Masterplan Consent Areas

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced Masterplan Consent Areas (MCAs) as a new proactive consenting mechanism.  

Perth and Kinross Council will in future be able to use Masterplan Consent Area schemes as part of a placemaking approach to planning and consenting. It is a new way for the Council to shape new development in our area - enabling the type and quality of development we wish to come forward through a consenting masterplan, and to support delivery of development that can support local needs, priorities and outcomes.  

Unlike planning applications which are typically led by a developer, the preparation of Masterplan Consent Area schemes will be led by the planning authority, but can be taken forward through collaboration. 

The new provisions will allow Perth and Kinross Council to prepare a Masterplan Consent Area 'Scheme' setting out for particular places, the detail of what they are giving consent for, through the Masterplan Consent Area scheme. There will be requirements for publicity and consultation on individual schemes. 

MCA schemes can streamline consent, allowing issues to be considered as part of a joined-up approach, they can grant: 

• planning permission 
• roads construction consent 
• listed building consent, and 
• conservation area consent 

Within adopted Masterplan Consent Areas, development could be brought forward without the need for a full application as long as it is in line with the agreed scheme. 

More details about Masterplan Consent Areas are available in the Consultation Paper on the draft MCA Regulations - the Scottish Government's consultation closed on 22 May 2024. 

Consideration of the Duty to periodically consider making Masterplan Consent Area schemes  

Part 2 of the 2019 Act (Section 15) sets out the legal framework for preparing Masterplan Consent Areas. The full provisions from the Act relating to Masterplan Consent Areas and the associated regulations are not yet in force. We anticipate the Masterplan Consent Area 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. 

Council Officers have held initial discussions with Binn Ecopark about the potential to take forward a Masterplan Consent Area for Binn Ecopark, Glenfarg and we intend to check whether opportunities exist elsewhere to take forward Masterplan Consent Areas. We intend to progress this further once the legal provisions for making Masterplan Consent Areas are in force. 

The Scottish Government has indicated that Masterplan Consent Areas could be used to support delivery of the local development plan. We will consider whether it would be desirable to make any Masterplan Consent Areas 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.