Planning changes to help car charging, outdoor seating

Relaxations to the need to obtain planning permission in certain cases are proposed by the Scottish Government in a new consultation forming part of its permitted development rights review.

Among the proposals:                                                              

• moveable outdoor restaurant seating could be permitted without a planning application under new proposals to support the hospitality industry;
• restrictions on electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including the size of installations, in car parks and at filling stations would be eased;
• merging certain use classes to permit a wider variety of changes of use for premises in city, town and local centres, to promote more rapid adaption to changing circumstances;
• conversion of buildings to small workspaces would be allowed, to support local innovation and entrepreneurship as part of the national strategy to transform the economy.

Planning Minister Tom Arthur explained: "The pandemic has highlighted that use of outdoor spaces can help bolster our hospitality industry and make city, town and local centres feel more welcoming and vibrant. I encourage local businesses and communities to submit their views on these proposals to relax planning requirements.

"Extending permitted development rights to make changes in use easier will help to deliver our entrepreneurship ambitions by creating enterprising communities, as set out in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

"Proposals to support the extension of the charging network reflect the significant growth in electric vehicle ownership forecasted for the coming years and the vital role of electric vehicle owners in helping Scotland reach net zero by 2045."

Read the Permitted Development Review consultation. The closing date for responses is 3 August 2022.