A guide compiled by Lorna McHattie
If you want to deal with planning departments you’ll find it helpful to know the basics of how they work.
It doesn’t matter whether you want to support a project you’re involved in or to make suggestions about a proposal you don’t like. Knowing what’s important and how to present it can make the difference between being read or discarded at the first sort.
Over many years as a successful activist, Lorna has refined this handy guide. You will find tips on how to get on the right side of planning officers and councilors, together with sample letter templates and links to useful contacts.
Planning permission
Planningpermission is required for:
When commenting on a planning application, the Local Authority and Scottish Government only consider those comments which refer to ‘material’ matters. To be ‘material’ a matter must be addressed explicitly in the Local Development Plan for the area.
This means, if you want your concerns to clear the first hurdle and be considered, you will need to read the Local Development Plan for your area. Then you must relate your concerns to it in some way.
Contact details and links are listed below. You can submit comments on the web pages or write to the Council offices.
Letters do not have to be long and complex. They should be proportionate to the size of the application. Here are links to two examples:
Visit the following webpages for information about how to deal with Planning in your area. Remember,
Use these webpages to submit comments on planning applications, or write to the relevant Council offices.
Aberdeen City
Strategic Place Planning
Aberdeen City Council
Business Hub 4
Marischal College
Broad Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1AB
pi@aberdeencity.gov.uk
01224 523470
Buchan HouseSt Peter Street
Peterhead
AB42 1QF
01467 537259
Kincardine and Mearns Area Office
Viewmount
Arduthie Road
Stonehaven
AB39 2DQ
kincardineandmearns@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
01569 690541
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