Hillington Simplified Planning Zone

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Hillington Simplified Planning Zone (October 2014 to September 2024)

A Simplified Planning Zone is an area where the need to apply for planning permission for certain types of development is removed so long as the development complies with the details and guidance set out in the Scheme.

An SPZ Scheme deals with the planning issues 'up front' and confirms what type of development, and how much, is allowed.

There are currently no SPZ Schemes in Glasgow after the Hillington Park Simplified Planning Zone Scheme came to an end on the 1 October 2024.

Hillington Park

Hillington Park is one of Scotland's largest business parks. It lies to the south of the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Paisley. It straddles the joint administrative boundary with approximately 80% of the site within Renfrewshire Council's area and 20% in Glasgow City Council's area.

The Simplified Planning Zone (SPZ) Scheme has now been approved in a partnership between Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow City Council, and MEPC Hillington Park, who owns and manages the majority of the site.

Benefits of Hillington Park SPZ Scheme

The Simplified Planning Zone Scheme aimed to encourage investment in Hillington Park and deliver sustainable economic development by simplifying the planning process. The Scheme provided greater certainty for developers and stakeholders. It removed the need for individual planning applications, covering the same range of planning issues. It was used as a promotional tool to attract new businesses looking to invest in the park and encouraged refurbishments as well as new builds.

While the focus of the SPZ Scheme was on business and employment uses, the Scheme also recognised the opportunity to introduce 'complementary uses' to create a more dynamic and attractive offer for a wider range of businesses. The SPZ Scheme set clear standards for new development including improved amenity of the built environment and better pedestrian connectivity.

Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs): Duty to Periodically Consider Making Scheme

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) as a new proactive consenting mechanism and Part 2, Section 15 sets out the legal framework for preparing them.

Secondary legislation covering the regulatory process for making Masterplan Consent Area (MCA) schemes came into force on Thursday 5 December 2024.  

Broadly, the Regulations are intended to allow planning authorities to take a leadership role in the development process by proactively consenting the type and quality of development they wish to see in their areas. This would be done by preparing an Masterplan Consent Area 'Scheme'. The intention is for Masterplan Consent Areas to offer a coordinated approach to consenting, being able grant planning permission, roads construction, listed building and conservation area consent so that a developer can quickly start building. The Council notes that at December 2024 the Scottish Government have committed to publishing guidance 'shortly'.

Also of relevance is Schedule 5A Paragraph 5 which requires planning authorities to consider whether it would be desirable to make a scheme for a part or parts of their district, and to publish a statement as to their consideration.

Glasgow City Council notes that the Masterplan Consent Area guidance is not yet available and is currently of the view that it would be prudent to understand the Scottish Government's expectations via their guidance on MCAs before considering whether it would be desirable to make a scheme. We intend to reconsider this position once the guidance for preparing Masterplan Consent Areas is in place and the Council will then prepare a revised statement in line with the legal requirements of Schedule 5A Paragraph 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, as amended.

Hillington Simplified Planning Zone