Highland planning and building warrant relaxations set to end
The Highland Council is urging businesses - particularly those in the tourism and hospitality sectors – to be prepared for the end of relaxation of planning and building warrant controls on September 30.
In line with changes to the Covid-19 guidance from the Scottish Government, many of the pandemic mitigations put in place over provision of temporary structures and their uses are no longer required.
The relaxation of planning and building warrant controls included not insisting on planning applications or building warrant and completion certificates for temporary structures, operations and/or uses that would otherwise require permission. This was previously in line with Scottish Government guidance to planning and building standards authorities.
A council spokesperson said today: "With revised guidance from Scottish Government, the council intends to withdraw the relaxation. Businesses are being encouraged to take steps to either obtain planning permission, building warrant and/or completion certificates, where these are considered appropriate, or remove any unauthorised development and/or cease any unauthorised operations/use by this date.
To find out if planning permission or building warrants are required phone 01349 886608.
The council’s pre-application advice service can advise on the likelihood of a development obtaining planning permission.
All building standards enquiries should be emailed to building.standards@highland.gov.uk
