Planning & Development

We try and keep an up-to-date list of developments that are likely to impact the community below but planning applications can be viewed and commented on by accessing the Scottish Borders Council planning portal. You can search for an application using a location or reference number. If making a comment online you will need to register and log in. A word of warning, after 30 minutes users are automatically timed out, which has caused many residents to lose their comments.  It is suggested that you draft your comment in a word document or email before logging onto the site and then copy it into the form.

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You can also submit your comments via email to PRS@scotborders.gov.uk or by letter to:

Planning and Regulatory Services

Council Headquarters

Newtown St. Boswells

Melrose

TD6 0SA.

 

Along with your comment, you will need to include: the date, your name and address, the reference number of the application and the address of the site. When submitting comments, you need to make it clear whether you wish to object or support the application, or whether you just wish to make a comment regarding the proposals. If, after having inspected the plans, you have any concerns about the proposals, you should submit your comments which should be restricted to 'material planning considerations. 

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In all cases, the council must make decisions in line with the local development plan unless 'material considerations' justify going against the plan. A material consideration is a planning issue which is relevant to the application and can include national policy, comments by the public and by organisations the council has consulted, the design of the proposed development, and the effect of the plan on the environment. The council must decide how important these material considerations are. More information on the Scottish planning system can be found HERE.

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There is no defined list of what is, and what is not a material consideration. Planners, planning lawyers and the courts spend huge amounts of time debating the amount of weight that should be attached to material considerations when considering whether or not they are material and whether they are sufficient to outweigh the Development Plan.

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Two main tests are used when deciding whether a consideration is material and relevant:

1. It should serve or be related to the purpose of planning. This means it should relate to the development and use of land.

2. It should fairly and reasonably relate to the particular application.

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According to SBC guidance, material planning considerations can include issues such as:

• Suitability of site

• Suitability of development

• Relationship with surrounding developments and uses

• The appearance of the proposal in terms of design

• Scale

• Siting and materials

• traffic, parking, Roads/Access

• Disturbance: e.g. noise, smell

• Loss of Privacy

• Economic or Community Benefits, where justified and evidenced

• Meeting Identified Needs

• Adequacy of infrastructure, including drainage

• Previous decisions on application site

• Impact on the natural or built environment

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Material planning considerations do not include:

• private legal or ownership matters

• the impact of a proposal on views from a property

• the impact on the value of the property

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More information on material considerations can be found HERE. 

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A crib sheet on submitting an objection can be found HERE.  

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These two websites offer support if you wish to comment on a planning application:

Planning Objections Scotland

Planning Aid for Scotland

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More information on the role and responsibilities of community councils in planning applications can be found using the links below:

CCs & Planning System Guidance 

CCs & Planning Applications 

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