Perfect planning

Planning permission is needed for a new build or a major physical change to an existing property or a change of use from industrial, agricultural, commercial or retail to domestic. Pre-application advice is available from your council’s planning officers; always talk to your local council first. You might not need planning permission; there are also householder permitted development rights for smaller alterations to properties. So much can be done within this legislation – another reason why you should talk to the planners first. Today’s planning system has an online service which is available around the clock for both professionals and members of the public alike, run by the Scottish Government in partnership with councils and planning authorities. You can do it all on the eDevelopment.scot website.