All development requires planning permission. However, certain forms of development benefit from a general planning permission usually referred to as ‘permitted development rights’. Generally this is because the scale and nature of the development is considered to be of a minor, non-contentious nature.
The types of development that can be considered as 'permitted development', and the qualifying criteria, are set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992, usually referred to as the ‘GPDO’. Planning authorities can advise if a development is 'permitted development' or if a planning application is required. There have been several amendments to the GPDO since it was published in 1992. Recent amendments
Various amendments to the permitted development rights for non-domestic developments were implemented by The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2014. These include amendments to Classes 15, 18, 22, 25,30, 33 and 67 of the GPDO. New permitted development rights were created for small extensions or alterations to shops, schools, colleges, universities and hospital and office buildings. Additionally permitted development rights were created for off-street recharging of electric vehicles and disabled access ramps.
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Amendment (No 2) Order 2014 further amended Classes 18 and 22 specifically in relation to private ways (commonly known as tracks or hill tracks).