Submitting a Notice of Review

What is a notice of review

If you are unhappy with our decision on your planning application, the decision notice that you received from our planning service will indicate which one of the following options you must take to lodge an appeal:

• Apply for a review of the decision by our Planning Review Body
  • The Review body can only determine reviews of local scale applications determined (or not determined in the prescribed period) by planning officers
• Appealing the decision to Scottish Ministers through the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA)
  • The DPEA has no remit to determine cases that should be reviewed by the Planning Review Body.

If you are unsure whether or not you should be appealing to the DPEA or applying for a review through us, you should check the notes on your decision notice or contact the planning office who will deal with your enquiry as a matter of urgency.

• Read the Scottish Government's guidance notes
• Read our most frequently asked questions

On 9 June 2025 the Scottish Government introduced fees for reviews to our Planning Review Body and appeals to the Scottish Ministers.

How to apply for a review

• Fill out and return a notice of review form by email review.body@highland.gov.uk or the address below, not the planning office
• Submit via the eDevelopment Scotland portal
• Phone us on 01349 886608 and we will send a form out to you

Time limits

Regulations require that a review must be submitted within 3 months of the date that appears on your decision notice. We cannot accept a review after this time period, as this would be contrary to the regulations.

Fees

Any review lodged on or after 9 June 2025 will be subject to a fee as set out in The Town and Country Planning (Fees for Local Reviews) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.

Some types of development may benefit from a waiver or reduction in fees. The correct fee must be received before your review will be determined. Reviews lodged with an insufficient fee will be acknowledged but not progressed until any fee required has been received in full. Fees will be checked at the point of validation and you will be informed of any outstanding balance. The Fee Calculator on the eDevelopment portal will assist you with working out if any fee is required.

Documents you must submit

Along with your completed notice of review form, you must submit all documents, drawings or plans that you wish to rely upon. All information submitted at the planning application stage will automatically be reconsidered as part of the review, so this information need not be submitted again.

If you do not submit supporting documentation, the Review Body may either proceed to determine the review based on the information presented to them or may continue the review to receive further information. If you fail to submit supporting documentation that is referred to in your review, this will delay validating the review.

Read the Scottish Government's advice for applicants.