We will soon be changing our policy for retaining applications forms left in ‘draft’ (i.e. those that you have started but have not yet submitted). From the 7th May 2019, we will only be retaining ‘draft’ applications that have been accessed or edited by users in the previous 12 months. That is, any application forms that were last accessed more than 12 months ago will be deemed ‘inactive’ and will be permanently deleted from our databases. This is an important change going forward, as it will ensure that we only retain ‘current’ and up-to-date information on your applications in our databases. It should also help us to ensure that we have sufficient server storage to accommodate continued growth in use of the service going forward.
The ePlanning.scot portal was launched in January 2016 as a replacement for eplanning.scotland.gov.uk. If you had an account on the old portal and this is the first time you have visited ePlanning.scot, you will need to create a new account. The simple four step process will only take a few moments to complete. Please note that account information will not be transferred from the old portal, you will be creating a new account. If you wish to see details of applications that you submitted through the old portal, please visit the local council’s website, you will be able to search for your submitted application on their planning pages.
Once you are logged in, to get started on your application you will need to click on the My Proposals tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
If you then click on New Proposal in blue writing above the Active and Deleted tabs.
The process of creating a new proposal will include:
The site is free to use and is managed by the Scottish Government in partnership with all Scottish planning authorities.
It provides an easy-to-use way for you to complete and send in planning applications, notices of review, appeals and other permission needed under planning law. It also allows you to attach relevant documents, buy and mark up a location plan and pay the application fee electronically.
The site guides you through the process, and your application is much more likely to be valid when it is received and checked by the planning authority. This will also speed up the process.
First you will need to create an account. There is no charge for this and the information you provide is used only by you. You will be asked to confirm your email address. This will be required to access your account later.
After you have created your account and logged, in you can begin preparing your proposal. Follow the simple process which involves:
It doesn't take long to understand what you need to do to send in your application form correctly. Starting the process using your online account will allow you to complete your application in simple steps.
You can save your application at any time and return to it later to finish it. You can correct any mistakes without the need to start again with a new form. You can also share access to your proposal with people you may want to help you, for example, a surveyor, architect and so on.
Sending in your applications electronically saves time and money.
Our consultants estimate that, on average, eplanning will save people applying £241 for every application provided online. This includes freeing up time for other work and quicker decisions because of being able to email and process them more quickly.
Professional users often manage a collection of proposals with a number of colleagues and often on behalf of clients. ePlanning Scotland provides advanced features to manage those tasks. Colleagues can share access with each other so that each can contribute to filling in an application. Agents can allow clients to view the application and if they want, send it in and pay for the completed application.
Professional users can register an organisation, which allows them to share access and make the most of the extra features of the site.
If you need to use the paper forms, you can access them .
Please note not all all authorities accept paper forms. For more information please get in touch with your local authority