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Planning Applications

Information on planning applications, including checking whether permission is needed, how to apply for permission, viewing existing applications and planning enforcement.

 

Planning fee increase on 1 April 2026

Please be aware that the Scottish Government has set out the next phase of inflation-linked increase to planning fees which comes into force on Wednesday 1 April 2026. 

Fees for appeals to Scottish Ministers and fees for local reviews (to the Local Review Body) have also increased as have fees for Pre Application Enquiries and newspaper advertisement fees (will be £100) all of which come in on Wednesday 1 April 2026.

 

 

Development Management 

Any general development management enquiries should be submitted by email to customer.service@westlothian.gov.uk. These enquiries will be logged and passed to the appropriate staff member to respond to.

If you are looking for information on how to submit a planning application or a formal pre-application enquiry or have a current planning application which you would like an update on this can be obtained using the links further down this page.

Please note that for applications that a fee is payable per condition to discharge planning conditions on permissions and consents with a 2024 or later reference number. 

If you wish to submit information in respect of a specific application this can be done through the planning portal or emailed, with the planning reference number, to planning@westlothian.gov.uk

Some aspects of the way we work have changed following the recent pandemic. Benefits to some working practices, such as the submission of photographs, has been acknowledged and as a result, where appropriate, we would encourage the submission of photographs with planning applications and enforcement complaints. Case officers will be in touch with applicants or agents to request photographs and we would ask for your co-operation in facilitating such requests.

Do I Need Planning Permission?
You will probably need planning permission if you want to build something new, alter a building or change the use of a building or land.
Pre-Application Enquiry (Please be aware that revised fees will come into force on Wednesday 1 April 2026 replacing those below)
Pre-application advice gives customers who anticipate making an application for planning permission to the Council the opportunity to receive feedback on their proposals before making the application.
Apply for Planning Permission
Apply for planning permission, find out the planning fee and other consents which might be required.
View, object to or comment on a Planning Application
Use our planning portal to view the details of a planning application and submit an objection or comment. View, object to or comment on a planning application.
How is a planning application processed?
How to submit a planning application and an application of the process.
Planning Enforcement
We investigate and enforce alleged breaches of planning control.
Decisions, Reviews and Appeals
Find out about the planning application process and how to seek a review or make an appeal.
Listed Buildings, Conservation Areas and Scheduled Monuments
The historic environment of West Lothian plays an important part in the quality and character of the area. Our historic environment includes listed buildings, conservation areas, scheduled monuments, archaeology and designed gardens and landscapes. The protection and enhancement of the historic environment is important in order to enable all of us, and future generations, to value and enjoy it
Planning Condition Discharge
There is a fee payable of £119 per condition to discharge planning conditions on permissions and consents with a 2024 or later reference number. This fee is in line with The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.