Submitting a planning application

Application forms and guidance notes can be obtained by phoning 0141 287 8555.  You are required to submit three sets of forms, the appropriate administration fee, four sets of detailed plans and carry out a procedure called neighbour notification. For applications to erect small fittings, such as satellite dishes, on buildings the Council may accept 4 photos, with an X to mark the location on the building. Fees will vary according to the type and size of development. As the preparation and lodging of development applications can be daunting for a layperson, you are strongly advised to use an agent to act for you, such as a chartered architect, planner or surveyor.

 

Do I need to apply for planning permission?

Planning permission is required for many types of development. In a limited number of circumstances, planning legislation allows householders and businesses to make minor changes and small extensions to their property, without planning permission.  Extra controls apply within Conservation Areas and for Listed Buildings.  The Council can usually advise over the telephone whether planning permission will be required for any works (Tel: 0141 287 8555).  In some situations you will be asked to submit more details in writing to allow us to determine whether permission is required.  While Planning is usually concerned with only new forms of development, changes of use and external changes to property, both internal and external alterations to buildings will often also require permission under the Building Regulations (Tel: 0141 287 5937).

 

How do I get planning advice?

Development plans, prepared by local authorities, set out policy guidelines for development. Planning advice provided by the City Council will be based on the Glasgow City Plan (adopted on 1 August 2003). The standards and guidance provided in the City Plan may differ from the standards used by other local authorities. The public should always seek planning advice about local matters from their local council. The online City Plan provides guidance on appropriate policies for a range of development proposals. If you wish to receive planning advice independent of your council, you can employ the services of a planning consultant. Planning Aid Scotland (Tel: 0131 555 1565) may be able to provide free advice to private individuals.

 

Finding out about planning designations affecting land or property

All land within Glasgow is covered by a planning designation called a Development Policy Principle. These designations provide the broad context for considering whether or not a particular kind of development proposal is appropriate within a particular area. The DEV policies are listed near the beginning of Part 2 of the City Plan (Development Policies and Design Guidance).

 

In addition, many areas of land and properties are affected by an environmental policy designation, e.g. listed buildings, conservation areas, sites of special landscape importance, tree preservation order. Part 2 of the City Plan contains a series of maps for the North, South, East, West and City Centre areas which allow you to see which designations affect land and buildings. You can view these maps at a larger scale by clicking onto ‘Maps’ in the website menu bar, and selecting the area map you wish to look at. Alternatively, you can click on ‘Site or Property Information’ in the menu bar and enter the address and/or postcode f the property to access the map and relevant information, or, if you do not know the address or postcode, select the area on the city-wide map and access the information you seek through this method of research.

 

Planning proposals in your neighbourhood

You can find out about development proposals in a number of ways. The Council’s Development and Regeneration Services (DRS) has a number of teams and professional officers dealing with the City and they can assist you with development enquiries. Tel: 0141 287 8555.

 

Development applications are advertised in the Glasgow Evening Times, Friday edition. Applicants have a duty to serve neighbour notification on surrounding occupiers/tenants. If you want to know more about a development application that has been lodged with the Council, you can come to the office of DRS at 229 George Street, Glasgow G1 1QU and view the application.

 

Participating in the preparation of the Local Development Plan (Glasgow City Plan)

Development plans have to be prepared by all local planning authorities to guide development and the use of land. The Scottish Executive requires that development plans be reviewed on no more than a 5-year cycle. Public consultation is an important part of the plan preparation process and public participation in the preparation process gives added legitimacy to the proposals and policies contained within the plan.

 

The City Council has commenced the review process of the current City Plan, adopted on 1 August 2003. A City Plan: Review, Issues and Options Bulletin was published in January 2005 to provide an early opportunity for the public to comment on the issues to be included in the City Plan 2. Public consultation will also take place when the Consultative, and Finalised Draft City Plan 2 documents are published. The broad timetable for production of City Plan 2 is as follows:

 

• City Plan 2: Review, Issues and Options Bulletin early 2005

• Consultative Draft City Plan 2 late 2005

• Finalised Draft City Plan 2 late 2006

• Public Local Inquiry mid-late 2007

• Modifications of the Finalised Draft City Plan 2 early-mid 2008

• Adoption of City Plan 2 late 2008

 

To view the Council’s public consultation framework and standards, and documents relating to the preparation of City Plan 2, click on ‘City Plan Review’ on the menu bar. If you have any queries about the development plan process or wish to know more about the public consultation stages, please contact the City Plan Team on 0141 287 8540/8678. Alternatively, you can e-mail enquiries to cityplan@glasgow.gov.uk

 

Obtaining a copy of the City Plan

The City Plan was adopted on 1 August 2003. The Plan is in two parts: Part 1 is the Development Strategy and sets out the Council’s broad vision for development and regeneration in the City for the next twenty years. Part 2 is the Development Policies and Design Guidance which supports the delivery of the development strategy. The Plan can be viewed on the Council’s website. It is available to read in the City’s public libraries and at the office of Development and Regeneration Services (DRS), 229 George Street, Glasgow G1 1QU. It is available for sale from DRS at a price of £100.00, exclusive of postage and packing, or as a CD-Rom at a price of £20. If you have any queries about the acquisition of the City Plan, contact the City Plan Team on 0141 287 8540/8678. Alternatively, you can e-mail enquiries to cityplan@glasgow.gov.uk