Major and National Applications

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Overview

If you are thinking of submitting an application, you should determine whether the development is for a National, Major or Local development - different scales of development have to go through different procedures.

If you are uncertain, you may apply for confirmation on which category of development you are considering submitting. This is known as a Request for a Screening Opinion. The Council has 21 days to let you know whether it has enough information to decide which category of development you are proposing, or, if it has enough information, to confirm in which category your proposed development falls. Note that these categories only apply to applications for planning permissions and not consents.

National developments are significant developments of national importance and are included in the National Planning Framework 4. Major developments are defined in the Town and Country (Hierarchy of Developments) (Scotland) Regulations 2009.

Pre-Application Consultation

For National or Major developments, you will be required to undertake Pre Application Consultation with the community.  At least 12 weeks before you submit the planning application, you must serve a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) on the Council.

There is no requirement to undertake formal Pre-Application Consultation for Local developments, but determining community views on a proposed development at an early stage is often a good idea. If you undertake PAC for a Local development, you don't have to submit a PAN or wait 12 weeks before submitting the application.

Processing Agreements

When discussing your proposal with the Planning authority, you may wish to consider a Processing Agreements which is a form of agreed project management for larger and more complex applications.

Requesting Planning Permission

To request planning permission for major or national developments, follow the same steps as you would for household or local developments (Apply for planning permission link). The most significant variations are in the pre-application, assessment, and decision-making procedures. In the case of major and national developments:

• The Local Authority has four (4) months to determine the application (unless an alternative timescale is agreed as part of a processing agreement).
• There may also be requirements for a Pre-Determination Hearing (PDH) as part of the application process.