Development Management
Scottish Borders Council's Development Management service currently processes around 2000 planning and related applications each year. The service also handles all enquiries relating to the need for planning permission and can offer informal advice to prospective applicants before an application is submitted. It also investigates all alleged breaches of planning control in the Scottish Borders.
Follow the links below for general advice on when planning permission may be needed, how to submit an application and the procedures involved when an application is being considered by the Council, as well as what happens after the decision is made.
Application forms and guidance notes are available to download, as are advice notes on different types of developments, including conservatories, porches and new housing in the countryside.
A weekly list of all planning and related applications received by the Council is also available.
You can also track the progress of your application on-line, or check on planning applications submitted for sites near you on our Public Access system.
Area office contactsWhat needs permission?
Before you submit your application
Application forms
Submitting your application
The application process
Objecting to a planning application
Unauthorised works and breaches of planning control
Weekly lists
Planning Committee Reports and Agendas
Planning Appeal decisions
Make a planning application on-line
Public Access is an on-line service provided by Planning and Building Standards. This allows you to access planning applications and building
warrants on-line. Detailed information is available from December 2005, with more limited information available prior to this
date. Please note that by using the Public Access system, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions of use.
- Please note that the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has instructed all Planning Authorities to remove certain personal information from their websites. This involves searching through and redacting (editing electronically) many thousands of pieces of correspondence. Until this has been done, Scottish Borders Council has no option but to remove information from our website. We have started work on ‘live’ planning applications in order that people may continue to gain access to the fullest range of information when viewing current proposals. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. This does not prevent you from making an online application or representation and we would urge that you still do this. All personal details will be removed from new online submissions.
- Owing to reasons beyond the Council's control, the online application facility has not yet been updated to reflect the changes to the planning legislation that came into effect on 3 August. Whilst it is still possible to apply online, you should note that the Council will now undertake neighbour notification, and that applications for "Outline Planning Permission" will be registered as applications for "Planning Permission in Principle" and that applications for "Reserved Matters" will be registered as applications for "Approval of Matters Specified in Conditions". We apologise for any confusion or inconvenience that this may cause
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