Planning authorities use powers of delegation so that certain planning decisions can be taken by officers instead of being considered by elected members of the authority at the Planning Development Management Committee. Delegation to officers is an important means of adding efficiency to the planning processes.
The Consolidated Schemes of Delegation for Planning and Related Applications explains the circumstances in which planning officers can make decisions without referral to committee. The scheme covers matters in relation to the local category of development under section 43A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and for a broader range of matters under section 56 of the Local Government Act (Scotland) 1973.
You can download a copy of the scheme below:
For general information on Schemes of Delegations please see Scottish Government Circular 5/2013 (Schemes of Delegation and Local Reviews).