Planning Hearings - August 26
Renfrewshire Council · 25 August 2026
Back to Planning and Climate Change Policy Board — 25 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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PUBLIC ___________________________________________________________________ To: Planning and Climate Change Policy Board On: 25 August 2026 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Planning Hearings ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 This report outlines the opportunity to introduce hearings to the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board in respect of planning applications which are to be considered and determined by the Board. 1.2 The introduction of hearings to the Board was identified as part of the National Planning Improvement Framework Action Plan. 1.3 If agreed a further report will be brought to the Board in November 2026 for consideration and will provide further details in respect of the how hearings would operate including matters relating to the scheduling of meetings and the policy relating to site visits. ________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendations 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: (i) Note that the introduction of hearings to the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board was highlighted as part of the adopted Action Plan which formed part of Renfrewshire’s National Planning Improvement Framework. (ii) Agree, in principle, to the introduction of hearings as part of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board at a date to be determined. (iii) Note that a further report will be presented to Board in November 2026 detailing how any implications of hearings will be overcome in particular in respect of the scheduling of meetings and requests for site visits.
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PUBLIC (iv) Note that in the event of hearings being introduced to the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, an annual evaluation and review report will be presented to the Board for consideration with suggestions of amendments and improvements to the policy and procedures which apply to planning hearings. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced a new approach to measuring the performance of planning authorities and made it mandatory for authorities to prepare a report on their performance after the end of each financial year. 3.2 The National Planning Improvement Framework (NPIF) was introduced in 2024 and required planning authorities to undertake a self-assessment of their performance while also inviting interested parties to a review workshop to further consider the performance of the respective planning authority. 3.3 Following the self-assessment and stakeholder review, an Improvement Action Plan was prepared and agreed in respect of Renfrewshire. 3.4 A report noting the process undertaken and detailing our Improvement Action Plan was presented to the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board in November 2024, while an update was provided to the Board in March 2026. 3.5 The Improvement Action Plan included the potential for hearings to be introduced to meetings of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board in respect of the consideration of planning applications. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Planning Hearings 4.1 Planning applications are presented to the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board (the Board) in circumstances as outlined within the Scheme of Delegation. 4.2 Where an application is considered by the Board a presentation is provided to members by the relevant planning officer. 4.3 There is currently no opportunity for any interested party to address the Board. 4.4 The potential for a hearing to be requested by an interested party in respect of each application which is considered by the Board would provide the opportunity for interested parties to address the Board directly and articulate their comments on the proposed development. 4.5 An interested party is defined as:
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PUBLIC ▪ Objectors/Supporters/Representees; ▪ Community Councils; ▪ Applicants/Agents; and ▪ Elected Members. 4.6 It should be noted that strict deadlines and time limits would be enforced in circumstances where a hearing is requested. 4.7 Appendix 1 of this report details indicative procedures and time limits which could apply. 4.8 It is considered that the introduction of hearings as part of the Board proceedings would enable interested parties to present verbal arguments directly to Board members. 4.9 Hearings would help create a more transparent decision-making process whereby interested parties can be heard and local concerns or complex issued can be fully explored and considered. 4.10 In addition to the above, where a hearing takes place, questions could be addressed directly by the relevant interested party, with the approval of the Convenor. Such an approach will enable decisions to be reached without the need for items to be continued or delayed to allow further clarity to be sought. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Other Matters 5.1 It should be noted that the introduction of hearings does have the potential to create longer meetings, however it is not considered this would be the case in respect of each meeting. 5.2 The introduction of hearings also presents the opportunity for the procedures relating to site visits to be considered and clarified. At present site visits are called at a meeting of the Board. However, in the event of hearings being introduced, it is considered that an alternative approach could be adopted whereby site visits occur prior to Board thus enabling decision to be taken on the day of the Board meeting. 5.3 It is recommended that the Board approve, in principle, the introduction of hearings in respect of planning applications to be considered and instruct officers to bring a further paper to the November 2026 meeting of the board providing further details on the introduction of hearings, including details relating to the scheduling of meetings and site visits. ___________________________________________________________________
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PUBLIC 6. Review and Evaluation 6.1. In the event that the board agrees to the introduction of hearings it is proposed that an annual evaluation and review report will be presented to the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board for consideration with suggestions of amendments and improvements to the policy and procedures which apply to hearings. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – None. 2. HR & Organisational Development – None. 3. Community/Council Planning – None. 4. Legal – None. 5. Property/Assets - None 6. Information Technology - None 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety - None 9. Procurement - None 10. Risk - None 11. Privacy Impact – None 12. COSLA Policy Position - None. 13. Climate Risk – None. 14. Children’s Rights – None. ___________________________________________________________________ Author: David Love, Chief Planning Officer Tel: 07483410182; Email: david.love@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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1 PUBLIC Planning and Building Standards Planning Hearings July 2026 Appendix 1
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Planning and Building Standards Planning Hearings – July 2026 2 PUBLIC 1. Table of Contents 1. Table of Contents ................................................................................ 2 2. Introduction ......................................................................................... 3 3. Planning Hearings ............................................................................... 4 4. How to request a Hearing .................................................................... 5 5. Procedure at Planning and Climate Change Policy Board .................. 6
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Planning and Building Standards Planning Hearings – July 2026 3 PUBLIC 2. Introduction 2.1 This document sets out the Council’s procedures which relate to planning hearings taking place at meetings of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board and also the procedures for undertaking a site visit. 2.2 Please note that the procedures outlined in this document do not apply in the circumstances of a national development or major development which are significantly contrary to the development plan. In such circumstances a pre-determination hearing will take place.
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Planning and Building Standards Planning Hearings – July 2026 4 PUBLIC 3. Planning Hearings 3.1 Planning applications are determined in line with the adopted Scheme of Delegation and are therefore determined in one of two ways: ▪ By appointed officers under delegated authority; or ▪ By Elected Members at a meeting of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board (or other relevant Board meeting or meeting of Council). 3.2 An application requires to be considered by members of the Planning and Climate Change Board in one of the following circumstances: ▪ The Planning Authority decides to determine which would otherwise fall to be determined by a person appointed do so; ▪ The application relates to a major development as set out in the Schedule to the Town and Country Planning (Hierarchy of Developments)(Scotland) Regulations 2009; ▪ The application relates to listed building consent for the demolition of a listed building and conservation area consent for demolition of a building in a conservation area; ▪ The application involves residential development of ten or more units on greenfield or undeveloped land; or on a site greater than 0.5 hectare which is greenfield or undeveloped land; ▪ The application involves residential development of five or more units on site within the greenbelt; or on a site greater than 0.3 hectare which is within the greenbelt; ▪ The application, if approved, would be considered significantly contrary to the Local Development Plan and also those applications which, if approved, would be significantly contrary to the overall objectives, and would undermine the aims and strategic priorities of the Local Development Plan; and ▪ Where, within 21 days of an application appearing on the Weekly List, a letter signed by three members if received, and where it sets out reasons why the matter should go before the Board, the Convenor, in consultation with the Chief Planning Officer, shall consider such a request and shall be authorised to decide whether or not to agree the request. 3.3 All applications which are considered by the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board could be subject to a hearing, subject to a request being made in line with the process noted in Section 4.
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Planning and Building Standards Planning Hearings – July 2026 5 PUBLIC 4. How to request a Hearing 4.1 An application will be subject to a hearing where a request is received from one of the following interested parties: ▪ Objectors/Supporters/Representees; ▪ Community Councils; ▪ Applicants/Agents; and ▪ Elected Members. 4.2 It should be noted that in order for objectors/supporters/representees and Community Councils to request a hearing they must first have submitted a competent written representation within the stated timeframe (during the initial statutory consultation/notification period). 4.3 Interested parties will be advised of the application being considered by Board seven clear days prior to the meeting. It should be noted that reference to clear days includes weekends and bank holidays. 4.4 Any interested party who wishes to request a hearing to enable them to address the board requires to submit such a request to the Planning Authority by 12noon on the Friday before the Board. Any request after this time will not be considered. 4.5 A request for a hearing can be submitted via email to dc@renfrewshire.gov.uk; by completing the online form at **to be inserted** or by completing the Request a Hearing Form and returning it to Development Standards, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Paisley.
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Planning and Building Standards Planning Hearings – July 2026 6 PUBLIC 5. Procedure at Planning and Climate Change Policy Board 5.1 The hearing would take place as part of the meeting of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board. The running order for the consideration of an application, subject to a hearing, would be as follows: (a) Convenor introduces agenda item; (b) Planning Officer presents the application; (c) Representees address the Board; (d) Applicant/Agent address the Board; (e) Local Ward Member (who is not a member of the Board) address the Board; (f) Planning Officer has the opportunity to clarify any points raised; (g) Board consider and discuss the application – further details may be sought from the Planning Officers(s) however it may be that those participating in the Hearing may be invited to address a question; (h) The application is determined. 5.2 Speaking parties will be required to limit their submissions to no more than 5 minutes duration for each person registered to speak. 5.3 Where there are multiple supporters/objectors/representees to an application, to prevent unnecessary repetition, it is strongly recommended that parties should group together and use a spokesperson to make a collective oral submission at the Board. 5.4 In the event of a spokesperson speaking on behalf of two or more people the time allowed to make the submission at Board may be extended to up to 10 minutes, with the prior agreement of the Convenor. 5.5 Local ward members, who are not members of the Planning and Climate Change Policy Board, will be required to limit their submission to no more than 5 minutes. The local member should register their intention to participate in the hearing in the same way as applicants/agents or those submitted representations – as outlined above. 5.6 To ensure fairness and consistency these time limits will be strictly enforced. 5.7 It is preferred that anyone participating in a hearing attends in person however requests for online participation will be considered by the Convenor. Meetings will be held in the Council Chamber at Renfrewshire House, unless otherwise advised. 5.8 Those who have indicated they wished to participate in the hearing will be ‘checked in’ as they enter the Council Chamber. This would ensure they have made a request to speak.
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Planning and Building Standards Planning Hearings – July 2026 7 PUBLIC 5.9 A schedule of speakers would be prepared in advance to enable the Convenor to call people forward at the correct time. 5.10 Any person participating in a hearing is accepting that they are participating in a session which is being streamed live online and the recording will be available later via the council website. 5.11 Presenting parties must adhere to the following rules: ▪ Oral submissions shall relate to their written submissions already lodged on the planning application. ▪ No new information shall be submitted in the form of new lines of argument, nor in the form of maps, diagrams, photographs, plans etc. ▪ No witnesses shall be called and there shall be no cross examination. ▪ The submission of frivolous, vexatious or plainly repetitive material will not be accepted. ▪ Abusive behaviour or abusive personal comments about other parties is strictly prohibited. ▪ It is not permitted to bring any photographs, plans or documentation for the benefit of the Panel nor make any electronic presentations to the Board.
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8 PUBLIC Planning and Building Standards Renfrewshire Council Renfrewshire House Cotton Street Paisley PA1 1BR