Businesses urged to apply for planning and building warrants before relaxation controls end on 30 September 2022.

The Highland Council is urging businesses - particularly those in the tourism and hospitality sectors – to be prepared for the end of relaxation of planning and building warrant controls on 30 September 2022.

In line with changes to the COVID-19 guidance from the Scottish Government many of the pandemic mitigations that were put in place in terms of the provision of temporary structures and their uses – are no longer required.

The Highland Council has been supporting business, throughout the pandemic by allowing a relaxation of planning and building warrant controls. This has included not insisting on planning applications or building warrant and completion certificates for temporary structures, operations and/or uses that would otherwise require permission. This was previously in line with Scottish Government guidance to planning and building standards authorities.

With revised guidance from Scottish Government, the Council intends to withdraw the relaxation of planning and building warrant controls on 30 September 2022.

Businesses are being encouraged to take steps to either obtain planning permission, building warrant and/or completion certificates, where these are considered appropriate, or remove any unauthorised development and/or cease any unauthorised operations/use by this date.

To find out if planning permission or building warrants are required visit https://self.highland.gov.uk/service/Development_enquiry or phone 01349 886608.

The Council’s pre-application advice service can advise on the likelihood of a development obtaining planning permission. 

All building standards enquiries should be emailed to building.standards@highland.gov.uk