Background
Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) as a new planning authorisation mechanism. An MCA would allow planning authorities to proactively consent schemes which reflect the quality and type of development they wish to see in a specific area, reducing risk and increasing certainty for investors.
Development within an adopted MCA area, in line with the agreed scheme could be brought forward without the need of a planning application. Where appropriate an MCA can approve planning permission, road construction consent, listed building consent and conservation area consent, frontloading scrutiny and streamlining the planning process.
Community engagement would be required during the preparation of an MCA scheme, similar to the requirements for national developments and major developments. Statutory consultees would also be consulted in the preparation of MCA schemes ensuring heritage, environmental and other significant issues are appropriately considered.
Scottish Government does not intend to fully introduce MCA provisions until late 2024, however, Schedule 5A paragraph 5 of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 has been enacted, requiring planning authorities to consider whether they desire to make a scheme for a part or parts of their district, and to publish a statement regarding their consideration, by 25 July 2024.
More details regarding Masterplan Consent Areas can be found in the Scottish Government's Masterplan Consent Areas: Consultation on Draft Regulations (consultation closed 22 May 2024).
Dundee City Council statement on consideration of making a Masterplan Consent Area
The following statement for the consideration on making a Masterplan Consent Area was approved at the Fair Work, Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee on the 10th of June 2024.
Part 2 of the 2019 Act (Section 15) sets out the legal framework for preparing MCAs. The full provisions from the Act relating to MCAs and the associated regulations are not yet in force. We anticipate the MCA provisions being fully in place later in 2024. However, Schedule 5A Paragraph 5 is in force and requires planning authorities to consider whether it would be desirable to make a scheme for a part or parts of their district, and to publish a statement as to their consideration of that, by 25 July 2024.
As the MCA regulations are not yet in place, the Council have not yet identified or assessed potential locations for which it may be desirable to bringing forward an MCA scheme.
The Scottish Government has indicated that MCAs could be used to support delivery of the Local Development Plan. Once the legal basis for preparing MCAs is in place, the Council will consider whether it would be desirable to make any Masterplan Consent Area as part of our work on delivery linked to the Local Development Plan's Delivery Programme.
This Statement fulfils the Council's legal requirements under Schedule 5A Paragraph 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, as amended.
The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (Section 16E) requires planning authorities to prepare and maintain a list of people interested in acquiring land in the authority's area for self-build housing, and to publish that information. By registering your interest you will help us find out more about the demand for self-build within Dundee. We will use this information to inform future planning policy and guidance.
