Planning legislation is complex.
Early guidance should be structured.

A rule-based system applying current Scottish permitted development legislation to deliver clear, transparent early-stage indication.

pd.planningdigital.co.uk

Property type

House, flat or other dwelling

Proposal dimensions

Depth, height and boundary distance

Site context

Listed status and designated areas

Likely permitted

Within permitted development limits

Further clarification

Additional detail required

Planning permission required

Proposal exceeds PD thresholds

How the system works

Structured inputs

Focused factual questions aligned with legislation.

Legislative criteria applied

Permitted development rules evaluated in real time.

Clear early-stage indication

Structured outcome with transparent reasoning.

Designed for modern planning services

  • Reduces avoidable planning applications
  • Supports early triage of enquiries
  • Encourages structured submissions
  • Promotes consistent interpretation
  • Reduces repetitive officer responses
Enquiry volume
Structured submissions
Officer time on repetitive enquiries

Operational insight from structured public interaction

When early guidance is delivered through structured rules, planning services gain visibility into enquiry patterns, outcome distribution and recurring legislative triggers.

Enquiry patterns

Understand proposal volumes, seasonal variation and enquiry intensity across permitted development categories.

Outcome distribution

Monitor proportions of likely permitted, clarification required and planning permission outcomes to identify recurring friction points.

Service efficiency signals

Quantify avoided officer time and assess how structured early guidance is shaping demand before formal submission.

Built on current Scottish permitted development legislation

  • Rule-based and traceable logic
  • Updated in line with legislative change
  • Non-binding outcomes based on information provided

Flexible deployment for local authorities

Link from council website
Embed within guidance pages
Use internally for enquiry handling
Deploy as structured demand-management and operational insight (low admin rollout)

Structured Demand Assessment Programme available for Scottish planning authorities.

View the permitted development system →

Structured early-stage guidance. Not a statutory determination.