Services
Planning - applications
Applications may be submitted by anyone. There are various guidelines which have to be followed when making decisions on a planning application:
Applications may be made for a number of purposes, including:
Full planning permission - for building development or changes of use; if permission is granted work can normally begin straight away. Full details of the proposal need to be submitted.
Planning permission in principle - for the principle of development only, such as a large housing development on a greenfield site. There might be no details of the proposal, apart from a site boundary, submitted. If permission is granted no development will be able to start until a further planning application, showing the details of the proposed development, is submitted and approved.
Listed building consent – for works to alter, extend or demolish a listed building, including internal works
Conservation area consent – to demolish the whole of an unlisted building within a conservation area
Advertisement consent – for certain types of advertisement and signage
Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed or existing use
Tree works – for proposed tree works to trees within a conservation area or subject to a tree preservation order
Mineral extraction or waste disposal
Hazardous substances consent
Supplementary planning guidance is in place to help applicant's submit a planning application and understand the key stages in the process
If you would like advice on development you are thinking of, call us on 01506 282456, or drop into County Buildings to speak to the duty planner, or email is at planning@westlothian.gov.uk
Significant changes have recently been made to the legislation governing planning in Scotland.
If you would like to discuss a development you are thinking of, we are happy to provide you with advice by calling us on 01506 282456 or drop into County Buildings to speak to the Duty Planner, or email us at planning@westlothian.gov.uk
How your application will be decided
Target periods have been set to give decisions on applications. We now have two months to decide local applications (this includes application from householders) and four months to determine major applications.
The council has a Scheme of Delegation, which sets out how applications will be determined in West Lothian. The guidance notes on Deciding Local Planning Applications and Deciding Major Planning Applications provide information on how the council will determine your application.
Under current regulations, your rights to challenge the council’s decision have changed. Whether you can seek a review or make an appeal depends on the classification of your application and the method in which it was determined:
Local applications - if you are unhappy with a decision for a local application, you can seek a review from the Local Review Body, unless it was determined by the Development Management Committee, in which case you have the right of appeal to Scottish Ministers.
Major application - if your application is a major application, you have the right of appeal to Scottish Ministers.
Planning decisions, appeals and reviews
Council committees which consider planning applications or reviews
Click on the name of the committee to find more information about the committee:
West Lothian Council (full meeting)
In some circumstances, where the proposal is considered to be is significantly contrary to the council’s development plan, a hearing will be heard in front of the Development Management Committee but the decision on the planning application will be taken by the full council. Further guidance on this should be obtained from Development Management directly if you think this may apply to your case via the duty number of 01506 282456 or e-mail planning@westlothian.gov.uk
If you would like to comment on a planning application, or address the Development Management Committee, please read the following guidance notes:
PAS works across Scotland to improve public engagement in planning and delivers a range of training and education programmes.
*subject to eligibility
Planning Helpline: 0845 603 7602 www.planningaidscotland.org.uk
Updated 08/10/12
Development Management
Submit or view a planning application. Staff contact details.
Development Plan
The structure plan and local plan provide guidance on the location of development across West Lothian.
Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG)
SPG documents and developer contribution policies for applicants.
