How do I use this service?

This service allows anyone to submit planning and building application forms online through our two portals:

• eBuildingStandards
• ePlanning

Making an application online is generally a quicker and easier process for both the applicant and authority than completing an application on paper.

Which portal do I need to use?

That depends on what you want to do.

As a quick guide, we would recommend that you visit the ePlanning portal to apply for:

• Planning Permission,
• Householder application,
• Listed building consent,
• Conservation area consent, 
• Advertisement consent,
• Tree works, 
• Prior notifications, 
• Certificates of lawfulness, 
• Notice of review, 
• Certain appeals, and
• To submit other planning related forms.

You can visit the eBuildingStandards portal to apply for:

• A Building Warrant,
• An amendments to a Building Warrant,
• Temporary occupation or use,
• Notice regarding start of work,
• Notice of work stages complete,
• Completion certificate, and
• To submit other building standards related forms.

In many instances, users will need to use both portals at various times for their developments. For example, you may need to use ePlanning to obtain planning permission or make a householder application, and then use eBuildingStandards to apply for a building warrant and completion certificate.

How do I start an application?

You should be able to make an application in 6 steps:

1. Finding out what you need to apply for - there are many things that you can apply for on this site, and knowing what you need is the first step. If you're not familiar with the planning or building application processes, you can find out more from mygov.scot.

Both the ePlanning and eBuildingStandards portals have a 'Which Form Wizard' that can help you find the form that you need to complete. The wizards can be accessed by going to the respective portal, and selecting the 'Which form Wizard' button on the left hand menu.

2. Go to the relevant portal - First you'll need to log in. To get started on your application you will need to select either the ePlanning or eBuildingStandards buttons from the menu on the left-hand side of this screen.

3. Create a Proposal - the first step in the process is to create a Proposal; this process  is the same in both portals. You can go to the 'My Proposals' page and click on 'New Proposal' (located right above the Active and Deleted tabs). This process will involve:

• Selecting your site address by postcode, address, easting and northing, or map, and
• Giving your proposal a name and brief description.

4. Select an application form - at the end of this process, you will be able to add the application, review, or appeal form that you want to complete.

5. Fill out your application form, pay, and submit it - you'll then be able to fill out your application form.

6. Pay for your application and submit it - When you're ready, you'll be able to pay for your application and submit it along with any supporting documents that you want to upload to the site. Although different authorities have different payment options, they all allow you to pay using a credit / debit card through this site.

Once you've submitted your application, and we'll pass your forms and supporting documents along to your authority.

How can I find out the fee for my application?

In several ways.

1. Both the ePlanning and eBuildingStandards portals have their own fee calculators - these can be accessed by going to the respective portal, and selecting the Fee Calculator from the left hand menu. By answering a few questions about what you're looking to apply for, the calculators can assist you in working out the cost of your application.
2. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the calculated fees are correct, the resulting fee may not be exact. As all fees are paid directly to your authority (whether through the service or otherwise), they will determine on your application and also the fee.

We would always recommend checking the fee with your authority prior to submitting your application.

A list of authority contacts details is available here. 

Will I need a Location / Block Plan for my application?

You will need a Location or Block Plan for many Planning and Building applications. For more information on minimum requirements for location plans for planning applications plans click here.

If you do not yet have a plan, you can buy one through our approved suppliers.

We have chosen these suppliers because they:

• use Ordnance Survey data,
• offer a range of scales and plan types,
• are competitively priced and easy to use,
• offer dedicated customer service support, and
• offer compliant plans for Scottish Planning and Building Standards applications. 

You can click on the logos below to go to our three approved supplier sites and purchase a plan.

Where can I get help if I need it?

Assistance on using the service is available throughout the site:

• Help in completing application forms is available throughout the site by clicking on the Help icons: 

• User Guides are available at the top of the eDevelopment, ePlanning, and eBuildingStandards home pages.
• The Support tab in the top right-hand corner of the website contains easy-to-follow guidance for common issues, and contact details for your Local Authority and our Support Desk if you need further assistance.

Assistance on the planning and building processes is also available from your local or planning authority:

• Your Authority will assess and decide upon your application and some appeals. Many Authorities have an advice service to assist applicants and appellants.
• If you have a technical question about an application or aren't sure what you want to do, as a general rule, we would always recommend that you speak to a planning / building control officer in your authority beforehand. Contact details for all Scottish Local and Planning Authorities are available here.

For further information about the Scottish planning and building standards processes, we would recommend the following links:

• The Scottish Government websites, gov.scot and mygov.scot, both contain a host of information about the planning and building standards processes.
• The Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) assesses and decides upon many appeals made through this site. More information about the appeals process is available here.