measures progress towards the National Outcomes.
Find out more about the National Outcomes.
We want...More
The Scottish Government are undertaking a review of the National Outcomes. This is a requirement within every five years, under the Community Empowerment Act (2015).
The National Outcomes are laid out in the National Performance Framework. This is Scotland’s wellbeing framework, which sets out the type of Scotland we want to see, and measures progress towards the National Outcomes.
Find out more about the National Outcomes.
We want to know whether the existing National...More
In February 2021, the Scottish Government established an Independent Working Group on Misogyny and Criminal Justice in Scotland, chaired by Baroness Kennedy QC. The Working Group was tasked with considering how the Scottish criminal justice system deals with misogyny, including looking at whether there are gaps in the law that could be addressed by a specific criminal offence to tackle such behaviour.
The Working Group published its final report in March 2022. That...More