Aberdeen Planning Guidance and Supplementary Guidance 2023

The following Aberdeen Planning Guidance have been adopted as non - statutory Planning Advice. Supplementary Guidance: Planning Obligations was adopted as part of the statutory development plan alongside the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023.

This suite of documents sit alongside the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023 and provide more detailed information on its policies and sites. They will be used as material considerations in the determination of planning applications.

A number of the PDFs on this page are large file sizes and will take some time to open.

On 6 December 2023 the following has been adopted as Supplementary Guidance and now forms part of the statutory development plan alongside the Aberdeen Local Development Plan 2023.

• Planning Obligations

Health and Wellbeing

• Air Quality
• Noise

Placemaking by Design

• Energetica
• Temporary Buildings
• Amenity & Space Standards
• Sub-division and Redevelopment of Residential Curtilages
• Conversion of Buildings in the Countryside
• Development Along Lanes
• Materials
• Aberdeen Placemaking Process
• Big Buildings
• A Guide to Planning Consents for the Aberdeen Multis
• Landscape
• Stonecleaning
• Repair and Replacement of Windows and Doors
• Shops & Signs
• Repair and Reinstatement of Cast Iron Railings
• Outdoor Seating

Vibrant City

• Hierarchy of Centres
• Harmony of Uses
• Serviced Apartments

Supporting Business and Industrial Development

• Aberdeen International Airport & Perwinnes Radar

Meeting Housing and Community Needs

• Affordable & Specialist Housing
• Householder Development Guide
• Houses in Multiple Occupation and Overprovision *
• Children’s Nurseries
• Gypsy Traveller Sites
• Short-term Lets
• Student Accommodation

* The Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and Overprovision guidance refers to a map showing HMO concentrations, which can be viewed at the bottom of this page. 

Delivering Infrastructure, Transport and Accessibility

• Transport & Accessibility

Protecting and Enhancing the Natural Environment

• Open Space & Green Infrastructure
• Natural Heritage
• Flooding, Drainage & Water Quality
• Trees & Woodlands
• Food Growing
• Outdoor Access

Sustainable Use of Resources

• Waste Management Requirements for New Developments
• Resources for New Development

• Countesswells Development Framework & Phase 1 Masterplan - Part 1
• Countesswells Development Framework & Phase 1 Masterplan - Part 2
• Countesswells Development Framework & Phase 1 Masterplan - Part 3
• Countesswells Development Framework & Phase 1 Masterplan - Part 4
• Dubford Development Framework
• Energy Transition Zone Masterplan
• Former Davidson’s Mill Development Framework and Masterplan
• Friarsfield Development Framework
• Grandhome Development Framework - Part 1
• Grandhome Development Framework - Part 2
• Maidencraig Masterplan
• Newhills Development Framework
• Oldfold Development Framework and Masterplan
• Persley Den/Woodside Masterplan
• Rowett North Development Framework
• Bridge of Don AECC Development Framework
• Aberdeen Harbour Development Framework
• Greenferns Development Framework
• Loirston Development Framework
• Prime Four Business Park Development Framework
• Balgownie Centre, Bridge of Don Planning Brief
• Bon Accord Baths Planning Brief
• Broadford Works Design Brief
• Conservation Areas for Conservation Character Appraisals and Management Plan
• Denburn Valley Planning Brief
• River Don Corridor Framework
• RGU City Centre Planning Brief
• St Peters Nursery Site Redevelopment Brief

Additional guidance to follow:

• Health Impact Assessments
• Energy
• Heat Networks and Energy Mapping

Consultation and approval of Draft Aberdeen Planning Guidance and Supplementary Guidance

The Consultation covered the period Friday 24 February until Friday 21 April 2023.

A total of 30 respondents submitted comments during the consultation period. Officers reviewed, summarised and responded to the comments and, where necessary, outlined proposed changes to the draft documents. A review of the draft documents to take account of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), adopted by Scottish Ministers on 13 February 2023, was also undertaken due to NPF4 replacing former national planning guidance and policies in NPF3 and Scottish Planning Policy (SPP).

At the meeting of Council, on 3 November 2023, the results of the consultation and draft guidance, revised where necessary, were considered and approved.