How to make a planning application

If you’re thinking about building, changing or developing land or property, this page explains how to apply for planning permission and where to get help before you start. Getting advice early can save you time, cost and avoid problems later in the process.

Get advice before you apply

Before submitting a planning application, you can ask us for pre‑application advice. This is recommended and helps you:

• check whether your proposal complies with planning policies
• identify issues early
• understand what plans and information you’ll need to submit
• reduce delays once your application is submitted

Our short video explains how pre‑application advice works and what to expect.

How to submit a pre-application enquiry

All requests for pre‑application advice must be made online using our planning pre‑application enquiry form.

You’ll need to upload clear plans and information, including:

• a location plan showing the site outlined in red
• scaled drawings in metric measurements
• details of access, drainage and layout
• sketches or elevation drawings of what you propose

Photos of the site and draft design statements are helpful but optional.

What happens after you submit

We’ll send you written advice covering:

• relevant planning policies and guidance
• design, parking and impact on neighbours
• any obvious design or technical issues and how to address them
• what to include in a full application
• whether other permissions may be needed

Advice is informal and non‑binding, and is given without prejudice to the eventual decision of the Planning Authority. A formal decision is only made once a planning application is submitted and consulted on.

Submitting a planning application

When you’re ready, you can apply online for Planning Permission and other consents online via the Scottish Government’s ePlanning Portal.

Planning applications require a fee. You can find full details in our Planning Fees Charter.

You can use the ePlanning Scotland fee calculator to work out the amount you need to pay. If you apply online, you can pay your fee at the same time. You can also pay through our online payment service.

After you submit your application

Once you submit your planning application, we will check and validate it. We then assess your proposal against relevant planning policies before making a decision.

You can track the progress of your application at any time using our online planning portal.

To learn how planning decisions are made, you can read our Planning decision‑making procedures guide.

Non‑material variations

If you need to make a small change to an existing planning permission, this is called a non‑material variation.

You cannot submit these changes through the ePlanning Scotland website.

To request a change, please see our guidance on making changes to approved plans.