Introduction
The implementation of the new planning legislation in Scotland
has been a prolonged affair. The white paper appeared in late 2004
while the new legislation received the Royal assent at the end of
2006. It will be well into 2009 until these significant changes
taken substantive effect.
One of the critical changes – possibly the most
critical – is the intention to categorise developments as
either national, major or local and apply resources within the
planning system accordingly.
There will only be a handful of developments which will be truly
national in scale and funded and processed accordingly. Significant
developments which will have material impact for Scotland (or parts
of Scotland) both in economic and social terms will be
"major" developments. Underlying the reforms is an
intention to ensure that adequate resources are made available to
permit planning authorities to process these efficiently and
effectively (with at least the future
